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CLT: Tell us what you’ve seen as far as any ports to clients without judicial or prosecutorial
uptick in crimes related to cyberbullying and ha- approval. I have heard from many clients that their
rassment. How prevalent is that today and what co-defendants or relatives received copies of police
can be done about it? reports when they should not have been provided
Berke: It is easier for people to harass others when copies of these documents.
they can hide behind social media platforms.
Certain social media platforms, such as Snapchat, CLT: What distinguishes your practice from
where statements are only viewable for a limited pe- others? What makes you unique?
riod, have made the prosecution of cyberbullying Berke: Experience, accessibility and creativity.
more complicated. We have successfully tried more criminal matters
than many of our colleagues.
CLT: What’s the biggest misconception out Then, there is the empathy we have towards our
there today about attorneys, like yourself, who clients and their families. The events surrounding
represent criminal defendants? their arrest are among the worst moments in their
Berke: Criminal defense attorneys ensure that the lives. Our willingness to think out of the box and
accused receive fair treatment by a system that often create unique defenses likely distinguishes us from
is biased against them. other practitioners.
Many people believe criminal defense attorneys We realize that it is not always convenient to meet
don’t operate ethically. Many of us constantly seek during normal work hours, and are easily accessible
advice from our colleagues when dealing with ethi- after usual business hours. ■
cal issues which arise frequently. There is always a
tension between accommodating client’s request Robert Storace covers legal trends, lawsuits and
and the limitations placed on attorneys. analysis for the Connecticut Law Tribune. Follow
A common example of this tension is the rule of him on Twitter @RobertSCTLaw or reach him at
practice which prohibits the disclosure of police re- 203-437-5950.

Partner Hires Defense Attorney

After Shooting in Litchfield

By Robert Storace

oon after Cramer & Anderson put its longtime he was cooperating with investigators. They haven’t
partner Robert Fisher Jr. on leave and the Connect- charged him with a crime.
Sicut State Police said the attorney was the subject of The latest news from the state police came Friday
a homicide investigation, Fisher retained criminal de- afternoon via a press release in which investigators
fense attorney William Conti to represent him. are looking for witnesses to “any erratic operation or
Police are looking into the details surrounding interaction of two vehicles traveling eastbound” in
the June 7 shooting death of 39-year-old Matthew the area of Route 202 in Litchfield.
Bromley in the parking lot of Cramer & Anderson’s Police said the vehicles—a 2002 Saab 9-3SE and a 2016
Litchfield office. Audi A5 convertible—both had Connecticut plates, but
The day after Bromley was shot in the head, police didn’t say if they know who owns the cars in question.
named Fisher a subject of the investigation, and said ■ Continued on PAGE 12

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