Meet Our Connecticut Real Estate Attorneys
George Holler
MANAGING PARTNER
Growing up my mom was a teacher and Dad delivered bread for a living. At 14, I started working as a dishwasher at the Bar-B-Q Restaurant in Milford. While the owners were very gruff people, their son Howard managed the kitchen. He taught me that a manager leads by example; that if you worked hard and respected your team, they would give you their very best. I soon learned to cook and moved on to Scribner’s Restaurant where the owner taught me an incredible lesson: “Sure, we can do it!” That was Scribner’s motto. At 9 p.m. on a Tuesday night in January when we hadn’t served a dinner in an hour and a couple called to say they’d be there in 15 minutes to eat, he said: “Sure we can do it, come on down.” He’d keep three people on staff just to serve dinner to two customers. He loved to make customers happy.
My mother went to law school later in life, and when I was admitted to the Connecticut Bar. I joined her firm. Her words to me: “Real estate is boring but it pays the bills; it’s yours.” Fortunately for me, I never found it boring. Closings are like puzzles that need to be put together. Lots of moving pieces: buyers, sellers, realtors, lenders, the other attorney, a title company, the water company, the tax collector, and the list goes on. Somehow, someone needs to get them all to cooperate to make the closing go smoothly. I loved the challenge then, and almost 20 years later, I still do.
Today I rely on the hard-working team Howard taught me to build, and I live by the can-do attitude that Scribner taught me. Our office is a great place to be—I love the people, I love what we do for our clients, and I love the challenge of getting it right, day-in and day-out.
Alex Jacobson
MANAGING ATTORNEY COLCHESTER
Alex Jacobson brings a deep commitment to justice and a practical, problem-solving approach to her real estate practice. Inspired by a fundamental belief in helping individuals achieve fairness in the legal system, she focuses on guiding clients through complex real estate transactions with skill and dedication.
A graduate of The University of Akron School of Law, Alex earned her J.D. summa cum laude in 1999 and served on the law review. She began her legal career in Ohio as General Counsel to Safeguard Properties, Inc., a nationwide property preservation services company. In 2002, Alex relocated to Connecticut, where she spent 21 years raising her twin children before sitting for the Connecticut bar and returning to active practice. She joined Mancuso Carey shortly before its acquisition by the Holler Law Firm.
Alex practices primarily in residential real estate, with additional work in commercial transactions and estate planning. She finds the most rewarding aspect of her practice is solving problems that enable clients to successfully buy or sell their homes. While she can engage in aggressive advocacy when necessary, Alex recognizes that clients typically want to keep transactions together and reach timely closings—situations where measured, strategic thinking often yields the best results.
A member of the Connecticut Bar Association, Alex also gives back to her community through pro bono estate planning services for veterans.
Originally from the Cleveland area, Alex grew up cheering for the Browns and the Guardians while embracing the vibrant 1980s concert scene. Outside the office, she enjoys spending time with her children and family, practicing and teaching yoga and meditation, attending retreats, and connecting with friends.
Phone: (860) 395-8813
Email: ajacobson@mancusocarey.com
Austin Apanovitch
MANAGING ATTORNEY ROCKY HILL
Austin Apanovitch brings a client-centered approach and deep transactional expertise to his work at Mancuso Carey. With a longstanding interest in transactional law, Austin found his perfect fit in real estate, where he helps clients navigate the complexities of buying, selling, and refinancing their homes.
Austin earned his J.D. from UConn Law in 2019, building on a strong educational foundation that includes a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of New Haven (2013) and dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in History and Public Policy & Law from Trinity College (2012).
His career path reflects diverse experience both in and outside the legal field. Austin worked at Plan B Burger Bar during his undergraduate years before joining the Newington Police Department, where he served from 2013 to 2018. He transitioned to legal practice as a law clerk at Gagliardi Doucette in South Windsor, then spent five years honing his skills at Kane, Hartely and Kane in Glastonbury before joining Mancuso Carey.
At Mancuso Carey, Austin focuses on residential real estate transactions and simple estate planning. He finds the most rewarding aspect of his work is helping clients find new homes, sell their old ones, or maximize the benefits of their refinances. A former member of the Glastonbury Education Foundation, Austin approaches every file as if it were a transaction for his own family, striving to create the best possible experience for each client.
A lifelong Glastonbury resident, Austin enjoys spending time with his family, taking his kids to trampoline parks, amusement parks, and other outdoor activities. When he's not with family, he likes to unwind playing video games with friends.
Phone:860-532-0101 Ext 101
Email: Aapanovitch@mancusocarey.com
David Botticello
ATTORNEY IN COLCHESTER & DANIELSON
David Botticello brings a unique and diverse background to Mancuso Carey, combining legal expertise with a deep commitment to serving the Connecticut community.
A Connecticut native with Italian and Irish heritage, David earned his law degree from Rutgers University School of Law in Camden, New Jersey, where he served as an editor for the law review and published a Note on search and seizure law. Following graduation in 2016, he clerked for a criminal judge before joining the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender. There, he specialized in administrative law, post-conviction relief, and mental health advocacy, regularly arguing criminal matters before the state appellate division. His primary role focused on special hearing litigation, where he advocated for individuals subject to civil or criminal commitment.
Before joining Mancuso Carey, David spent five years in commercial transactions with a global private finance firm, providing leasing and lending solutions for private business jets and other aerospace transactions—including participation in a $78 million aircraft lease deal. This experience equipped him with sophisticated commercial skills that he now applies to both residential and commercial real estate matters.
