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NEWS JUNE 14, 2021 ■ 15
The Connecticut Law Tribune named her a “New
Leader of the Law” in 2012.
Cardillo participated in question-and-answer
session for litigation innovators. Her answers have
been edited for news style.

Connecticut Law Tribune: Part of your practice
is in the area of real estate law, as you’ve conducted
real estate re-use studies, housing market studies
and financial evaluations of a supportive housing
program. How has the real estate market changed in
the past 10 years, and what has that meant for real
estate attorneys?
Laura Cardillo: The Connecticut market for
commercial properties has had its ups and downs.
There are certain property types, like warehouses,
distribution centers, assisted-living facilities and Pullman & Comley member Laura Cardillo.
multi-family housing, that have exploded over the Courtesy photo
past 10 years, whereas other types of commercial There have not been too many economic redevel-
properties like nursing homes, hospitality and retail opment projects around the state in the past several
properties, like malls and anchor department stores, years.
have suffered tremendously. CLT: You are an active member of the women’s
Certain types of commercial properties, like attorney section of the Hartford County Bar Associ-
central business district office spaces, have re- ation. What do you believe are the biggest obstacles,
mained status quo. Single-family housing values if any, facing women attorneys today within the
have continued to climb over the past few years, Connecticut legal profession?
as interest rates have remained low and inventory Cardillo: It is the age-old obstacle: that of balance.
has been tight. The pandemic has thrown a wrench in many
Real estate attorneys have been busy as trans- women attorneys’ daily lives as they attempt to bal-
actions have remained steady, even through the ance work and family.
pandemic. While many employers are understanding
CLT: You also handle eminent domain proceed- of the challenges facing women attorneys, the
ings and have tried several eminent domain appeals statistics indicate women continue to leave the
in the Superior Court. What is new in the world of practice of law in greater numbers than their
eminent domain and what might our readers not be male counterparts.
aware of when it comes to the topic? CLT: Are there any big opportunities for your
Cardillo: Eminent domain is not as robust in practice area in 2021?
Connecticut as in other parts of the country, which Cardillo: As I represent primarily commercial
is in large part because so many areas of the state are property owners, the pandemic presents sig-
fairly well-developed already. nificant opportunities to assist clients that own
The typical types of takings we see are partial tak- commercial properties hit the hardest over the
ings for a road, bridge or other public works project. past 15 months and are undergoing revaluations
Total takings are rather rare and usually occur only as of Oct. 1, 2021.
because the land necessary for the public works Assessors should be taking into account the long-
project renders the remainder parcel unusable or term effects of the pandemic on certain property
noncompliant with zoning requirements. ■ Continued on PAGE 16

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