Diana Conti & Tunila, LLP

Diana Conti & Tunila, LLP is a Manchester-based law firm handling personal injury, criminal defense, and tax matters for clients throughout Hartford County and eastern Connecticut. The firm brings a practical, no-frills approach to legal work, prioritizing results over polish. Its tax practice covers property assessment appeals alongside broader state and federal tax matters. The firm's dual focus on tax law and personal injury gives it a specific niche: clients who've suffered property damage from an accident or disaster and need both a personal injury claim and an assessment correction handled at the same time. It also serves small business owners in Manchester and surrounding towns who face property tax challenges on commercial or mixed-use holdings. The firm has a moderate rating, which reflects a range of client experiences worth understanding before you engage.

Conti & Tunila handles property tax appeals for residential and commercial clients in Hartford County. Services include reviewing assessment notices, pulling comparable sales evidence, filing formal appeals with the Board of Assessment Appeals, and escalating to Superior Court when necessary. The firm also advises on Connecticut exemptions for eligible property owners. On the broader tax side, the firm assists with state tax compliance matters, disputes with the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services, and tax issues that arise in small business contexts. These services sometimes overlap with property tax when business personal property assessments or real property valuations for commercial clients are in question. For clients with personal injury matters, the firm handles insurance negotiations and litigation related to accidents, premises liability, and other injury claims. The criminal defense practice covers misdemeanors and felonies in Connecticut courts. While the property tax practice is the focus here, the firm's range means clients with multi-issue legal needs may find it useful.

Conti & Tunila starts with a review of your current assessment and property records. For commercial clients, this includes business personal property declarations if applicable. The firm checks for factual errors first, then builds a market-value argument using comparable sales or, for income-producing properties, a cash flow analysis. Appeals are filed before the Connecticut Board of Assessment Appeals deadline. Clients receive a written summary of the evidence package before the hearing. The attorneys attend hearings directly rather than delegating to staff, which clients tend to value. If the board result is unsatisfactory, the firm evaluates Superior Court viability before recommending escalation. For criminal defense and personal injury matters, processes differ and are handled under separate engagement terms. All property tax appeal engagements are confirmed in writing with clear fee arrangements.

The firm serves clients primarily in Manchester, South Windsor, Bolton, Vernon, and eastern Hartford County. Tax and personal injury clients occasionally come from Tolland County. For commercial property appeals, the firm takes matters in New Haven County when the client relationship supports it. Criminal defense work is concentrated in the Geographical Area 14 and 15 court districts serving Hartford and Tolland Counties.