Peter M. Bryniczka

Litigation, Mediation & Arbitration

• Litigation, mediation and arbitration of family law matters

• Matrimonial actions, including complex valuation issues and high-conflict matters

• Appellate practice in family law matters

Custody & Support

• Custody and parenting time

• Alimony and child support

• Paternity

• Grandparent visitation

Financial & Property

• Equitable distribution

• Rights of cohabitants and palimony matters

Agreements

• Negotiation and preparation of prenuptial, postnuptial, and cohabitation agreements

• Negotiation and preparation of property settlement agreements

• Enforcement and modification of agreements, orders, and judgments

Protective Matters

• Domestic violence

Peter Bryniczka, a Partner at Schoonmaker George, has been an integral part of the close-knit Schoonmaker George family for nearly two decades. As a partner since 2013 and named partner since 2020, Peter consistently handles complex family law cases , regularly involving critical financial, custodial and parenting issues and disputes.

He is well versed in, and has written and lectured on various Family Law topics, spanning property and income interests, Trust related issues,

premarital agreements, custody and parenting issues , hedge funds and private equity funds, HIPAA and privileges, and trial practice techniques.

Peter’s prior term as president of the Greenwich Bar Association, along with his ongoing engagement, exemplify his commitment to serving the community and enable him to foster valuable connections with lawyers beyond his specific field of practice. These professional relationships consistently prove advantageous for Peter’s clients. In addition, Peter demonstrates his commitment to giving back by dedicating his time as a long-term volunteer coach for youth sports in his community.

Having grown up with a father who is a lawyer, Peter learned from an early age the art of reading a room and adapting his approach accordingly. This invaluable skill enables him to strike the delicate balance between firmness and gentleness, tailored to the unique needs and desires of each client as each case and client need a tailored approach. Peter makes it a point to quickly become attuned to the specific and individual needs of each client, understanding that knowing when to aggressively advocate and when to be a “bridge-builder” is crucial. He is experienced and adept at either approach, and has found that each case generally requires a mix of both to obtain the desired outcome in efficient fashion. Every case is approached with a personalized and tailored strategy, ensuring that individual interests are prioritized.

Greenwich Bar Association (2011 to present):

• President-Elect 2017 – 2018

• Vice President 2016 – 2017

• Treasurer 2015 – 2016

• Secretary 2014 – 2015

• Law Day – Senior Co-Chair 2013 – 2014

• Law Day – Junior Co-Chair 2012 – 2013

Fairfield County Bar Association:

• Family Law Section (2004 to present)

• Past Section Co-Chair, arranged monthly CLE luncheon presentations (2006 – July, 2012)

American Bar Association:

• Family Law Section (2004 to present)

• Participant in Drafting Committee regarding ABA Model Act for Third-Party Access (October, 2012)

Connecticut Bar Association:

• Family Law Section (2004 to present)

• Speaker at Connecticut Bar Association Seminar: "From Followers to Fortune via Likes, Lies & Livestreams: The Valuation of Influencers", June 13, 2025.

• Featured in The Greenwich Time: Peter Bryniczka recounts career-long tenure at Schoonmaker, George, Blomberg, Bryniczka & Welsh

• January 2021: Attorney Peter M. Bryniczka was featured in Healthy Divorce in Unhealthy Times Article published in Westport Lifestyle

• May 11th, 2018: Attorney Peter M. Bryniczka, current President of the Greenwich Bar Association, presided over the 2018 Greenwich Law Day Luncheon. This year's theme examined the importance of Separation of Powers to our fundamental democracy and the featured Keynote Speaker was The Honorable Kevin Tierney, Judge of the Connecticut Superior Court

• Speaker at Annual Year-End Dinner of Estate Planning Council of Lower Fairfield County- "Until Death do Us Part…Or Not: Overview of Connecticut law as to what constitutes "property" for purposes of equitable distribution on divorce and how that definition applies to beneficiaries' interests in Trusts." (December, 2016)

• Presenter on "Divorce Litigant's Property and Trust Interests and Use of Premarital Agreements," delivered to Bessemer Trust, Greenwich. (December, 2016)

• Presenter on "Exploring Custody, Visitation and Support Issues" at National Business Institute Seminar (August, 2016)

• Presenter on "Marriage Dissolution: Process and Procedure" and "Child Custody and Visitation Rights" at National Business Institute Seminar (March, 2016).

• Co-Presenter on "HIPAA and Privilege Issues: Frequently Cited, Often Misused: HIPAA vs. Statutory Privilege" presented to Fairfield County Bar Association (October, 2015)

• Co-Author – "Hedge Funds and Private Equity Funds: What They Are, How They Operate, How to Value and What Every Matrimonial Attorney Should Know About Them" (a three part series) in Connecticut Lawyer Magazine, June 2015.

