David A. Baram

David A. Baram, Managing Member of Baram, Tapper & Gans, LLC, has many years of municipal experience, having served as Mayor of Bloomfield (1983-1989), Chairman of the Capitol Region Council of Governments (1987-1989), President of the Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce (1997-1998) and Chairman of the Bloomfield Center Fire District Board of Commissioners (2006 – 2018 ). David’s years in government service have enabled him to develop a high level of experience in the areas of municipal law, land use and zoning, administrative hearings and appeals, and zoning litigation. His familiarity with the business community provides David with unique insight in his practice of business, commercial and real estate transactions, formation of businesses and not for profit entities, employment law and probate/succession planning. Business clients seek his advice in overcoming town, state and federal regulatory obstacles as well as negotiating contracts, loans and commercial transactions. He is frequently called upon to review and draft employment contracts, personnel manuals, severance agreements, commercial documents, and to litigate or advise on issues of employment discrimination.

Baram was elected to the Connecticut State House of Representatives for the 15th District in a special election on March 24, 2009. He was re-elected in 2010,  2012,  2014 and 2016. David was Chair of General Law, and served on the Judiciary Committee and Banking Committees. He was also appointed to the Speaker’s Committee on Domestic Violence and the Speaker’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Municipal Opportunities and Regional Efficiencies (MORE). He was also appointed Chair of a Task Force to revise the Real Estate Disclosure Form, Co-Chair of an Alimony Reform Committee, and Co-Chair of the Cadmium in Children’s Jewelry Task Force.

In November 2018 Baram was elected Judge of Probate for the Tobacco Valley Probate District. He still maintains his law office and practice.

David served as Chairman of the Bloomfield Democratic Town Committee from 2006 to 2017 and is Past President of the Jewish Federation Association of Connecticut (JFACT).He is former President of JFACT Fund.  He is a board member and past chair of the membership committee of the Hartford Jewish Community Center. David is a former member of the Board of Directors for the Greater Hartford Jewish Federation and is past chair of its Community Relations Council. He was a board member of the SummerWind Performing Arts Center in Windsor. David was President of the Connecticut Valley Region of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ) . He was also the Vice President of the Solomon Schecter Day School and chaired its $10 million Building Committee. He was a member of the State of Connecticut – Israel Exchange Commission. He is a past President of Beth Hillel Synagogue and Federation Homes, Inc. and was Chairman of Bloomfield’s Charter Revision Commission.

A long time community activist, David is known for his sensitivity to community and family issues. He provides legal representation and mediation to individuals in a variety of family matters. He uses his background, negotiating and courtroom skills to protect their rights in matters of child custody, support, alimony, and property distribution. He draws on this knowledge to draft financial, separation and prenuptial agreements.

Some of David’s zoning matters include: a fueling facility for Stop & Shop, relocation of a CVS store, improvements to the First Cathedral Church, condominiums for Chase Enterprises, a Shell gas station convenience store, the Sperry’s Glen housing; development of a medical office building for CGR Medical Development LLC and a new fire station for the Blue Hills Fire District.

He received his B.A. from the University of Connecticut in 1975 and his law degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law in 1978. He is a member of the American, Connecticut and Hartford County Bar Associations, as well as the Family Law and Employment Law Sections of the Connecticut Bar Association. He is also admitted to practice before the United States District Court.

David has received numerous recognitions for his community activities including: Connecticut Jaycees Outstanding Young Citizen’s Award (1983), CRCOG Regional Leadership Awards (1987 and 1990), CIGNA’s Bloomfield High School “David Baram Scholarship” (1990), the Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce “Oliver Filley Award” (1995), the CT Valley USCJ Regional Leadership Award (2004), the Israel Bonds Leadership Award (2007),  Rotary’s Paul Harris Award (2010) CT Forrest and Park Associations recognition for his authorship of the Land Use Recreation Immunity Bill (2011),  the Town Crier Award for COST (Council of Small Towns) for his legislation on the Land Use Recreation Immunity Bill (2012), and the AARP Distinguished Service Award for his work on elder issues. He was honored as Co-Legislator of the Year by the Associated Builders & Contractors Association of Connecticut in 2017.

David was named to the 2010 New England Super Lawyers list in the areas of Business/Corporate, Land Use/Zoning and Family Law, and was named to America’s Most Honored Professionals 2011.

Email David A. Baram at dbaram@ctattys.com.

Baram, Tapper & Gans, LLC
Three Regency Drive
Bloomfield, CT
(860) 242-2221
www.ctattys.com

Joseph M. Tapper

Joseph M. Tapper, an attorney with Baram, Tapper & Gans, LLC became Of Counsel to the firm on July  1, 2014. He is the former President and founding member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Connecticut Chapter.

Joe has dedicated his practice to Immigration and Nationality Law for over 45 years. He has been instrumental in effecting significant changes in the body of immigration case law by virtue of his involvement in landmark cases. He provides legal services and counsel to both large and small businesses as well as academic institutions, enabling them to secure essential employees in areas such as engineering, research, computer technology, and management. In addition, he represents individuals in their efforts to reunify their families in the United States, and has experience in deportation matters as well as asylum cases. He is a frequent lecturer in matters involving Immigration and Nationality Law.

Actively involved in the local community, Joe has been a member of the Rotary Club, including having served on its Board of Directors. He is a former member of the Bloomfield Democratic Town Committee, and is a Justice of the Peace.

Joe is listed in the 2017 edition of Woodward/White Inc.’s The Best Lawyers in America as being among the top immigration lawyers in Connecticut and has been listed in Best Lawyers in the area of immigration law for more than ten years. He is also listed as a member of the Historical Society of the International Who’s Who of Professionals. From 2009-2013 he was named in the New England Super Lawyers list in the area of Immigration Law. For 2012 Joe is listed in New York and Connecticut Magazines in the Best Lawyers Section. He is also listed in Continental Who’s Who. He has a Superb AVVO rating. AVVO is an independent agency which rates doctors and lawyers. His rating with Martindale-Hubbell is BV.

Joe received his A.B. Degree from Franklin and Marshall College in 1963 and his law degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 1966.