Staff Profiles

Judi Schack

Judi has been working in the legal field since 1979. The past 22 years of her career have been dedicated solely to personal injury. She understands that for many clients the legal process can be very overwhelming and her ability to take on the many demands associated with an injury claim allows clients to focus on their recovery. Judi has developed an expertise in obtaining the necessary information to prepare cases for settlement or trial. Her attention to detail and extensive experience is essential to our success in obtaining favorable settlements and verdicts for our clients.

Judi is also an Emergency Medical Technician and volunteers for Stratford Emergency Medical Services. This background and ongoing experience continuously broadens her knowledge and understanding of the accident scene, the mechanism of physical injury and provides her with an overall understanding of people who have been injured.

"We take the team approach to each and every case and this affords our clients a wide range of expertise and the best possible representation."

Diane Stein

Diane has been in the legal field for 23 years with a focus on personal injury since 1987. She attended Sacred Heart University concentrating on paralegal studies. In addition, Diane continues her education to keep apprised of changes within the law and personal injury field by attending personal injury seminars, including those that have been given by the Connecticut Trial Lawyer’s Association. Diane’s personal advocacy and dedication to our clients is essential to their recovery.

Alexandra Turner

Andra brings 20 years experience to her client’s cases. After receiving her paralegal degree from Sacred Heart University in 1986, she worked at two general practice law firms developing litigation management skills. Since 1992, her work has focused exclusively on personal injury matters. Andra has worked on product liability class actions involving breast implants and prosthetic hips as well as cases related to motor vehicle collisions, tractor trailer collisions, wrongful death, medical and dental malpractice, legal malpractice and slip and fall injuries. Andra is the author of a Paralegal Home Study Course. She is a Paralegal Affiliate of the American Association of Justice and is also a Notary Public for the State of Connecticut.

Outside of work, Andra works as a liaison helping her community meet the needs of children in the care of Bridgeport DCF. Andra has also done relief work in Mississippi for Hurricane Katrina victims.

“Most people don’t know what to expect when they have a personal injury claim. I enjoy having a lot of contact with our clients and helping them through the process. The bills and paperwork can be overwhelming, so we take that burden off our clients so they can focus on getting well.”

Carissa L. Chadwick

Carissa began her career in the medical field. She received her certificate in Nurse Assisting from Educational Training Institute and then went on to study nursing at Southern Connecticut State University. Carissa has been utilizing her medical background and experience at Adelman Hirsch and Newman for the past five years. She is also a Notary Public for the State of Connecticut.

Nancy Hedine

Nancy is a graduate of Gibbs College and she earned a certificate in paralegal studies from Sacred Heart University. Nancy has been associated with the attorneys of Adelman Hirsch & Newman assisting on personal injury matters for 23 years. She began her legal career as the Office Manager/Paralegal for former Mayor Leonard S. Paoletta in Bridgeport where she assisted attorneys on real estate, probate, criminal and civil litigation matters. Nancy is a Notary Public for the State of Connecticut.

Edna Cruz

Edna earned her degree from the University of Bridgeport School of Business Weylister Secretarial Program with a concentration in legal studies and she has also attended Southern Connecticut State University. Edna has over 25 years of legal experience in the personal injury field. She is bilingual in English/Spanish and is a Notary Public for the State of Connecticut.

Sophie Piekielniak

Sophie M. Piekielniak has worked in Health Information Management for 10 years. She attended Southern Connecticut State University studying Sociology with a concentration in Criminology and Criminal Justice and a minor in Psychology. Staying true to her studies and ambition, she now works with Adelman Hirsch & Newman as a Legal Secretary.