David's path to law was unconventional—he previously served as a tour guide with the National Park Service, an experience that cultivated his passion for history and commitment to public service. Returning home to Connecticut, he transitioned into real estate with the hope of helping people in his community with one of the most important purchases they will make in their lives.
Licensed to practice in Connecticut, David approaches each matter seeking real resolutions for clients. He believes that flexibility and creative problem-solving help clients achieve more favorable outcomes than they might otherwise expect. Recently, he helped a homeowner facing foreclosure successfully sell her property and purchase a more affordable home—the kind of meaningful result that drives his work.
Outside the office, David remains a history and museum enthusiast, occasionally volunteering as a tour guide or historic reenactor. He enjoys reading and joins his family in their tradition of hobbyist winemaking. As he continues to develop his Connecticut real estate practice, he looks forward to expanding his pro bono work to further serve the community.
Email: david.botticello@mancusocarey.com
Phone: (860) 878-7136
Deborah Everett
Chief Legal Officer
I knew I wanted to be an attorney since I was 5 years old. When I was in high school, I calculated the number of years it would take to finish college and law school and then had a personalized car license plates that had “ATTY” and the year that I planned on being licensed. I was committed to make it work, even though I was the first college graduate in my family.
After law school, I joined a small firm in Fort Worth, Texas. At that time, Fort Worth was like a small town in many ways, where you personally knew all of the judges and the attorneys that you encountered. I moved to East Texas when practicing law in the “small town” of Fort Worth changed to feel like a practicing in a big city. Although I had worked extensively in real estate transactions as an attorney, I found my true love when I was hired to be General Counsel for a regional bank and to run their subsidiary title agency. Those early years of operating a small title office and, not only overseeing, but often doing every job in a title agency helped me develop the skills that has carried me through my career.
When the opportunity came to transform my knowledge of a small Texas title agency into the role of Chief Compliance Officer for a national title direct operation, I knew exactly what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I have had the good fortune to see this industry from many different perspectives, large and small, residential and commercial, refinance and purchase, underwriter and agent. I just really love what I do. I enjoy sharing the knowledge that I have gained to help others.
I met George Holler at an industry conference and worked with him over the years as Holler Law Firm was THE law firm to handle attorney states. I once was in a very serious debate with an operations manager who, from an operations perspective wanted to use his preferred law firm while I, from a compliance perspective, was insisting that we use my preferred law firm. The funny thing was that we were both talking about Holler Law Firm.
Deborah has joined Holler Law Firm as the Chief Legal Officer.
Sean Sweeney
Of Counsel
Attorney Sean E. Sweeney has served as Of Counsel to the firm since the fall of 2025, concentrating primarily on residential real estate closings. With more than four decades of experience in Connecticut real estate law, he brings steady judgment, deep transactional knowledge, and a practical approach to every matter he handles.
A graduate of Stonehill College in North Easton, Massachusetts, and Western New England College School of Law, Attorney Sweeney has been a member of the Connecticut Bar since 1983. His practice has long focused on residential and commercial real estate transactions, representing buyers, sellers, and lenders. He also has significant experience in foreclosure and housing matters, having spent considerable time in Housing Court representing both landlords and tenants.
Attorney Sweeney resides in Wethersfield with his wife, Mary Beth, a teacher in the Rocky Hill school system. Outside the office, he enjoys reading, listening to music, running—having completed four marathons—and traveling.
Richard Jacobson
Of Counsel
Richard Jacobson brings over four decades of legal expertise to Mancuso Carey, where he serves as Of Counsel focusing on real estate transactions, foreclosure, and title matters. A Connecticut native, Richard earned his law degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 1977, graduating cum laude.
Over the course of his career, Richard became a recognized statewide expert in foreclosure, title, and REO. He served as co-owner of the largest foreclosure firm in Connecticut, which later merged to become one of the largest such firms in the nation. Among his most notable achievements, Richard successfully argued Stankiewicz v. Miami Beach Association, Inc. before the Connecticut Supreme Court — a landmark case whose holding on title rights related to roads depicted on subdivision maps continues to be cited by courts today.
Now in semi-retirement, Richard joined Mancuso Carey to continue applying his deep experience where it matters most: helping clients navigate complex real estate transactions with confidence.
Outside the office, Richard is active in his community, currently serving as president of his synagogue. He treasures time with his five children, eight grandchildren, and three dogs.
Admitted to practice before all Connecticut State Courts, United States District Court for the District of Connecticut, United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut, United States Claims Court, & United States Supreme Court.
Eric Burkett
Attorney
Eric is a real estate attorney whose practice focuses on residential and commercial real estate transactions and title matters. With more than 20 years of experience handling real estate transactions, he has managed thousands of closings and is known for solving complex title and transactional issues while helping transactions move efficiently to completion.
Eric earned his law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law after completing his undergraduate studies at the University of Georgia. A Georgia native, his education at UGA provided the foundation for a career centered on helping clients navigate important housing and financial transactions.
Known for his pragmatic and people-focused approach, Eric works closely with clients, lenders, and other professionals to guide transactions through the challenges that can arise during the closing process. His experience and practical perspective have made him a trusted resource for clients and industry professionals navigating complicated real estate matters. He believes every client brings their own story and circumstances to a transaction, and he prioritizes listening carefully and finding practical solutions that help move matters forward.
Eric is a member of the State Bar of Georgia and is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.
Outside the office, Eric enjoys spending time with friends, exploring Atlanta, and traveling to experience different cultures and perspectives.