PAUL K. SULLIVAN, JR.
Partner
Email: psullivan@sgbllp.com
Phone: 475-261-4013 / Fax: 203-453-2639
I love meeting with our clients – if I could spend all of my working time doing that I would. It’s especially satisfying when a planning client tells me that a process they were dreading and procrastinating about turned out to be pleasant.
Practicing exclusively in the areas of estate planning and estate and trust administration since 1999, Paul currently heads the Estate Planning practice at the firm. He also enjoys specialized planning for family owned businesses. On the trust administration side of the business, Paul frequently serves as Trustee when an independent (non-family) trustee is needed or desired.
Paul grew up in Madison, Connecticut and still lives there with his wife Teresa and three children. He has been involved in a wide range of community activities, including coaching youth soccer and serving on non-profit boards. For many years, Paul has served on the Board of St. Martin de Porres Academy – a faith-based Nativity Miguel middle school that provides tuition-free, extended day education for underserved students from low-income families in the New Haven area.
Paul is a somewhat-regular runner, having completed six marathons at varying rates of speed. He also enjoys skiing and playing tennis with family and friends. Paul loves dogs, particularly Springer Spaniels. For a while he considered bringing the family dog Hadley to work every day, but Hadley violated too many office policies to list.
Areas of Practice
Estate and Tax Planning
Trust and Fiduciary Services
Bar Admission
Connecticut (1991)
Florida (2019)
Education
College of the Holy Cross, BA
University of Connecticut, JD
Memberships and Associations
Connecticut Bar Association, Trusts and Estates Section
National Association Estate Planners & Councils, Estate Law Specialist Exam
Favorite Movie
Diner
Areas of Practice
Estate and Tax Planning
Probate and Estate Administration
Trust and Fiduciary Services
Bar Admissions
California (1991)
Illinois (1993)
Connecticut (2007)
Education
Georgetown University, BA
University of Chicago, JD
Memberships and Associations
American Bar Association
Connecticut Bar Association, Trusts and Estates
California Bar Association, Trusts and Estates
National Association Estate Planners & Councils, Estate Law Specialist Exam
Best Vacation to Date
Scuba Diving off the Coast of Australia
Favorite Book
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
CYNTHIA J. (CJ) GRIFFITH
Partner
Email: cjgriffith@sgbllp.com
Phone: 475-261-4014 / Fax: 203-453-2639
Don’t tell anyone, but I actually enjoy working on estate tax returns. They are puzzles with numbers and things need to “fit” into very specific places!
CJ enjoys helping families create a plan tailored to their specific needs and priorities. Her experience as the head of the firm’s Probate and Trust Administration practices brings a practical focus to the planning process: making sure that the plan that exists on paper will actually work in real life.
Before making the switch to represent individuals and families, CJ was part of a team of attorneys advising the global corporate investment bank of a large financial institution. Before that, she was a partner with a 600 attorney San Francisco based law firm. With a background of litigating disputes on behalf of corporate clients, CJ now applies her knowledge of complex institutions to assist individuals.
Since moving to Connecticut, CJ has involved herself in the local community by volunteering and serving on several charitable boards. CJ grew up as a “cheese head” in Wisconsin, but spent the years after college & law school in Mill Valley, California.
JEFFREY T. BEATTY
Partner
Email: jtbeatty@sgbllp.com
Phone: 475-261-4020 / Fax: 203-453-2639
Since his admission to practice in 1990, Jeff has assisted clients regarding the acquisition, development and sale of real estate. Whether advising on the steps related to buying or selling a home, obtaining approvals from local land use boards or negotiating leases for commercial office space, Jeff’s goal is to provide his clients with information and a better understanding of the options available to allow them to make informed decisions to achieve their goals.
Jeff applies the same approach to the litigation aspect of his practice advising local and out of state lenders, as well as corporate and individual clients in a variety of matters including foreclosure and collection actions, appeals from decisions of land use boards, evictions and property assessment appeals.
A Guilford native, Jeff believes in the importance of giving back to the community. He is currently serving on the Guilford Board of Finance and the boards of the Guilford Free Library and the Guilford Interfaith Housing Corporation. Over the past 20 years, Jeff has served as President of the Board of Directors for the Guilford Handcraft Center (now the Guilford Art Center), the Guilford Community Fund, and the Guilford Chamber of Commerce. He is the past Chairman of the Guilford Board of Ethics and served as a Director for the SARAH Foundation, the Guilford Foundation and Guilford Youth Mentoring and coached in the Guilford Little League and youth soccer programs.
Jeff lives in Guilford with his wife, Lee, and their three children.
Areas of Practice
Residential Purchases and Sales
Commercial Real Estate Transactions
Land Use
Tax Assessments and Appeals
Bar Admission
Connecticut (1990)
Education
Georgetown University, BA
University of Connecticut, JD
Bar Admission
Connecticut (2021)
Education
Nova Southeastern University (2016)
St. Thomas University College of Law (2021)
Memberships and Associations
Connecticut Bar Association
Favorite Book
A Song of Ice and Fire, by: George R. R. Martin
JAMES R. FONTENAULT
Associate
Email: jfontenault@sgbllp.com
Phone: 475-261-4018 / Fax: 203-453-2639
James grew up in nearby North Branford with his two parents and younger brother. In 2015, he and his family moved to South Florida, where he completed his undergraduate education at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with a degree in Environmental Science. His pursuit of a career in environmental activism led to his decision to attend law school.
