Tribuna Connecticut
By Matthew Corso
Ventura, Ribeiro & Smith Law Firm has been selected to represent the Brazilian
Consul-General Ronaldo E. Dunlop and Attorney Agostinho J. Ribeiro Consulate in Hartford and to assist Brazil and its foreign nationals with legal issues in Connecticut. The selection, made by Ronaldo Edgar Dunlop, the Consul General of Brazil in Hartford, appoints Ventura, Ribeiro & Smith to represent and assist in any legal matter affecting the Brazilian Consulate and the Brazilian community statewide. "We are proud to now have a strong voice in the legal arena statewide," stated Vice-Consul, Sonia Reis.
The nationally recognized firm, in addition to its Danbury headquarters, has offices in Bridgeport, Hartford, Norwalk, and New York City. Founded in 1957 by Attorney Americo S. Ventura, it began as a local general practice firm, serving the Greater Danbury community and in particular the Portuguese, Brazilian and Hispanic populations therein. It has now grown to a team of twelve attorneys and thirty support staff members concentrating in personal injury, workers' compensation and trial litigation. "Mr. Americo Ventura and myself are Portuguese speaking. We are bound with the Brazilian community both in history and in values. It is an honor to continue to serve the Brazilian community now in this new capacity," said Attorney Agostinho J. Ribeiro, the firm's managing part- ner, of the selection choice. The Ventura Ribeiro & Smith law firm gained national attention by offering pro-bono representation to victims of the September 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. "We are proud that our reputation of community involvement and compassionate service were the determining factors in our selection. Our reputation for over fifty years has been to treat and serve our entire community with compassion and dignity - whether or not they speak English.
We cherish diversity and have eight attorneys and numerous support staff members who are children of immigrants and speak second and third languages," stated Ribeiro.
"I am very pleased to announce our association with the law firm of Ventura, Ribeiro & Smith," said Consul General Dunlop upon signing the agreement with the law firm. "They will be an important resource to help the Consulate fulfill its mission to serve the interests of Connecticut's Brazilian community in its jurisdiction."
