Your Business, Our priority

Skilled and passionate advocates for businesses and their owners.

Meet JAY

Experience

Jay founded the Law Offices of Joseph J. Arcata III, LLC in 2024. Formerly a partner at two of the most prominent law firms in the region, he brings two decades of experience helping businesses navigate complex legal disputes and strategic corporate transactions. With a dual focus on high-stakes business litigation and the intricacies of mergers and acquisitions, he offers clients a comprehensive approach to protecting their interests and achieving their growth objectives.

In the realm of commercial litigation, Jay is known for his tenacious yet measured advocacy. He represents clients in a range of commercial disputes, including breach of contract, unfair trade practices, business "divorces," real estate litigation, intellectual property litigation, and other business torts. Jay understands the commercial realities facing businesses and works diligently to achieve favorable outcomes, whether through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or trial.

In the area of mergers and acquisitions, Jay guides both buyers and sellers through every stage of the process, from initial due diligence to post-acquisition integration. His practice includes drafting and negotiating complex agreements, ensuring regulatory compliance, assessing legal risks, and structuring deals to maximize business benefits and mitigate potential liabilities.

Education

After graduating from Providence College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, Jay earned a Juris Doctor degree from Quinnipiac University School of Law School where he was the Lead Articles Editor of the Quinnipiac Probate Law Journal.

Accomplishments

New England Super Lawyers – “Super Lawyer”
Connecticut Bar Foundation – James W. Cooper Lifetime Fellow
Connecticut Law Tribune – “New Leaders of the Law” Award Recipient (2016)
Leadership Greater Hartford – Quest Graduate (2014)
Hartford Business Journal – “40 Under 40” Award Recipient (2012)

Community Service

Dean's Advisory Board Member - Quinnipiac University School of Law
Board of Directors - Easterseals Capital Region & Eastern Connecticut
Board of Trustees - Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (Connecticut)
Past Vice Chairman of the Board - Hartford's Camp Courant
Past President - Quinnipiac University School of Law Alumni Association
Past Vice President - Providence College Hartford Alumni Chapter

REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS

Litigation

• Lead trial counsel in more than a dozen cases tried to conclusion.
• Litigated multi-faceted construction defect dispute involving the "Big Dig" project in Boston, MA.

• Successfully defended a multi-million dollar vexatious litigation lawsuit brought by a prominent real estate developer.

• Lead co-counsel in $47M lawsuit brought by insurer against a prescription drug manufacturer for alleged anti-competitive practices.

• Successfully tried to conclusion the first negligent failure to settle case to proceed to verdict in Connecticut (Carford v. Empire Fire & Marine Ins. Co., No. CV065001946, 2012 WL 4040337 (Conn. Super. Aug. 21, 2012)).

Mergers & Acquisitions

• Represented a manufacturer of optical equipment in the sale of its equity to a strategic purchaser for a base purchase price of $26,000,000. Managed all facets of the deal, including CFIUS approval process.

• Represented a software company in the sale of its equity to a strategic purchaser for a base purchase price of $21,500,000.

• Represented a manufacturer in the sale of its assets to a private equity purchaser for a base purchase price of $15,000,000.

• Represented a dairy company in the sale of its assets to a strategic purchaser for a base purchase price of $8,300,000.

• Represented a private equity investor in the acquisition of franchise rights to 30+ fitness and wellness centers.

Corporate

• Represented a private equity investor in multiple asset-based financing transactions.

• Represented a private equity firm in various transactions involving the transfer of film and digital media tax credits.

• Represented a media-focused investment bank in connection with its day-to-day contractual and transactional needs.

• Represented a manufacturer and distributor of medical products in connection with its day-to-day legal needs.