J. Paul Vance, Jr. is a seasoned attorney and visionary legal leader with over two decades of distinguished service across litigation, government, and nonprofit sectors. Currently the Managing Partner at Logan, Vance, Sullivan and Kores, LLP, Vance brings a unique blend of trial experience, risk management expertise, and strategic leadership to his legal practice. He is widely recognized for his integrity, legal acumen, and deep understanding of both the courtroom and the broader civic landscape.
Vance’s litigation focus includes medical malpractice, labor and employment, workers’ compensation, and complex compliance matters. He is AV Preeminent-rated by Martindale-Hubbell and has been named a Super Lawyer for his litigation prowess. A graduate of the Keenan Trial Institute, he has successfully led trial teams and negotiated high-value settlements throughout Connecticut, earning a reputation as a results-driven and client-focused advocate.
With a keen sense for operations and strategy, Vance has held multiple leadership roles where he built and scaled legal divisions, improved claims handling efficiency, and streamlined litigation workflows. His legal career includes pivotal roles with Chartis Insurance (AIG), where he advised corporate clients on risk management and negotiated six-figure settlements, and Melick, Porter & Shea, LLP, where he served as local managing attorney for Connecticut and handled high-stakes general liability and malpractice claims.
Beyond private practice, Vance has a distinguished record of public service. As the former Connecticut Claims Commissioner, appointed by the governor, he adjudicated more than 1,000 claims against the state and issued over 200 legal opinions. His work included high-profile matters, such as the Charla Nash chimpanzee attack case and the Kenneth Ireland wrongful incarceration claim. Under his leadership, the commission eliminated case backlogs, implemented a modern case management system, and improved procedural transparency.
Vance has been a trusted public servant in municipal government, serving as President of the Board of Aldermen for the City of Waterbury. In this role, he oversaw a $350M municipal budget, reformed pension policy, and led collective bargaining negotiations for first responders. His legislative accomplishments include drafting ethics ordinances, modernizing procurement laws, and revising the city charter to improve hiring practices. He also played a key role in community revitalization through his work on major development projects totaling over $150M.
An advocate for education and community, Vance has served as an adjunct professor at Post University, where he teaches graduate-level courses in risk management, labor relations, and public sector ethics. His leadership extends to volunteer and nonprofit roles, including chairing boards, coaching youth sports, and leading local fundraising efforts for literacy and education. He has remained a consistent presence in civic life through roles with the Connecticut Bar Association—most recently as Vice President—as well as through local and state political leadership.
Vance earned his Juris Doctor from Seton Hall University School of Law, holds an Executive Master of Public Administration with a concentration in finance and organizational management from Columbia University, and received his undergraduate degree from Villanova University with a dual major in English Literature and Political Science. Admitted to the Connecticut Bar, he is active in multiple bar associations and legal organizations, including the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association and the Connecticut Bar Foundation, where he is a Life Fellow.
Combining legal excellence with a commitment to public good, Paul Vance has built a career defined by service, results, and a deep dedication to advancing justice for individuals, businesses, and communities alike.
Character
Paul Vance demonstrates unwavering integrity, civic commitment, and leadership through decades of legal service, public office, and volunteer work, consistently advocating for fairness, transparency, and community betterment.
Knowledge
With advanced legal, financial, and governmental education, coupled with hands-on experience in litigation, compliance, risk management, and public administration, Vance brings exceptional expertise across sectors and disciplines.
Strategic
Vance excels at streamlining operations, managing complex claims, and implementing high-impact systems and policies that drive organizational efficiency, reduce liability, and support long-term legal and civic outcomes.
Communication
An articulate trial lawyer, educator, and public speaker, Vance translates legal complexity into clear guidance, builds consensus across diverse stakeholders, and leads with clarity in high-stakes environments.
