How old are your kids and how long have you lived in the area?
Stef is 38 (married to Mark, 39); Max is 34. My grandson, Cyrus, is 8 and my granddaughter, Chloe, is 6. My husband Burt and I moved to Westport in 2002.
How did you end up where you are now in terms of your job?
I served as an Assistant District Attorney in Worcester, MA where I was born and raised. After five years of prosecuting serious felony cases, I joined a well-known firm where I maintained a general practice with an emphasis on criminal defense and family law, until moving to Westport. After practicing with a family law firm in Stamford for a couple of years, my now partner, Eric Broder and I, co- founded Broder & Orland LLC, 16 years ago. We became the largest family and matrimonial law firm in Connecticut! We currently have offices in Westport and Greenwich and the firm was recently renamed Broder Orland Murray & DeMattie LLC. (You can also learn more about Carole’s fascinating journey to law here!)
What was your best memory from 2020, a strange year we know…
That’s an easy one! My COVID “silver lining” is that our daughter, son-in-law, and our grandchildren moved from NYC to Westport in July and our son moved to Stamford in December!
What are you most looking forward to in 2021?
Seeing people smile. Being with and hugging friends. On a professional level, meeting with my clients in person and getting back into Court. My practice was never meant to look like Hollywood Squares on Zoom!
What is the best show you have recently (binge) watched? AND/OR what is the last book you read?
My TV viewing is basically limited to the news and sports. I did however binge watch The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel one recent weekend. (I know I’m a few years behind!). I am slowly making my way through Obama’s latest book and for fun, I just read Going Into Town by the pre-eminent New Yorker cartoonist Roz Chast, sent to me for my birthday by my friend who knows I love and miss all things New York.
What is one food you could not live without?
Really, really good ice cream. Don’t waste time on ice cream lite.
What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I have never had a cup of coffee in my life! I generate my own energy.
If you weren’t doing what you are today, what do you think your career path might have been?
I would have been a political journalist, ideally with my own prime time cable TV slot (didn’t exist back then!). Alternatively, I would have become an interior designer. I’m living in my sixth house, and think I’m getting the hang of It!
If you had 24 hours to do whatever you wanted to do, what would it be?
I would start off at a fabulous spa in NYC, attend a matinee of a great Broadway show, shop a little for fun, and eat dinner at whatever the most fabulous restaurant is at the time. Of course I would be joined by family and friends throughout. Actually, this is exactly the day Stef surprised me with for a recent birthday! She gets her mom.
What was your most memorable family vacation and why?
Our annual family vacations in Nantucket are most special for all of us. The island is magical and works its wonders in ways that are really indescribable.
What is the best white lie you have told your kids?
Umm… [They are reading this!]
Are you a morning person, or a night owl?
I never sleep.
What is the first thing you do when you walk in the door after a long day?
Kiss my husband and then check my email to see what I may have missed in the 5 minute drive from my office to home. I need to break that habit.
Who in your life was – or is – the greatest inspiration for what you’re doing today?
My entire family–my grandparents, my parents, my husband, my kids and now my grandkids. Each of them in certain ways has inspired me to achieve success and have supported me along my journey. I am so lucky.
QUICK THIS OR THAT:
Cake or Pie? Cake baked by Stef and Chloe from the Magnolia Bakery cookbook my friend sent them as a housewarming gift. Smart friend.
At a movie: Candy or Popcorn? Popcorn layered with ridiculously unhealthy butter.
Pancakes or Waffles? Pancakes with real maple syrup that somehow always disappears as I make my way through the stack.
Beach or Mountains? Beach, where I am fortunate to live. Waking up in the morning to a view of the sun glistening on the water never gets old.
Puzzle or Board Game? Sunday NYT crossword puzzle.
Chocolate or Vanilla? Vanilla, which hopefully is not how someone would describe my personality.
Reading or Writing? Writing.
Ketchup or Mustard? Mustard.
Watch or play sports? Avid spectator and especially a fan of all Boston sports teams. Now I love Saturdays at Wakeman Field watching Cyrus and Chloe play soccer.
Winter or Summer? Love both. I’m a New England girl through and through.
Comedy or Drama? Both. Which is why I believe I am well suited to the practice of family law.