Aaron S. Bayer

Aaron S. Bayer is Special Counsel at Wiggin and Dana in Hartford and co-chair of the firm’s Education Practice Group. His work includes appellate matters, commercial litigation, education law, and litigation and regulatory compliance. He advises businesses, colleges, universities, schools, and nonprofit organizations on disputes, appeals, regulatory matters, and investigations. His background includes extensive government and institutional experience, giving his practice a combination of appellate advocacy, litigation strategy, and counseling on complex legal and regulatory questions.

Bayer earned a J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1980, graduating cum laude. He received a B.A. from Yale University in 1977, graduating summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. His academic training preceded a career involving appellate litigation, government service, regulatory counseling, and education law. The combination of legal analysis and institutional work supports his handling of matters that require careful review of records, administrative issues, legal precedent, and organizational decision-making.

Bayer previously served as General Counsel and Secretary of Connecticut College, experience that informs his work with higher education institutions and other nonprofit organizations. His practice includes complex appeals, commercial disputes, regulatory compliance matters, and investigations. He has chaired the firm’s Appellate Practice Group. Clients turn to him for matters that can involve institutional governance, administrative requirements, litigation risk, appellate procedure, and the legal obligations faced by educational institutions and other organizations operating in regulated settings.

Aaron S. Bayer has been recognized in Best Lawyers for appellate practice since 2006 and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers. His professional service has included bar and foundation activities in Connecticut. His current work continues to span appellate practice, commercial litigation, education law, and regulatory counseling. That combination allows him to advise organizations through disputes and institutional challenges while drawing on experience gained in private practice, government work, and in-house leadership.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Wiggin and Dana LLP
• Member, Connecticut Bar Association
• Fellow, American Academy of Appellate Lawyers
• Cooper Fellows Education and Program Committee, Connecticut Bar Foundation
• Chair, Connecticut Legal Services (2008-2009)
• Chair, Committee on Access to Judicial Proceedings, Connecticut Judicial Branch Public Access Task Force (2006)
• Vice President, Connecticut Foundation for Open Government (2001-2015)
• Board Member, Connecticut Public Affairs Network (2012 – Present)
• Board Member, International Festival of Arts & Ideas (2005-2007)

Licensed State

• Connecticut

Education

• Harvard Law School
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Yale University
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges