Meet Our Compassionate Team
Our team of professionals is here to provide you with the service you need no matter what your case involves. We have over 60 years of experience engaging the general practice of law and performing trial practice in all state and federal courts. Our associates are highly skilled and educated in personal injury law and are here to help you understand and protect your rights. Call us today at (203) 756-7408! Our professional attorneys at law are on your side!
Eugene L. DeFronzo (1936-2023)
Eugene L. DeFronzo passed away on October 13, 2023 at the age of 87. He was a native of Waterbury. He attended Woodrow Wilson Grammar School and Crosby High School and graduated from the University of Michigan with honors and the University of Virginia Law School. He served more than ten years as an officer in the United States Army Reserve. Connecticut admitted him in 1960 and the U.S. Federal Court in 1962. He began practicing law in Waterbury since 1961, concentrating on Personal Injury law. He settled thousands of cases for thousands of clients in that capacity, the settlements totaling millions of dollars.
He was a dedicated long-distance runner. He ran 760 marathons (26.2 miles), including many ultra-marathons (more than 26.2 miles), and holds many of the New England records for the marathon. He ran a marathon in every state eleven times, as well as one in every providence and territory of Canada twice. Both of those are New England records.
He was devoted to giving his clients fast, efficient service and treating them so that they felt at home when they visited his office for a case. To speak to our professional team or discuss your case, call (203) 756-7408 today.
Attorney Daniel A. Petroskey, Owner
Dan Petroskey is the owner of DeFronzo & Petroskey, P.C. He was admitted to practice law in Connecticut in 2004. He has practiced exclusively in the area of Plaintiff's Personal Injury, representing thousands of clients in matters involving motor vehicle accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, slip-and-falls, trip-and-falls, premises liability cases and dog bites.
Dan was previously an Associate Attorney at the firm from 2013 to 2019, and he returned in 2021 as Attorney DeFronzo's law partner, becoming the first Partner in the firm's 60-plus year history.
Dan was born and raised in Connecticut, and he attended North Branford High School, where he played basketball and tennis, earning All-State honors in both sports in his senior year.
After high school, Dan attended Colby College in Waterville, Maine. He was a 4-year member of the men's basketball team that qualified for post-season play in three of his four years.
Continuing his streak of attending schools in cold, wintry climates, Dan attended law school at Albany Law School in Albany, New York. In 2006, Dan was admitted to practice law in New York.
Dan lives in Wallingford with his wife, two children and pets. He has coached youth sports in North Branford and Wallingford and is an approved foster for dogs looking for forever homes. He enjoys golfing, has bowled a perfect 300 game, and reads legal thrillers/crime fiction novels when he has the time.
Dan's message to clients:
"I believe the most important quality a personal injury attorney can have is to REALLY CARE ABOUT THEIR CLIENTS. Clients are not just numbers whose cases will one day settle and generate a fee for the firm. Clients are real people whose lives have been impacted due to someone else's negligence. I promise to do everything I can to make you feel heard, understood, and most importantly, valued and appreciated. I cannot guarantee the outcome of your case, but I can promise to work as hard as I can to get you the best possible outcome in the most efficient time."
Call (203) 756-7408 today for personalized personal injury representation in Waterbury, CT, and surrounding areas.
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Ivelisse A. Cruz, Legal Assistant and Office Manager
Ivelisse A. Cruz is the Office Manager and Legal Assistant. She has been working at the firm for over 26 years. She attended Wilby High School in Waterbury. She has a Bachelor of Science from Teikyo Post University and a Masters in Political Science from Southern Connecticut State University.
Former Governor Jodi Rell appointed her to be a public member for the Board of Examiners of Nursing, and she served for almost three years. She received the Parent Leadership Award from the Waterbury Public Schools in 2018. She is currently a member of the Exchange Club of Waterbury and a board member of Children's Community School.
Ivelisse has always been interested in law and feels inspired and fulfilled helping others, especially the Hispanic community. Her fluent, bilingual capabilities assist her in handling all of our Spanish-speaking clients.
"I enjoy working at the firm. In 26 years, I have learned so much from Attorney DeFronzo, the firm's founder. He taught me that every case and client is different, but they all deserve the best results. I love my job as a Legal Assistant. I enjoy helping our clients by getting positive results, answering their questions, or simply listening to them. It is gratifying when clients ask for me and when our clients appreciate my help. As the Office Manager, I take pride in what I do. It is rewarding to be able to assist in the success of the firm."
Milly Martinez, Paralegal
"My job is to work with people. I love working with people. I love to help others in need. Clients come to our office in need of help, and we can help them. Sometimes they just have questions that, even though they may seem simple to me, to them it's confusing and hard to follow. It is self-rewarding to be able to do what I love. I love to work here because we have a big clientele, largely Hispanic, who need my service. I love to work for Attorney DeFronzo because he is consistent with what he wants and expects. Attorney DeFronzo makes me feel comfortable. It is also close to home, and they understand my obligations of being a single parent and a good mother."
John B. Myer, Associate
John B. Myer is a lifelong Connecticut resident. He is a graduate of the University of Hartford, where he obtained a Bachelor's degree in Politics and Government. He continued his education at Quinnipiac University School of Law and obtained a Juris Doctorate in 1999. While studying at Quinnipiac University, he achieved numerous awards, including three Distinguished Academic Achievement awards and an award for Excellence in Clinical Work. He was a member of the Moot Court Honor Society and received an award for Outstanding Achievement.
John has practiced law continuously for over twenty years and has experience representing plaintiffs and defendants in personal injury and workers' compensation claims. He has obtained results for his clients through both jury trials and settlements. He has successfully pursued Compensation for injured workers through the Formal Hearing process and appeal at the Workers' Compensation Commission and the Compensation Review Board. He is admitted to the Connecticut Bar and the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut.
John is a Life Member of the Bethlehem Volunteer Fire Department and has been a member for 30 years. He served as Chief of the Department from 2008 to 2010. He is a state-certified Fire Officer and was a state-certified Emergency Medical Technician for over 20 years. He obtained certification from the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency as a hazardous materials technician. In responding to many calls for help from residents of his community, he understands what his clients are going through when they have sustained injuries. His experience as an Emergency Medical Technician has given him a unique understanding and perspective when reviewing accident reports and medical records.
John's commitment to his community and willingness to volunteer in a hazardous occupation carries over into the practice of law. He enjoys obtaining results for his clients and helping them recover from sometimes life-altering injuries.
