Trent A. LaLima
Owner of Santos & LaLima, P.C.
Attorney LaLima is experienced in both criminal and civil appeals. He has experience handling arguments to the state's Supreme Court and achieving reversals of trial court cases. He is licensed to handle cases in the U.S. Supreme Court, Connecticut Supreme Court, and 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals.
Attorney Trent LaLima is the owner of Santos & LaLima, P.C., a law firm with a four decade long track record. The firm was founded by Hubert Santos in 1980, and particularly built its reputation on tirelessly and effectively representing criminal defendants. The firm also gained significant experience handling high-profile cases throughout the state of Connecticut. In 2013, Attorney LaLima began his career at the firm, then-named The Law Offices of Hubert J. Santos. He worked directly with Attorney Santos on cases that ranged from DUI/DWI and domestic violence to murder and other serious violent or sexual assault felonies. He worked on appeals, and handled both state and federal cases.
Other than criminal defense, Attorney LaLima also handled personal injury, civil cases, business disputes, juvenile matters, and administrative hearings including school disciplinary proceedings. Attorney LaLima has represented clients in Hartford, New Haven, and to all four corners of Connecticut. He has experience in trials, negotiating plea deals, achieving dismissals and erased records for defendants, helping clients who have not been charged to avoid arrest, and arguing in front of Connecticut's Appellate Court and Supreme Court.
Attorney Santos was an invaluable mentor for Attorney LaLima for eight years. After six years, Attorney LaLima became a partner at the re-named Santos & LaLima. After Attorney Santos passed away in 2021, he become the firm’s sole owner. He looks forward to continuing the traditions of the firm that were established by Attorney Santos, including being creative and bold in defending their clients' legal rights, treating clients with respect, and ensuring every case receives the attention and personal touch it deserves. In 2022, he was awarded the Hartford County Bar Association’s Judge Maxwell Heiman Award, awarded each year to one outstanding attorney in his or her first 10 years of practice.
Attorney LaLima has served in numerous leadership positions in Connecticut legal organizations, including as Chair of the Connecticut Bar Association’s Criminal Justice Section, co-Chair of the Hartford County Bar Association's Criminal Committee, and Chair of Annual Criminal Litigation Seminar organized by the Connecticut Trial Lawyer's Association. He been a panelist at multiple legal education seminars. He has been featured as a legal analyst on NBC Connecticut. His peers have rated him AV Preeminent at Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating for professional excellence, skill, integrity, and ethical standards. A lifelong Connecticut resident and UConn graduate, he lives in West Hartford. In his spare time, he serves on the board and coaches for West Hartford youth basketball, and supports the UConn Huskies.
+ University of Connecticut, B.A.
+ Washington & Lee University School of Law, J.D.
BAR ADMISSIONS
+ Connecticut
+ Supreme Court of the United States
+ U.S. District of Connecticut
+ U.S. Court of Appeals - 2nd Circuit
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
+ Connecticut Bar Association
- Chair, Criminal Justice Section, 2019-2021
- Secretary, Criminal Justice Section, 2018-2019 - Executive Committee, Criminal Justice Section, 2017-Present
- Secretary, Young Lawyers Section, 2022-Present
- Law School Outreach Director, Young Lawyers Section, 2021-2022
- Chair, Young Lawyers Section Criminal Committee, 2017-2019
- Continuing Legal Education Director, Young Lawyers Section, 2019-2021
- Member, 2013-Present
+ Hartford County Bar Association
- Co-Chair, Criminal Committee, 2018-Present
- Member, 2016-Present
+ Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association
- Chair, Annual Criminal Litigation Seminar, 2020-Present
- Asst. Chair, Annual Criminal Litigation Seminar, 2017-2020
+ Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
- Member, 2015-Present
HONORS
+ 2022 Hartford County Bar Association Judge Maxwell Heiman Award
+ SuperLawyers Rising Star, 2017-2022
+ AV Preeminent - Martindale-Hubbell, 2018-2022
+ Young Lawyers Section Star Of The Year, 2019
CONTACT
+ 860.249.6548
+ tlalima@santoslalima.com
+ 50 Russ Street, Hartford, CT 06106