His experience during law school led to discovering new passions, and he developed a strong interest in the field of real estate and estate planning. While attending law school, he interned at a firm that handled estate planning and administration in Boca Raton. After completing his schooling, his desire to return to his friends and extended family led to him sitting for the bar in the state of Connecticut and he has worked privately in the real estate field here ever since.
James is passionate about serving the local community. He spent his high school summers volunteering at Yale New Haven Hospital, and his collegiate summers assisting various environmental organizations and local town halls in South Florida. Now that he has returned to Connecticut, he plans to continue helping members of the community through his work at the firm.
ALICE P. MATHIEU
Senior Paralegal
Email: amathieu@sgbllp.com
Phone: 475-261-4017
Fax: 203-453-2639
You know you love what you’re doing when your days just fly by and you have to be reminded that it’s time to go home.
Alice began her career as a Systems Designer for the Financial Division at CIGNA Corp where she received two division awards in recognition of her achievements. After and raising two children she returned to the work force as a clerk in Connecticut’s Probate Court system where she worked for 10 years. Alice believes that customer service is the highest priority of the Probate Courts. As a clerk, Alice explained and answered questions about how the Probate Court works, provided information about court rules, procedures, and forms, and answered questions regarding deadlines for filing court documents. Alice’s primary area of responsibility was analyzing and reconciling estate tax returns and financial accountings and reports for compliance and accuracy.
Alice still believes that client service is the Firm’s most important priority. Her knowledge of Probate practice and procedures enables our firm to advise our clients with the perspective of someone who has worked in the trenches of the Probate system. Her blend of computer, accounting, and probate experience make her perfectly suited for our practice.
Alice inherited her father’s mechanical and engineering skills and is the go to person for the office when anything breaks down. She is a “weekend warrior” of sorts, remodeling, sanding, and refinishing anything she can get her hands on.
Areas of Practice
Estate and Trust Administration
Fiduciary Services
Education
Bryant University, BS
Naugatuck Valley Community College, Paralegal Certification
Hobbies and Interests
Hiking
Kayaking
Biking
Traveling
JOSEPH TERRAZZANO
Fiduciary Accountant
Email: jterrazzano@sgbllp.com
Phone: 475-261-4015
Fax: 203-453-2639
I am very fortunate because I enjoy every opportunity to assist clients with their needs. It’s the relationships that are most rewarding.
Joe provides fiduciary accounting services for estates and trusts. He has decades of experience preparing state and federal gift and estate tax returns. He also prepares Fiduciary Income Tax Returns (income tax returns for estates and trusts).
Joe spent his early career years as a fiduciary accountant at the New Haven based law firm, Wiggin and Dana. He joined his wife, Jeann Terrazzano, when she started her own trusts and estates law practice here on the Shoreline in 1980. Joe has been with the firm in every incarnation – joining Paul K. Sullivan, Jr. when he took over the practice in 1999 (when Jeann retired to attend Yale Divinity School), and most recently when Sullivan & Griffith, LLP was established in 2007.
Joe grew up in East Haven and still knows everyone who attended his grammar and high schools. He now lives in Madison, is an avid gardener, and enjoys cooking for himself and Jeann. He travels extensively, and has vacationed in every state and in over 60 countries. When you see Joe in the office, ask him to show you his model car collection!
Areas of Practice
Federal and State Income Tax
Federal and State Gift & Estate Tax
Fiduciary Accounting
Education
Quinnipiac College, BS
Hobbies and Interests:
Cooking
Gardening
Travel
CAYLA M. FLORIO
Estate Planning Coordinator
Email: cflorio@sgbllp.com
Phone: 475-261-4016
fax: 203-453-2639
The best part about my job is being able to meet so many amazing people. I always look forward to getting to know them. When a client leaves the office with a smile, it makes my day!
One could almost say that Cayla Florio has been with the firm since birth. (Her mother Amy worked first for Jeann Terrazzano, and then with Paul Sullivan and then Sullivan & Griffith, LLP for more than 20 years.) Cayla started working for Sullivan & Griffith as a Clerk part-time while still in high school. Her computer and technology skills help keep the firm current!
Cayla is now a full-time Estate Planning Coordinator. In addition to answering the phones and greeting clients, she also maintains the calendar for everyone in the office, so if you need an appointment, Cayla is the person to call!
Cayla grew up in Branford and graduated from Branford High School. She still lives in Branford, and in her free time she loves to go to the beach, paint, and enjoys spending time with friends and family. She also loves spending time with her dog, Cope!
Best Thing About Working Here:
The atmosphere, my coworkers, and talking with the clients!
Hobbies and Interests
Traveling
Boating
Photography
Art
Favorite Quote:
“Don’t compromise yourself. You are all you’ve got.” – Janis Joplin
AUTUMN PALLMAN
Real Estate Paralegal
Email: apallman@sgbllp.com
Phone: 475-261-4019
Fax: 203-453-2639
CINDY CASTELLON
Estate & Trust Administration Paralegal
Email: ccastellon@sgbllp.com
Phone: 475-261-4021
Fax: 203-453-2639
Employment Opportunities
Sullivan, Griffith & Beatty, LLP is growing. We are always looking for smart, dedicated and talented individuals who care about the families we help and take pride in providing client-focused service. Full-time positions are currently available.
Please submit your resume and cover letter to this email address: info@sgbllp.com
