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CONNECTICUT MOVERS OCTOBER 26, 2020 ¦ 3

Big Honors to Connecticut Lawyers

By Michael Marciano

Robinson & Cole’s White Wins Am- May 2019. The award was established by
President John F. Kennedy in 1961 and is
bassador Award
Robinson & Cole manufacturing indus- the highest recognition any U.S. entity can
try team Chair Jeffrey J. White is among six receive for significant contributions to the
business leaders to receive the Connecticut expansion of U.S. exports. Robinson &
District Export Council’s 2020 Ambas- Cole was the only law firm in the country
sador Award, recognizing outstanding to receive the honor in 2019. White was
contributions and leadership in regional also recently recognized as a “New Eng-
exports and manufacturing, particularly land Trailblazer,” this year by Law.com
during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jeffrey J. White of and the Connecticut Law Tribune.
Robinson & Cole in
Recognizing all of this year’s winners, Hartford, Connecticut The CTDEC, a Connecticut not-
CTDEC Chairman John Schuyler said (courtesy photo) for-profit, is affiliated with the U.S.

“Each one of these dedicated professionals has given Department of Commerce Export Assistance Cen-
their time, expertise and business wisdom to support ter in Middletown, Connecticut.
companies in our region during this unprecedented
time. This award recognizes their commitment to WBDC To Honor Wiggin & Dana’s Patti Melick
the business community and our nation.” The Women’s Business Development Council of
White was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Connecticut’s annual Women Rising Gala on Oct.
Commerce to serve on the CTDEC for the 2020- 30 will honor Wiggin and Dana Partner Patti Melick
2022 term, and he has been called one of the most with the Patricia Billie Miller Award for Outstand-
active members this year. Appointment is based on ing Community Service.
international trade leadership in the local commu- As an accomplished life sciences lawyer who has
nity and ability to influence the local environment helped numerous clients grow and bring their inno-
for exporting, among other factors. vations to market over her 25 year career at Wiggin
This year, White spearheaded the Robinson & Cole and Dana, Melick chairs the life sciences practice at
manufacturing industry team’s involvement in a CO- Wiggin and is a partner in the firm’s corporate de-
VID-19 special topics conference calls series presented partment and the mergers and acquisitions practice.
by the U.S. Department of Commerce in partnership She also serves on the firm’s pro bono committee,
with the CTDEC. Topics included “Force Majeure is a member of The Women’s Network and is a past
Both for Contracts/Suppliers, Cancellation of Trade member of the firm’s executive committee.
Shows,” “Employment Issues Related to Teleworking,” In addition to Melick, honorees will include Vanessa
and “Price Gouging and Government Investigations.” Abrahams-John, director of global diversity, inclusion
The programs reached more than 3,000 companies. and talent acquisition at Linde; Laura Drynan, part-
White has been invited to speak at The White ner at Bourgeon Capital Management; and Kathleen
House, U.S. Department of Commerce events and Silard, president and CEO at Stamford Health. Visit
by other manufacturing trade associations. He has ctwbdc.org for tickets and information.
worked with economic development agencies to sup- ¦

port direct foreign investment into the United States. Michael Marciano is bureau chief of the Con-
Robinson & Cole credited White for helping the necticut Law Tribune. He can be reached at
firm earn the President’s “E” Award for Export Ser- [email protected] or call 646-957-3022. On
vice by the United States Secretary of Commerce in Twitter: @BreakingCTLaw

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