Attorney rachel m. Baird
Attorney Baird is an experienced lawyer with a proven track record of success in a variety of legal practice areas who is dedicated to providing clients with personalized and effective legal representation.
With over 30 years of experience, Ms. Baird brings deep legal insight and a commitment to advocacy in every case she handles. A Yale Law School graduate (Class of 1992), Ms. Baird began her legal career as an Assistant Attorney General, followed by service as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Connecticut. Her experience spans civil, administrative, and criminal law, making her a trusted representative for individuals, businesses, and law enforcement professionals alike.
Before entering the legal field, Ms. Baird served six years in the United States Air Force. She studied at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California, and later completed her undergraduate studies in International Studies, magna cum laude, at the University of South Carolina.
Since opening her private practice in 2001, Ms. Baird has appeared before federal courts including the Second and Ninth Circuit Courts of Appeals, and has earned recognition as a Super Lawyers® selectee in Connecticut from 2015 to 2016 and 2019 to 2024. She is admitted to practice in Connecticut, Massachusetts, the District of Columbia, and before the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut.
In partnership with Legal Investigator Ed Peruta since 2007, Ms. Baird has championed transparency and accountability through cases involving the Freedom of Information Act, constitutional rights, and most recently, unit owner protections in Homeowners Associations. Her commitment to ethical property management led to her registration with the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection as a Community Association Manager, after passing the Certified Manager of Community Associations exam in February 2025.
Attorney Baird is currently focused on condominium and HOA law, while continuing to accept select matters in other areas of legal practice.
legal investigator edward peruta
Legal Investigator Ed Peruta brings a wealth of experience and investigative insight to the legal team, grounded in decades of work in journalism, public affairs, and law enforcement. A U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam combat veteran, Ed carries with him the skills and training he acquired in the Marine Corps and at the municipal police academy after his return from service. This experience and training continue to inform his investigative approach and commitment to government accountability.
In 1989, Ed founded American News and Information Services, a news-gathering organization dedicated to covering legal and political issues across the country. By 1991, he had expanded the platform to include cable television productions on Cox Communications, producing coverage of current events that continues to this day on other platforms. Ed is a strong advocate for veterans’ issues and is especially vocal in his support of the First and Second Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
Since 2007, Ed has worked exclusively with Attorney Baird as her full-time legal investigator. His contributions have been instrumental in cases involving civil liberties, firearms rights, the Freedom of Information Act, and the Hartford Civilian Police Review Board. His deep understanding of investigative techniques, combined with his extensive media and legal experience, brings a unique and invaluable perspective to the practice.
Ed’s background in firearms law gained national attention when he participated in a 2015 interview for Mother Jones magazine, which detailed his involvement in a landmark Ninth Circuit appeal. Rather than offer a personal narrative, Mr. Peruta prefers readers to explore that interview for a deeper look into his work and views.
Ed is currently engaged in efforts to protect the rights of Connecticut condominium unit owners, working alongside Ms. Baird to investigate property management practices and advocate for legislative reform.