• Presenter on "Advanced Child and Spousal Support Issues" at National Business Institute Seminar (March, 2015)

• Designed and delivered presentations on Trust Interests of Divorce Litigants and Premarital Agreements to Lower Fairfield County Estate Planning Council of Lower Fairfield County and to Trust & Estates Departments of Day Pitney, LLP (October & November of 2014 and September of 2015)

• Annual Guest Lecturer at The University of Connecticut (Stamford Branch) Course ("Legal Aspects of Family Life") (August 28, 2014; March 23, 2015; March 28, 2016)

• American Bar Association, Family Law Section, Member; Committee Member re: Drafting of the ABA Model Third Party Child Custody & Visitation Act

• Co-Author of Chapter on "Trial Practice Techniques" in MCLE/New England: "A Practical Guide to Divorce in Connecticut" (Published December 27, 2013)

• Speaker, Withers Bergman, LLP Seminar: "Planning for Same-Sex Couples after the Windsor Decision and the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)", September 24, 2013

• Author: "Rights, Responsibilities and Liabilities of a Stepparent," ABA Family Advocate, pp. 26-29, Vol. 36, No. 1, Summer 2013.

• "Financial Divorce Settlements From Start to Finish" – Presenter on Ethics – National Business Institute Seminar (August 2013)

• "Overview of HIPAA for Connecticut Family Lawyers" – Presentation to Connecticut Bar Association, Family Law Section (November, 2012)

• "Top Ten Family Law Decisions" – Panel Member presenting and discussing significant Family Law Decisions in Connecticut in a variety of categories. (Presented to Fairfield County Bar Association (March 30, 2011); Presented to the Connecticut Bar Association (January 27, 2012) (also presented/available via "Web-Cast")

• "Nuts and Bolts of Connecticut Family Law" – Presentation Greenwich Rotary Club (March, 2011)

• Author: "The HIPAA Hurdle: The If, When and How to Get Records Covered by the Act", ABA Family Advocate, Spring, 2008. Article Re-Published in: ABA GP Solo (March 2009).

• Editor (2005-2010) – Connecticut Family Law Citations: A Reference Guide to Connecticut Family Law Decisions (by Cynthia C. George and Thomas D. Colin)

• Service as an Attorney for the Minor Child(ren); Completed all mandatory requirements for the Connecticut Guardian Ad Litem/Attorney for the Minor Child Comprehensive Basic Training

• Board Member – Smart Litigator Connecticut (2013 – date): Board Member of Smart Litigator Connecticut, representing Family Law Practice (Smart Litigator Board Members contribute Practice Questions and Answers and answer user questions received on the Smart Litigator website in their areas of expertise. Smart Litigator is a comprehensive online state-specific research and practice solution that provides quick access to all the materials a busy litigator needs to practice effectively)

Client confidentiality is held to the highest standard, and Jill takes great care to protect the privacy of every matter she handles. While specific case details remain strictly confidential, testimonials from past clients speaking to their experience working with Jill can be viewed here: https://sgbfamilylaw.com/connecticut/hear-what-our-clients-are-saying-testimonials

Peter lives in Fairfield County, Connecticut with his wife Erica, along with their son, daughter, and two Golden Retrievers, Ginger and Honey. In his free time, Peter enjoys boating, fishing, skiing, surfing and traveling with his family, and playing music. He is proud to have been a co-founding member of the UCONN Law Ice Hockey Team.

Super Lawyers:

• Selected to Super Lawyers, 2014 – 2025

• Rising Star, 2009 – 2013

Best Lawyers:

• Recognized in "The Best Lawyers in America®" for work in Family Law, 2018 – 2027

• Included in the 2026 – 2027 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® for Family Law

• Selected by peers as one of the 27th Edition of the "Best Lawyers in America®", 2021

Connecticut Magazine:

• Top Attorneys in Connecticut, 2013 – 2022

• Top Attorneys in Connecticut – Outstanding Young Lawyers, 2012

• Top Young Attorneys in Connecticut – Rising Stars, 2011

• Outstanding Young Lawyers/Rising Stars, 2010

Connecticut Law Tribune:

• Firm named "Matrimonial Litigation Department of the Year", 2013

• "New Leaders in the Law", 2012 (one of sixty Connecticut Attorneys under age 40)

Avvo:

• Received highest rating of 10 ("Superb")

Other:

• Selected as one of Fairfield County's "40 Under 40" for 2015 – (one of only forty Fairfield County Professionals under age 40 selected for recognition based on leadership, professional development and accomplishments).

• Schoonmaker George, Partner 2008 – Present

• Schoonmaker George, Associate 2004 – 2008

• Schoonmaker George Summer Associate

Wesleyan University

B.A.

1997 - 2001

University of Connecticut

J.D.

2001 - 2004