Bringing Real Family Law Experiences to Yale Law School
At Rich Rochlin Law Group, we believe in giving back to the legal community and educating the next generation of lawyers. Every year, our founder, Rich Rochlin, is invited to give a guest lecture at Yale Law School for Professor Douglas NeJaime’s class.
During these lectures, Rich brings a real case from a former client. The client joins either in-person or via Zoom to share their experience. Rich then explains the legal strategies and resolution that helped them through their situation.
Students gain hands-on insights into family law, including divorce, custody disputes, adoption, and estate planning. They see how compassionate, strategic legal guidance can make a meaningful difference in clients’ lives.
As a leading Connecticut family law firm based in West Hartford, we are proud to contribute to legal education while demonstrating the importance of client-centered practice.
West Hartford Halloween Stroll
At Rich Rochlin Law Group, community involvement starts close to home. Each year, our team proudly participates in the annual West Hartford Halloween Stroll, a beloved local event that brings families, small businesses, and neighbors together in the heart of town.
As a West Hartford family law firm, we value opportunities to connect with the community outside the courtroom. During the Halloween Stroll, our office welcomes families, children, and local residents for a fun and festive afternoon. It is one of our favorite ways to support a community event that celebrates togetherness, creativity, and local businesses.
Events like the West Hartford Halloween Stroll reflect our belief that family law is about people first. Being present in the community allows us to build trust, create meaningful connections, and show that we are more than just lawyers. We are neighbors, parents, and active participants in the town we serve.
Forensics Seminar on Child Custody at The Institute of Living
Each year, Rich is invited by Dr. Jonathan M. Raub to speak at the forensic seminar for the Institute of Living at Hartford Healthcare, where psychiatry fellows explore child custody from both a clinical and legal perspective.
He draws on his experience as a family law attorney and GAL to explain how custody decisions are made in real cases, and how the AACAP Practice Parameter for Child Custody Evaluations applies in practice.
The discussion focuses on real situations from his work, showing how legal standards and family dynamics intersect when courts are making decisions about children. The session is conversational, with fellows encouraged to ask questions, share perspectives, and engage directly on the challenges they may face in custody evaluations and treatment settings.
The goal is to build a deeper understanding of how law and psychiatry work together in the best interests of the children and families navigating difficult transitions.
NBC CONNECTICUT: GRANDPARENTS' VISITATION RIGHTS
Rich was recently featured on NBC Connecticut, speaking to one of the more painful gaps in Connecticut family law: the limited rights grandparents have when it comes to visitation. He explained that unless a grandparent can show that denying visitation would cause real harm to the child, courts default to the parents’ wishes. That’s a difficult standard to meet, and it means grandparents who have been a steady, loving presence in a child’s life can find themselves legally powerless when a family fractures. It’s a reality that surprises a lot of people and leaves a lot of families in an incredibly hard position.
WTNH: THIS WEEK IN CONNECTICUT WITH DENNIS HOUSE
Rich also spoke on WTNH’s This Week in Connecticut with Dennis House about the same matter. If you’re a grandparent trying to maintain a relationship with your grandchildren, or a parent with questions about visitation, we can help you understand where you stand and what options may be available to you.
