Firm

Chambers High Net Worth Guide

Cummings & Lockwood is pleased to announce that the firm’s Private Clients Group in Connecticut has achieved the top tier ranking by Chambers High Net Worth Guide for the 10th consecutive year in private wealth law.

In addition, nine Cummings & Lockwood attorneys also have been recognized by Chambers High Net Worth Guide as notable practitioners in private wealth law, including Laura W. Beck (Band 1), Paul L. Bourdeau (Band 1), Daniel P. Fitzgerald (Up and Coming), Daniel G. Johnson (Band 4), Douglas H. Olin (Band 3), Kelley Galica Peck (Band 3), Heather J. Rhoades (Band 2), George L. Smith (Band 3), and Howard S. Tuthill III (Band 2). In addition, Michael P. Kaelin (Band 1) and Charles W. Pieterse (Band 1) were identified as a notable practitioners in private wealth disputes.

“We are very proud that Cummings & Lockwood and a number of our attorneys have been recognized by Chambers as leading authorities on trusts and estates law serving the complex needs of high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals,” according to Heather J. Rhoades, Chair of the firm’s Private Clients Group. “We endeavor to provide our private clients with cutting-edge industry knowledge and expertise; sophisticated, client-driven strategies; bespoke legal advisory services; partner-level attention; stability and continuity for multi-generational families and their businesses; and an exceptional client experience.”

Firm Accolades:

"Cummings & Lockwood is my number one referral choice for complex trust and estate matters."
"I have found Cummings & Lockwood lawyers to be extremely skilled, ethical and practical - a unique and valued combination. The law firm is well positioned to handle complex and sophisticated matters."
"I like the fact that Cummings & Lockwood [is] a boutique, specializing in estate planning. They have the depth to handle a variety of different issues.”

Notable Practitioners:

Laura W. Beck (Greenwich) -- "Laura is my main contact at Cummings & Lockwood and is the go to person if you need to get something complicated done right." "Laura Beck is excellent at handling complex and sophisticated matters. I can always trust her for a clear and decisive answer." "Laura is incredibly personable, has a good beside manner and is particularly good for clients looking for non-New York attorneys." "Laura Beck is the absolute highest quality legal expert we could ask for. She is incredibly intelligent and responsive. She never makes it complex; she uses simple language which is appreciated." "Laura Beck is at the top of her field in terms of what she does as a trust and estates attorney."
Paul L. Bourdeau (West Hartford) -- "Paul is an excellent communicator - he breaks down incredibly complex tax aspects into simple terms and never uses jargon." "Paul is a tremendous lawyer. He is incredibly smart and thoughtful." "Paul Bourdeau has a strong reputation among interviewees for his comprehensive trust and estates practice. Many of his matters involve clients with high value assets."
Daniel P. Fitzgerald (Greenwich) -- "Daniel Fitzgerald heads the firm's Greenwich office. He advises wealthy clients on estate plans and administration and tax matters."
Daniel G. Johnson (Stamford) -- "Daniel runs the Stamford office and [is] considered one of the top trust and estate attorneys in lower Fairfield County." "Daniel Johnson's practice covers trust and estate administration along with family business succession and estate planning. He has a strong reputation for this work in Connecticut." "Daniel Johnson is a strong, holistic adviser."
Michael P. Kaelin (Stamford) -- "I hold Michael in the highest regard. He is a skilled litigator and a tireless advocate for his clients, yet he is also blessed with a practical appreciation for the risks and benefits of litigation." "Michael is a very capable and sophisticated estate and probate litigation attorney." "Michael Kaelin is a highly rated litigation lawyer with significant experience handling contentious trust and estate disputes." "Michael Kaelin is a very good lawyer and skilled litigator." "Mike Kaelin is very smart and he is a tireless advocate."

Douglas H. Olin (Greenwich) -- "Douglas Olin advises high net worth clients on estate and trust planning as well as administration."

Kelley Galica Peck (West Hartford) -- "Kelley is a very strong planning lawyer.” "Kelley Galica Peck advises on trust and estate planning and administration, as well as charitable gift planning." "Kelley Galica Peck has deep knowledge of tax and estate administration."
Charles W. Pieterse (Stamford) -- "Charles Pieterse is a renowned trust and estate litigator in Connecticut." "Charles Pieterse is a highly skilled attorney who is dedicated to his clients." "Charles Pieterse is the cream of the crop." "Charles Pieterse is the best in Connecticut. If I need help with respect to a Connecticut trust or estate dispute, I call Pieterse immediately." "Charles has great judgement. He is not easily rattled. He provides calm, clear guidance even when tensions are high." "Charlie is one of the leading probate litigators in the United States. He is smart, creative and aggressive - an absolute winning combination."

Heather J. Rhoades (West Hartford) -- "We cannot speak highly enough of Heather. She's a great [external] member of our team." "Heather is very client centric and is truly an expert in the estate planning marketplace." "Heather Rhoades advises clients on charitable and estate planning in addition to trust administration."
George L. Smith (Greenwich) -- "George Smith advises high net worth clients on estate and trust planning and administration."

Howard S. Tuthill III (Stamford) -- "Howard Tuthill works with high net worth clients on trust and estate planning and probate administration, and acts as a fiduciary. He is well respected among trusts and estate lawyers for this work."

Chambers rankings are the definitive mark of excellence across the legal industry. The qualities on which rankings are assessed include technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial astuteness, diligence and commitment. A ranking from Chambers shows that a law firm or attorney has stood out in the most rigorous, independent and in-depth research process of any legal directory on the market, and emerged as one of the best in the field.

About Chambers High Net Worth Guide

The Chambers High Net Worth Guide differentiates the best professional advisers for international private wealth by identifying and ranking law firms, lawyers and a range of other professional advisers globally.The firms and individuals ranked in Chambers High Net Worth Guide understand the complex needs of high net worth individuals and provide specialist advice. As well as ranking lawyers and law firms, the guide also recommends top accountancy firms, private banks, wealth managers, trust companies and other professional advisers to high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals globally.Family offices and professional advisers to wealthy individuals use these rankings and analysis to get an objective view of the leading professional advisers on an international scale.

These extensive and market-leading recommendations, rankings and insights are based on the in-depth analysis carried out by a dedicated team of experienced researchers.

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