Paul J. Knierim

Disputes related to probate, wills and trusts, and eldercare concerns are some of the most emotionally charged conflicts that individuals and families go through. At the heart of these disagreements lie deeply personal issues related to family, independence, security and relationships. Fortunately, despite the emotional nature of these issues, it's often possible to reach resolution without resorting to litigation.

That's where Attorney Paul Knierim, a retired probate judge, comes in. As the head of our dispute resolution practice, he brings unparalleled problem-solving strategies to bear on even the most complex of issues. Dispute resolution is a voluntary process designed to help parties achieve a mutually beneficial settlement that ends a disagreement in a faster manner and at far less expense than a typical court case.

Paul's experience includes more than two decades of service in the judiciary. After 10 years as judge of the Simsbury Probate Court, the Chief Justice appointed Paul to lead the state’s Probate Courts as Probate Court Administrator, a role he served from 2008 to 2019.

Paul’s experience as a lawyer and judge is enormously valuable to his clients, but it's his ability to bring a sense of calm to tense situations and his skill in facilitating creative solutions that make him so good as a mediator. A problem-solver with deep knowledge of probate law and keen insight into family dynamics, Paul provides objective and practical guidance to help families resolve their conflicts quickly, cost effectively, and with as little drama as possible.

Estate Planning

Guardianship & Conservatorship Estate Administration, Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills

Probate

Probate Administration, Probate Litigation, Will Contests

Elder Law

Arbitration & Mediation

Business Arbitration, Consumer Arbitration, Family Arbitration

Partner

Czepiga Daly Pope & Perri

2022 - Current

Counsel

Czepiga Daly Pope & Perri LLC

2019 - 2021

Probate Court Administrator

State of Connecticut

2008 - 2019

Judge

Simsbury Probate Court

1999 - 2011

Partner

Cummings & Lockwood LLC

1997 - 2000

Partner

Drew, Mersereau & Knierim

1991 - 1997

State Representative

Connecticut General Assembly

1991 - 1997

Law Clerk

Connecticut Supreme Court

1989 - 1990

Yale Law School

J.D. (1989)

1989

Williams College

B.A. (1986)

1986

Honors: summa cum laude

Daniel F. Caruso Public Service Award

CT Probate Assembly

2021

Treat Award for Excellence

National College of Probate Judges

2019

Henry J. Naruk Judiciary Award

CT Bar Association

Capitol Caregiver Award

AARP

Connecticut Bar

Current

Activities: Estate and Probate section, Elder Law section, Opioid Task Force

Connecticut Bar Foundation

Current

Elder Justice Coalition

Member

Current

Connecticut Probate Assembly (Emeritus)

Current

Activities: Ethics Committee, Past Chair

Simsbury Cemetary Association

Vice President

Current

National College of Probate Judges

Current

Literacy Volunteers Greater Hartford

Tutor

Current

Simsbury Land Trust

Trustee

Current

Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation

Trustee

Current

CT General Assembly

State Representative

Current

Governor's Commission on School Choice

Co-Chair

Current

Probate Courts are a Good Value

Connecticut Law Tribune

January, 2016

Probate Courts Protect Vulnerable Citizens From Harm

The Hartford Courant

October, 2012

Probate Court Consolidation Yields Savings and Strengthens Professionalism

Fairfield County Bar Association Newsletter

May 11, 2010

Probate 101, Czepiga Daly Pope & Perri Webinar

February 23, 2021

Uniform Trust Code, New Haven County Bar

April 30, 2021

Testimony for Raised Bill 976, An Act Concerning Conservator Accountability, General Assembly testimony, Hartford, CT

March 13, 2017

Testimony for Raised Bill 6104, An Act Concerning Adoption of the Connecticut Uniform Trust Code, General Assembly testimony, Hartford, CT

February 15, 2019