Joseph Dornfried

Partner

New Haven
jdornfried@carmodylaw.com

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203.575.2621

Legal Services

Education

Fairfield University, B.A., 1984 ~ magna cum laude
University of North Carolina, J.D., 1987 ~ with high honors

Admissions

Bar Admissions

Connecticut
Massachusetts

Court Admissions

U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut

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Home » Our Team » Joseph Dornfried

Joe is a business lawyer who brings a comprehensive view to commercial and corporate transactions. Joe works with clients on all aspects of their transaction and takes time to understand their goals. Joe uses his experience and practical approach to develop strategies and solutions from a legal and business perspective. Joe advises clients on refining and implementing structures consistent with a company’s interests, including equity arrangements, navigating competing interests within a business, including succession planning for closely held entities, and serving as a strategist as clients seek to grow (or exit) their business.

“Joe is the best business attorney I have ever worked with in my 45-year career. He was well organized and always came with solutions to whatever problems confronted us. Always prompt, always prepared.”

– Senior Utility Executive

“Joe is a creative, thorough and expert business lawyer who epitomizes the trusted advisor that is capable of delivering objective and constructive legal advice to achieve important corporate objectives.”

– Company President

“Joe’s intellectual tenacity and practical persistence has been invaluable in negotiating and consummating complex commercial transactions.”

– Construction Project Director

Affiliations

Connecticut Bar Association
New Haven Bar Association

Distinctions

AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings

Community

Berlin Lions Club (Knight of the Blind; Ambassador of Sight)
United Way of Greater New Haven, Board Member

Experience

Appointed as business lead in the public auction of a retail energy business, including fatal flaw due diligence, development of divestiture strategy for board approval, assembly and management of core working team, and orchestration of the sales process that resulted in a successful transaction having a value in excess of $100,000,000.
Led legal team that developed owner’s construction contracting strategy for an infrastructure project that cost in excess of $300,000,000 and negotiated related contracts with an aggregate value in excess of $75,000,000.
Counsel to an international restaurant management company (including the negotiation of exclusive franchise rights for a fast-food chain in a European country and the development of high-end restaurants sponsored by a sports icon).
Served as legal and business advisor in the divestiture of an international power generation company, including the dismantling and exporting a multi-million-dollar plant.
Worked as member of the team that successfully developed and constructed several renewable energy facilities (e.g., solar, wind, and fuel cells).
Structured and negotiated some of the first sales of operating transmission and distribution facilities in the New England electric industry.
Restructured and terminated electricity purchase agreements having a value in excess of $850,000,000 in connection with a securitization transaction.

Remote Member Meetings for Connecticut Nonstock Corporations During the COVID-19 Emergency

May 15, 2020

On Wednesday, May 13th, Governor Ned Lamont issued Executive Order NN temporarily permitting Connecticut nonstock corporations to conduct member meetings, including annual meetings, remotely. This Executive Order allows Connecticut nonstock corporations to hold member meetings and conduct corporate business without in-person gatherings during the COVID-19 emergency. Executive Order NN creates
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Loans and Tax Incentives for Businesses Under the CARES Act

April 04, 2020

On March 27th, 2020, Congress enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) to provide relief to struggling businesses through the newly expanded SBA Section 7(a) Paycheck Protection Program, the amended SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, SBA Emergency Grants, and Mid-Size Business direct loans. 7(a) Loans—Paycheck
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