Department profile
Cummings & Lockwood LLC

Private Wealth Law

High Net Worth Guide 2026 : Connecticut

Share profile

Cummings & Lockwood LLC

Rankings

About

Provided by Cummings & Lockwood LLC

Private Clients Practice:

Cummings & Lockwood has one of the largest, most skilled and most respected trusts and estates practices in the United States. For over 100 years, Cummings & Lockwood has been building meaningful and lasting relationships with our private clients, serving as trusted advisors throughout their lifetimes and providing sophisticated legal counsel at every important stage of their lives. The firm’s Connecticut private wealth law practice has been ranked in Band 1 by Chambers High Net Worth Guide for 11 consecutive years. 

We offer a broad range of services, including the following:

  • Estate planning and administration
  • Estate, income and gift tax planning
  • Wealth protection planning
  • Trust formation and management
  • Philanthropic giving
  • Probate and estate settlement
  • International estate and tax planning
  • Executor and trustee services
  • Business succession planning
  • Fiduciary and probate litigation
  • Tax controversy and litigation

Whether dealing with recently acquired assets or family fortunes that span generations, Cummings & Lockwood provides innovative solutions to preserve, enhance and transition our clients' wealth, as well as meet their varied legal needs and personal goals.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Private Wealth Law - Connecticut

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Cummings & Lockwood advises on trust and estate planning matters. Its team often advises on matters involving very high asset values. The team also represents high net worth clients on litigation matters.

View ranking table

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The firm's depth of talent results in a high level of service and responsiveness.

    Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth

  • They consistently demonstrate responsiveness, clear communication, and a genuine dedication to understanding their clients' needs. Their legal expertise is evident in their thorough and insightful advice, and they have an impressive track record of delivering successful outcomes even in complex matters for my clients.

    Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth

  • Cummings & Lockwood has the ability to problem-solve, to think critically and strategically, and to think outside of the box when necessary to address issues. The team also has excellent interpersonal and client management skills and excellent time management skills.

    Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Laura Beck
    Laura Beck

    Laura Beck

    Laura Beck's practice covers trust and estate administration, and business succession planning. She also represents clients in probate litigation.
    View profile
  • Charles W. Pieterse
    Charles W. Pieterse

    Charles W. Pieterse

    Charles Pieterse is a renowned trust and estate litigator in Connecticut.

    • Charlie is an excellent attorney and a very skilled and sophisticated transactional attorney and fiduciary litigator with the ability to problem-solve and think outside the box for his clients. He is extremely responsive and sensible to work with.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth

    • Charlie is the premier trust and estate litigator in the state and has been for quite some time. He is practical and empathic, but tough and very technical.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth

    • Charles is very good at talking to people like a counsellor. He is understanding and calming in stressful situations.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    View profile
  • Michael Kaelin
    Michael Kaelin

    Michael Kaelin

    Michael Kaelin is a highly rated litigation lawyer with significant experience handling contentious trust and estate disputes.

    • Michael Kaelin is experienced, able to think outside of the box and fluent.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    View profile
  • Douglas Olin
    Douglas Olin

    Douglas Olin

    Douglas Olin advises high net worth clients on estate and trust planning as well as administration.
    View profile
  • Heather Rhoades
    Heather Rhoades

    Heather Rhoades

    Heather Rhoades advises clients on charitable and estate planning in addition to trust administration.

    • Heather Rhoades provides exceptional service. She gives clear, concise advice coupled with impeccable documents. She is always forward-thinking and makes recommendations to avoid pitfalls.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    View profile
  • Howard Tuthill
    Howard Tuthill

    Howard Tuthill

    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.
    View profile
  • Paul Bourdeau
    Paul Bourdeau

    Paul Bourdeau

    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.

    View profile
  • George Smith
    George Smith

    George Smith

    George Smith advises high net worth clients on estate and trust planning and administration. Smith recently joined Cummings & Lockwood from Whitman Breed Abbott & Morgan.

    View profile
  • Kelley Galica Peck
    Kelley Galica Peck

    Kelley Galica Peck

    Kelley Galica Peck advises on trust and estate planning and administration, as well as charitable gift planning.

    • Kelley is very capable. She is adept with fiscal analyses, including taxation, and personable and efficient. She uses time well and meets all timelines comfortably.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    View profile
  • Daniel Johnson
    Daniel Johnson

    Daniel Johnson

    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.
    View profile
  • Daniel P. Fitzgerald
    Daniel P. Fitzgerald

    Daniel P. Fitzgerald

    Daniel Fitzgerald heads the firm's Greenwich office. He advises wealthy clients on estate plans and administration and tax matters.

    • Dan is incredibly knowledgeable in so many areas. He delivers incredible customer service and is very kind, patient and respectful with his clients.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    View profile
  • Wyatt Jansen
    Wyatt Jansen

    Wyatt Jansen

    Wyatt Jansen acts on behalf of high net worth clients and fiduciaries in private wealth disputes.

    • Wyatt has a very calm way about him. He is good at explaining things in a way that clients can understand.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    View profile

Ranked Individuals at Cummings & Lockwood LLC (12)

Connecticut

Members

Provided by Cummings & Lockwood LLC

What success is built on

Chambers is the leading data and intelligence partner for the legal sector.

Explore thought leadership