Meet The Team

Mark P. Santagata began his practice in 1984 as a judicial clerk in Connecticut Superior Court. In 1985 he began working for Law Offices of Michael J. Cacace, and joined Mike Cacace and Paul Tusch as a partner in 1993. With over 30 years of experience in civil litigation, Mr. Santagata handles cases involving personal injury, construction problems, real estate issues, probate litigation, collection matters, labor and employment controversies, and commercial disputes. His employment practice includes negotiation of employment agreements and severance packages, providing counsel to employers regarding human resource and regulatory issues, and enforcement and defense of noncompetition and nondisclosure contracts. He also represents municipal labor unions, pursues labor grievance hearings and arbitration, and negotiates collective bargaining contracts. His landlord tenant practice includes drafting and negotiating commercial leases, and litigating residential and commercial disputes in housing court. Mr. Santagata has represented major telecommunication carriers and private property owners in securing locations for telecommunication antenna sites.

Mr. Santagata has been affiliated with the Board of Directors for many nonprofit organizations including Kids in Crisis; Hospice Care, Inc.; Senior Employment Services; Catholic Family Services; and Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care of Southwestern Connecticut, where he currently serves as Board Chairman. He has also served with the Stamford Health Foundation.

Mr. Santagata has served on the Board of Directors of the Fairfield County Bar Association, and is currently a member of the Litigation, Employment and Alternative Dispute Resolution Sections of the Connecticut Bar Association. He is also a member of the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association. He has lectured on real estate litigation, employment agreements and construction law compliance for contractors.

Professional Associations and Memberships:

Connecticut Bar Association
Member, Construction Law Section
Member, Labor and Employment Section
Member, Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee
Member, Litigation Section (Executive Committee 2000 – 2001)

Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association
Member

Fairfield County Bar Association
Director, 2003 – 2007
Member, Bench Bar Committee
Member, Employment Committee
Member, Litigation Committee
Member, Medical/Legal Committee

Nonprofit Affiliations:

Catholic Family Services
Director, 1985 – 1987
Secretary, 1986 – 1987

SACIA Fairfield County Information Exchange
Member, Research Advisory Committee, 1999 – 2001
Member, Trends & Issues Sub-Committee, 1999 – 2001

Hospice Care, Inc.
Director, 1987 – 1998
Chairman, 1995 – 1998
1st Vice Chair, 1993 – 1995
Executive Committee, 1992 – 1998
Chairman, Human Resources Committee, 1988 – 1998
Finance Committee, 1991 – 1998

Kids In Crisis
Director, 2002 – 2008
Board Counsel, 2002 – Present
Executive Committee, 2002 – 2008
Finance Committee, 2002 – Present
Chairman, Human Resources Committee, 2002 – 2008

Senior Employment Services
Director, 1986 – 1992
President, 1989 – 1991
Vice President, 1988 – 1989
Secretary, 1986 – 1987
Director Emeritus

Stamford Chamber of Commerce
Member, Tangible Benefits Committee, 1999 – 2001
Board of Directors, 1999-2004

Stamford Health Foundation
Director, 1997 – 2000

Visiting Nurse Association Hospice Care of Southwestern Connecticut
Director, 1998 – 2000; 2004 – present
Chairman, 1998 – 2000, 2008
Board Counsel, 2004 – 2008
Executive Committee, 1998 – 2000, 2004 – present
Chairman, Human Resources Committee, 2004 – 2007
Nominating Committee, 2006 – 2007
Director Emeritus 2000 – 2004