Overview
Overview
Kaitlin Gaghan Gruse is an associate in the firm’s Connecticut office. She joined the firm in 2025 after working as Assistant Corporation Counsel in the Special Federal Litigation Division at the New York City Law Department. Kaitlin is a certified mediator in the state of New York. She has extensive experience in defense litigation and civil rights defense under 42 U.S. Code § 1983.
Kaitlin is a graduate of Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University where she was actively involved in the Trial Advocacy Program. Kaitlin was the managing director of the program and participated in multiple mock trial and moot court teams. She competed in the Tulane Baseball Arbitration Competition, Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Competition, Hofstra National Medical-Legal Trial Competition, and the Jerome Prince Evidence Moot Court Competition. She was a finalist in the 2021 Louis V. Fasulo 1L Moot Court Competition and a top 16 Oralist in the 2022 Pace Advanced Appellate Advocacy Competition.
Experience
Experience
Representative Experience
- Represented the City of New York and members of the New York City Police Department and the New York City Department of Correction in litigation involving claims of false arrest, malicious prosecution, excessive force, and unreasonable search claims.
- Represented the City of New York in litigation in response to a reversed conviction, resulting in settlement.
Honors
- LIU Post University Senior Thesis Award in History
- LIU Post University Robert Gardner Endowed Scholarship in History
- LIU Post University History Prize for Excellence in the Dual Program
- Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University Merit Scholarship
- Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University 2021 Louis V. Fasulo 1L Moot Court Competition Finalist
- Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University Pace Advanced Appellate Advocacy Competition Top 16 Oralist
Professional Affiliations
- Connecticut Bar Association
- New York State Bar Association
Civic Activities
- Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University Mediation Training Program.
- Club and Youth Lacrosse Coach in Connecticut.
Capabilities
Capabilities
Practice Areas
Credentials
Credentials
Admitted to Practice
- Connecticut
- District of Connecticut
- Southern District of New York
- Eastern District of New York
Education
- Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, J.D.
- LIU Post University, M.S., Secondary Education, cum laude
- LIU Post University, B.A., History, cum laude