
Bernard Pellegrino
Contact Me: 203-787-2225
Email: bp@pellegrinolawfirm.com
Practice Areas
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Land Use and Zoning
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Commercial & Residential Real Estate
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General Civil Litigation
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Worker's Compensation
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Sports Law
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Construction Law
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Personal Injury
Bar Admissions
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Connecticut, 1988
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U.S. District Court District of Connecticut
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U.S. Bankruptcy Court Connecticut
Education
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Boston College Law School, Boston, Massachusetts
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J.D. - 1988
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Honors: cum laude
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University of Notre Dame
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B.A. - 1985
Classes & Seminars
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"Architect/Engineer and Construction Manager Disputes", Construction Contract Litigation Seminar, Georgetown University Law Center, 1989 to 1989
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"Construction Law: What do you do when...?", Connecticut Construction Law, National Business Institute Seminar, 1990 to 1990
Pro-Bono Activities
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Past-President, Walter Camp Football Foundation
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Past-President, Board of Directors, Clifford W. Beers Child Guidance Clinic, Inc.
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Chair, North Haven Education Foundation, Inc.
Published Works
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"The Sprewell Ruling: An Opportunity Lost for Professional Sports Leagues", The Connecticut Lawyer, April, 1998
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"The Practical Impact and Historical Significance of The National Football League Free Agency Compromise After McNeil v. National Football League", Seton Hall Journal of Sport Law, 790 F. Supp. 871, D. Minn., Vol. 4, No. 1, 1992
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"Baseball's Antitrust Exemption--Not Player Greed-- Doomed the 1994 Baseball Season", The Connecticut Lawyer, December, 1994
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"Assessing The Impact Of The NFL Free Agency Compromise in McNeil v. National Football League", The Entertainment and Sports Lawyer, Summer, 1993
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"Will This Be The Summer Of The National Hockey League's Discontent?", The Entertainment & Sports Lawyer, Spring, 1991
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"New Requirements for New Home Contractors", The Connecticut Lawyer, September, 1999
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"Representing Institutional Applicants before Municipal Land Use Agencies", The Connecticut Lawyer, October, 2002
Professional Associations
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Connecticut Bar Association, Sports and Entertainment Law Section, Founder
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Sports Lawyers Association, Member
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ABA's Forum, Sports and Entertainment Industries, Member
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Sports and Entertainment Industries, Member
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Home Builders Association of Greater New Haven, Former Counsel
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Home Builders Association of Greater New Haven, Member
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USGBC, Leadership in Energy and Environmental and Design, Accredited Professional (LEED AP), Member
Bernard Pellegrino practices in the areas of land use and zoning, general civil litigation, personal injury, workers' compensation, sports law, and construction law and litigation. He is a 1985 graduate of the University of Notre Dame and earned his Juris Doctor, cum laude, at Boston College Law School in 1988. He is admitted to practice in the state and federal courts in Connecticut.
In land use and zoning, Attorney Pellegrino has experience appearing before municipal agencies throughout the State seeking approvals for various real estate developments. The boards he appears before each month include Inland Wetland Panels, Planning and Zoning Commissions, and Zoning Appeals Boards. His clients include single and multi-family residential builders, large commercial and retail developers, and educational institutions. He has acted as zoning counsel for Quinnipiac University for over 25 years, having secured numerous approvals for the school, including the TD Bank Sportscenter complex on the University’s York Hill Campus in Hamden, CT.
In May 2009, Attorney Pellegrino was certified as a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) by the U.S. Green Building Council, having successfully completed the preparatory review and passed the accreditation exam for this internationally recognized “green” building certification program. He has been certified to advise clients on compliance with the LEED guidelines. Additionally, his clients receive invaluable certification points towards LEED designation for development projects in which he has been retained. For additional information on our Green Building practice, please review our Practice Areas Overview.
Attorney Pellegrino is the founder of the Sports and Entertainment Law Section of the Connecticut Bar Association. He is also a member of the Sports Lawyers Association and the ABA's Forum on the Sports and Entertainment Industries. He is a noted speaker and author on issues related to the law and business of the sports industry. As a member of the Professional Hockey Players' Association workers’ compensation panel, Attorney Pellegrino has represented professional hockey players before the Connecticut Workers’ Compensation Commission. Mr. Pellegrino has served as an adjunct professor of Sports Law at the University of New Haven and Sacred Heart University.
Noted for his community involvement, Bernie is the Past-President of the Walter Camp Football Foundation, the Past-President of the Board of Directors of the Clifford W. Beers Guidance Clinic, Inc., and former counsel of the Home Builders Association of Greater New Haven. Since 1994, he has been a member of the Town of North Haven's Water Pollution Control Authority. He is also the Chair of the North Haven Education Foundation, Inc., a 501(c) 3 corporation that raises funds to support educational initiatives for school children in the Town of North Haven.
WHAT CLIENTS SAY
My husband and I hired Attorney Giacomo Tolomeo to handle our real estate closings and we couldn't be happier with the service. We had two transactions involving a land purchase and an Owner-Builder construction loan, which meant there were a lot of moving parts and specific requirements to manage.
Giacomo and his assistant, Roesann, were fantastic. They coordinated seamlessly with our bank. Giacomo made the closing process smooth and understandable. Thanks to their hard work and expertise, we can now focus on breaking ground on our new home with total peace of mind.
Daniella F.
WHAT CLIENTS SAY
Attorney Granquist was professional, polite & very kind. She took the time to explain things in an understandable way & was incredibly helpful. It was a positive experience & I look forward to working with her in the future if legal matters come up in the New Haven area
Elizabeth H.
WHAT CLIENTS SAY
Gayle Sims has given us both outstanding legal advice. In 2015 she helped obtain a long overdue divorce with the minimum of trauma. She was a surefooted guide through the court and her steady and gentle manner gave us great confidence.
Recently Gayle acted as our lawyer in the sale of our home & the purchase of a new apartment. She took a great load off our minds by doing the paperwork, title searches etc, in a calm & efficient manner. We hit a rough spot with the sale and she was firm in her support of her client (us) and eventually worked it out to our favor.
We could not recommend her too highly to any prospective client. She has a first rate & firm grasp of the law but explains it clearly to her clients in a non-technical manner. In short she is a legal treasure & we would use her services again if the need arose.
Donna C.
WHAT CLIENTS SAY
My husband and I had a wonderful experience with Mr Michael Safer, Attorney at Law. His expertise is incredible as well as his many years of experience. He gives expert Advice and is very savvy with the laws of CT. We feel very satisfied and confident with his Services.
Naomi P.

