Christopher J. "Chris" DeMattie - Lawyer in Westport, CT

About Chris

I started working at age 13. My first job was as a little league umpire, where I quickly learned how to maintain composure, order, and control while dealing with emotionally charged parents and coaches. By age 16, I woke up early each summer morning to cut the grass and rake bunkers at Racebook Country Club. During college, I worked as a construction laborer, landscaper, gravedigger, waiter, boat cleaner, and marketing assistant for UConn athletics. I will consistently outhustle and outwork everyone else.

I always wanted to help people resolve their problems, not review paperwork for corporations or government agencies. During law school, I took as many trial classes as possible and was fortunate enough to train under some of the top trial lawyers and Judges in Connecticut. After taking an advanced family law trial class during my last semester of law school, I knew I wanted to practice family law exclusively because I could immediately help people going through some of the most challenging times of their lives.

I learned early on that I can most effectively help people resolve their family law problems by serving as a trial lawyer and standing up for what is most important to them. Being a trial lawyer does not mean I take every case to trial. I carefully listen to my clients goals, interests, and concerns. I pride myself on timely returning every phone call and email. Once I get to know my client, I can help them make smart decisions and guide them every step of the way. This diligent guidance always includes discussing the pros and cons of settling or going to trial. That decision is always my clients to make. While I will use my trial experience to help you, we will work together to craft a custom-tailored solution to your unique circumstances. My personalized client-focused approach has most often led to very favorable results.

The skills I learned in those trial practice classes prepared me to represent people immediately after law school. I tried (and won) my first hearing less than six months after being sworn into the Bar. I then started trying many cases, including some of the most complex financial and high net worth cases in Connecticut. You cannot become a good trial lawyer by sitting on the sidelines.

I since received numerous awards and recognitions and developed a reputation for successfully litigating difficult custody, substance abuse, and child relocation cases. Now, I am sometimes brought into cases by other lawyers to serve as the trial lawyer after settlement discussions failed.

However, for every case I successfully litigated, I settled dozens more because I am practical and know the value of a case. By being in Court regularly, I see firsthand what Judges are doing, so I know the current trends and expected outcomes. In my experience, you can often settle a matter more favorably if you are prepared for trial, especially if your spouses lawyer is not prepared. Being prepared is one of the few factors a lawyer can control at a trial, so I make sure no one is as prepared and organized as me.

At Broder Orland Murray DeMattie LLC, we put complex legal issues into language that you can easily understand. We work hard to help our clients in every situation. We treat our clients with respect and spend time to make sure they fully understand the process they are going through. No matter how bad things get, we are here to help our clients put their lives back together and set them up for future success and happiness.

Chris, The Professional

Since 2012 Chris has exclusively practiced Family Law, including divorce, alimony, child support and custody, the division of assets, cohabitation, prenuptial, and postnuptial agreements, and post-judgment enforcement actions. Chris is also a Certified Guardian ad Litem.

Chris is a New England Super Lawyers? Rising Star in Family Law for 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020. Each year, no more than 2.5% are named to the Rising Stars List. Super Lawyers Selection Process.

In 2020 and 2021 he was selected by Best Lawyers as Ones to Watch in Family Law. Recognition by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch is based entirely on peer review.

The Connecticut Law Tribune named Chris as a New Leader in the Law for 2017.

Chris earned his law degree, cum laude, from Quinnipiac University School of Law, where he concentrated in Family Law and graduated with honors in his concentration. While in school, Chris participated in the Advanced Family Law Trial Practice Program and the Tax Clinic. He also served as a Yale Sappern Fellow in the Bridgeport Superior Court, assisting self-represented parties with various family law matters. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Connecticut.

Chris is admitted to practice in Connecticut and is a member of the Fairfield County and Connecticut Bar Associations. Chris is a native of Orange, Connecticut. He now resides in Greenwich, Connecticut, with his wife Corrie, and their son Jake.

Chris currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Fairfield County Bar Association and the Fairfield County Bar Foundation. He also volunteers his time as a Special Master at the Bridgeport Superior Court. Chris previously served as a Fairfield County Development Board Member of the Center for Childrens Advocacy. He is an active participant in the Westport and Stamford recreational softball leagues. Chris also volunteers as an alumni career advisor for the University of Connecticut.