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Who We Are

The Law Offices of Esposito, Annunziata & McGowan are the product of two New Haven law practices with deep roots in the local legal community.

In 1981, John J. Esposito purchased our East Rock office building and relocated his practice from Elm Street in downtown New Haven, establishing a permanent home for the firm in one of the city’s historic neighborhoods.

The Annunziata law firm traces its history back to Albert R. Annunziata, who began practicing law in the 1950s and served clients for decades. His son, Albert A. Annunziata, later continued the practice, maintaining its longstanding commitment to client advocacy.

In 2014, the Esposito and Annunziata firms joined forces, uniting their histories, experience, and professional traditions under one firm.

Over the years, numerous attorneys have been affiliated with these practices, reflecting a long-standing culture of collaboration, mentorship, and continuity within the firm.

A Legacy of Service in Law

The firm’s history reflects more than a century of service in law, public institutions, and the administration of justice. Across generations, its attorneys have served in military, prosecutorial, and private practice roles, building a foundation of experience that continues to shape the firm’s work today.

Black and white photograph of a police officer in uniform. The officer is wearing a peaked cap with a badge, glasses, and a police badge on the chest. The background is plain and the officer is looking at the camera with a slight smile.
Black and white photograph of a man in a military or police uniform with medals, wearing a peaked cap and standing against a plain background.

That tradition begins with Fortunato “Fred” Esposito. In 1916, before he had turned eighteen, Fred left Hillhouse High School to enlist in the United States Navy, serving honorably during World War I. After returning home, he joined the New Haven Police Department, where his leadership and professionalism led to a distinguished career. In 1942, he became the first police officer of Italian descent to be promoted to Sergeant in the department’s history. He later served among the first group of lieutenants appointed and ultimately rose to the rank of Police Captain. Upon his retirement in 1967, he received formal commendations from the Federal Bureau of Investigation in recognition of his contributions to law enforcement and his longstanding professional relationships within the Bureau. His career reflected integrity, discipline, and earned authority within public institutions.

His son, John J. Esposito, Sr., carried that commitment into the legal profession. After completing his education, John served in the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps during the 1960s, stationed at Fort Ord. Following his military service, he entered private practice while also serving as a part time prosecutor in West Haven. He joined a personal injury firm founded by Milton Rice, and together they built Rice & Esposito, a litigation focused practice known for courtroom advocacy and practical results. In the 1980s and 1990s, he was the town attorney for North Branford.

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Black-and-white portrait of a young man in a suit and tie, with short, neatly combed hair.

In 1981, the firm became The Esposito Law Firm, marking a new phase of independence and growth. John oversaw the firm’s relocation to 373 Humphrey Street, where a historic building was restored and converted into a working law office. That move reflected a commitment to long term stability and institutional presence rather than short term expansion.

A parallel legal legacy was established by Albert R. Annunziata, whose career in law spanned more than 60 years. After graduating from Hillhouse High School, Bryant College, Fairfield University in 1953, and Boston College Law School in 1956, Albert built a respected practice in litigation and public law. He served as Democratic Town Chair, State Prosecutor, and State’s Attorney for the State of Connecticut for ten years. In those roles, he was entrusted with significant responsibility in the administration of justice and remained actively engaged in the legal profession through the Connecticut Bar Association, the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association, and the American Trial Lawyers Association.

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In 2000, Albert A. Annunziata joined his father in practice, continuing the Annunziata legal tradition into the modern era. In addition to his legal work, he has maintained a long term presence in the East Rock area through ownership and management of commercial and residential properties. His professional and personal investments reflect continuity, permanence, and long standing engagement in the region where the firm has long been based.

In 2013, Matthew McGowan joined the firm, representing the third generation of leadership within the Esposito practice. In 2014, the Esposito and Annunziata practices joined forces, uniting two longstanding litigation and public service traditions under one firm.

Today, the firm operates as Law Offices of Esposito, Annunziata & McGowan. Its attorneys draw on generations of institutional knowledge, trial experience, and professional relationships developed over decades of practice. While the firm’s roots are deep, its work reflects the demands of modern litigation and the needs of clients whose matters extend well beyond a single courthouse or moment in time.