Mei-wa Cheng brings to Callahan & Fusco decades of diverse and deep legal experience in both the public and private sectors. While still a law student, she clerked for the Honorable Alan Shiff in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the District of Connecticut. Following graduation, she clerked for two years in the State Supreme and Appellate Courts, working with her law school mentor, the late Justice David Borden, and was personally sworn into the Connecticut bar by Chief Justice Ellen Peters, herself. During the following years, Ms. Cheng was in private practice with one of the most sophisticated boutique commercial transactions and litigation firms in the region, representing national and international clients in State and Federal courts. Broadening her experiences to nonprofit agencies, she represented hundreds of prisoners in their civil rights claims from inception through appeal, in State and Federal courts.
Ms. Cheng then practiced for many years as in-house counsel for real estate and business development companies, handling all operational, transactional, and litigation work including corporate formation and governance, regulatory compliance, administrative law, real estate financing and development, title, land use, construction, permitting and licensing, property tax, insurance, employment and worker’s compensation. She has negotiated and drafted over a 100 leasing, services and construction contracts. Other work experiences include working as a licensed property and casualty insurance producer for a national leader in brokering specialty insurance in management and professional liability coverages. As a broker, Ms. Cheng handled hundreds of E&O, D&O, EPL, privacy liability and cybersecurity policies.
Her breadth of experience in civil litigation and appellate procedure is a formidable asset in practicing in civil litigation and insurance defense work, including general liability, premises liability, transportation, product liability, professional liability, insurance coverage, employment, construction, contract, and partnership issues. Ms. Cheng has led settlement negotiations, arbitration, court supervised and private mediation, often achieving 60-80% reduction in client liability exposure. Combined with Callahan & Fusco’s innovative partnership with cutting edge technology and commitment to service, Ms. Cheng’s experience and legal skills offers our clients uniquely qualified counsel for every civil liability matter.
Education
Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut (B.A. dual degrees in English Literary Writing & Intercultural Studies, 1986)
University of Connecticut School of Law (J.D., 1992)
Bar Memberships
Connecticut (1993)
District of Columbia (1983)
Court Admissions
United States District Court for the District of Connecticut (1983)
Awards and Professional Affiliations
Connecticut Bar Association, Member
MetroHartford Alliance, Board Member of the Hartford Chamber of Commerce
Hartford 2000, Founding Member of Pivotal Community Action Organization
World Affairs Council, Member
South Hartford Small Business Association, Founding Member
Trinity College Alumni Association
Hartford Business Journal – “40 Under 40” – Business Development Recognition
Riverfront Recapture – Competitive Racing Coxswain