Moderator: Ernie Mattei
Ernest “Ernie“ Mattei received his BA from Trinity College in 1970. After graduation, Ernie enlisted in the United States Army serving with the Second Infantry Division on the DMZ in the Republic of South Korea. Following his military service, he attended Georgetown University Law Center where he was an editor on the Georgetown Law Journal, graduating in 1975.
Ernie spent his entire legal career with Day, Berry and Howard/Day Pitney LLC, with exemplary passion and professionalism as a trial lawyer, with an emphasis on complex commercial litigation, insurance coverage, and insurance defense related matters. He takes pride that he has tried over 80 cases to verdict or judgment in federal and state courts throughout the United States.
During his career, Ernie was President of the Hartford County Bar Association, President of the Oliver Ellsworth Inn of Court, Chairman of the Federal Grievance Committee for the District of Connecticut and served on numerous bar association committees and sections. In addition, Ernie has mentored and guided young lawyers, minority law students, and Trinity College students.
Following his retirement as a Day Pitney partner in 2020, Ernie has remained active in the Connecticut Bar Association and the Hartford County Bar Association, currently serving as President of the Hartford County Bar Foundation.
Ernie is a recipient of the CBA‘s Edward F Hennessy Professionalism Award, the HCBA’s President’s Award for Excellence, the Connecticut Italian American Bar Association’s Legal Achievement Award, the Trinity Club of Hartford Person of the Year Award, and the Father of the Year Award by the American Diabetes Association.
Ernie and his wife, Mickey, are active in the lives of their four children, their spouses and 11 wonderful grandchildren. They spend time in both Connecticut and Rhode Island where Ernie is now on the Executive Committee of the Weekapaug Fire District and serves as Beach Commissioner.
