Michael P. Kaelin

Background

Michael P. Kaelin is a Principal in Cummings & Lockwood's Litigation Group and is based in the Stamford office. 

Mike represents individuals, fiduciaries and businesses in commercial, employment, employee benefits, probate, trusts and estates, conservatorship, guardianship, and investment disputes, including wrongful discharge and discrimination claims, will contests, fiduciary removal proceedings, contested accountings, fee disputes, construction proceedings, undue influence actions, and commitment proceedings in trial and appellate courts in Connecticut and New York.

Practice Areas

• Litigation Group
• Trusts and Estates Litigation
• Employment Litigation
• Business and Commercial Litigation
• Closely-Held Business Litigation
• Tax Controversy and Litigation
• Appellate Litigation
• Family Office and Closely Held Business Group

Education

• Duke University School of Law (J.D., 1984)
• Duke University (B.A., cum laude, 1981)

Bar Admissions

• Connecticut, 1988
• New York, 1985
• United States District Court, Southern District of New York
• United States District Court, Eastern District of New York
• United States District Court, District of Connecticut
• United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
• United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
• United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
• United States Supreme Court

Professional Organizations

• Connecticut Bar Association
• Fairfield County Bar Association
• New York City Bar Association
• American Inns of Court, Fairfield County Chapter

Professional Recognition

• Chambers and Partners, High Net Worth Guide, Notable Practitioner, 2019 - Present
• The Best Lawyers in America, 2018 - Present
• Connecticut and New England Super Lawyers, 2011 - Present
• Martindale-Hubbell, AV Preeminent Rated, 2000 - Present

Civic and Philanthropic Activity

• Board of Finance, Wilton, Connecticut

Articles/Publications/Presentations

• Anatomy of a Will Contest
• Probate Jurisdiction and Procedure in Connecticut, 3d Edition, co-author, Thomson Reuters
• Probate Litigation in Connecticut, 3d Edition, co-author, Thomson Reuters
• Probate & Estate Litigation Forms, Library of Connecticut Civil Complaints for Business Litigation, 2010

Matters

• Hynes v. Jones, 331 Conn. 385 (2019)
• DeNunzio v. DeNunzio, 320 Conn. 178, 128 A.3d 901 (2016)
• Dinan v. Patten, 317 Conn. 185, 116 A.3d 275 (2015)

Books & Guides

• Probate Jurisdiction and Procedure in Connecticut, 2019 ed.
• Probate Litigation in Connecticut, 3d

News & Press Releases

• 18 Cummings & Lockwood Attorneys Named Top Lawyers in Fairfield County, Connecticut in 2021
• 35 Cummings & Lockwood Attorneys in Connecticut and Florida Have Been Named Among The Best Lawyers in America for 2021, 2 Attorneys Received Lawyer of the Year Awards and 8 Attorneys Have Been Identified as the Ones to Watch
• Cummings & Lockwood Garners the Top Spot in Private Wealth Law in Connecticut in the 2020 High Net Worth Guide
• 24 Cummings & Lockwood Attorneys Named in the 2020 Edition of Connecticut’s Best Lawyers
• 16 Cummings & Lockwood Attorneys Have Been Named 2019 New England Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
• 34 Cummings & Lockwood Attorneys in Connecticut and Florida Named Among The Best Lawyers in America for 2020
• Cummings & Lockwood Garners the Top Spot in Private Wealth Law in the 2019 Chambers High Net Worth Guide
• Cummings & Lockwood Successfully Represents 9/11 Widow in Connecticut Supreme Court
• Cummings & Lockwood Attorneys in Connecticut and Florida Named 2019 Best Lawyers in America
• 17 Cummings & Lockwood Attorneys Have Been Named 2018 New England Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
• 32 Cummings & Lockwood LLC Attorneys Named to 2018 Best Lawyers® List
• 17 Cummings & Lockwood Attorneys Have Been Named 2017 Connecticut Super Lawyers and 2017 Rising Stars
• 16 Cummings & Lockwood Attorneys Have Been Named 2016 Connecticut Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Videos

• Anatomy of a Will Contest