About

Fisher is an experienced litigator, having practiced law for over 35 years in leading law firms in the Northeast. During this time he served on his firm’s Executive Committee and its Compensation Committee, and held the positions of Office Managing Partner, Practice Group Leader, Pro Bono Chair, and co-chair of the Strategic Planning Committee. In his practice, Fisher focused on ADR, construction, trust and probate disputes, and other complex litigation.

Fisher is the author of the “Construction Mediation” chapter of the Connecticut Mediation Handbook, published by Quinnipiac Law School and the Connecticut Bar Association, and the book Connecticut Law of Check Fraud, published by Atlantic Law Books. He is the co-author of Municipal Construction Projects, published by the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, and authored numerous other professional and scholarly publications. He has taught Ethics in Negotiations in multiple settings, including continuing legal education and business schools.

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Fisher’s work in alternative dispute resolution has included many matters as an advocate in mediation or arbitration, as well as serving as a neutral in both forums. He has co-chaired the American Arbitration Association’s Construction Advisory Committee for Connecticut and chaired the Alternative Dispute Resolution Section of the Connecticut Bar Association.

Areas of practice

Public Service

Fisher has served as President of the Connecticut Bar Foundation and on the boards of many non-profit organizations. He is currently a member of the Federal Grievance Committee for the District of Connecticut and chaired the United States Magistrate Merit Selection Panel for the two most recent appointments and reappointments. He is also a member of the Civilian Police Review Board for the City of Hartford.

Chair, Connecticut Commission on Judicial Compensation
Co-Chair, Connecticut Commission on Access to Counsel in Civil Matters
Co-Chair, Statutes and Rules Subcommittee of Connecticut Chief Justice’s Jury Task Force
Chair, Evaluation Committee of Connecticut Commission on ADR and the Courts
Member, Connecticut Governor’s Commission on Judicial Reform
Member, Connecticut Judicial Branch Access to Justice Commission
Chair, Connecticut Bar Association Task Force on Confidentiality and the Courts
Co-Chair, Connecticut Bar Association Commission on Probate Court Reform
Co-Chair, Connecticut Bar Association Commission on the Future of Legal Education.

Fisher is the founder of the Connecticut Innocence Fund, a first-in-the-nation lender for individuals who have been released from prison upon a finding of wrongful conviction. This fund provides interest-free, non-recourse loans to exonerees who have been convicted and served time for crimes they did not commit. It assists them with initial recovery and reentry and is repaid from their receipt of state compensation or litigation recoveries arising out of their wrongful conviction.

Academic Leadership

Fisher was Dean of the University of Connecticut School of Law from 2013 to 2020, continuing on the faculty thereafter and currently teaching as Dean and Professor of Law Emeritus.

As Dean Fisher addressed several important problems the school was facing with respect to admissions credentials, postgraduate employment, student morale, staff operations, and external relations. During his service, the school dramatically improved its rankings, raised admissions standards, and significantly improved student employment, including judicial clerkships. The school’s annual philanthropic gifts and commitments doubled under his leadership, and it enjoyed enhanced connections with its alumni and donor communities, as well as the institutions of law and government throughout the region.

Fisher continues teaching and research in his capacity as Dean and Professor of Law Emeritus. He has taught courses on compliance, legal ethics, and legal research and writing.

Education

Bar Admission:

Professional Affiliations:

He lives in Hartford with his wife, Dina Fisher, who works as assigned counsel for the Office of the Chief Public Defender and is an accomplished artist. They have four grown children and six grandchildren.