Jennifer Reale

Jennifer, a litigation attorney, appreciates that a day in court can be an intimidating and stressful experience for you. That’s why she makes it a point to take you by the hand and guide you through the process with an understanding and gentle manner. Jennifer’s relationship with her clients goes beyond just straight legal representation – she also keeps in mind your emotional and privacy concerns.

• Defends and prosecutes fiduciary/trustee litigation, including accountings and removals
• Defends and prosecutes Will contests, trust and Will construction proceedings, and other Probate and Superior court litigation
• Defends and prosecutes contractual disputes, including modifications, reformation, and enforcements
• Negotiates and drafts complex settlement agreements, confidentiality agreements and mutual distribution agreements, including settling prior disputes and creating ongoing contractual relationship
• Defends and prosecutes involuntary and voluntary conservatorships
• Litigates statutory theft and conversion claims for elder financial exploitation
• Handles negotiations and litigation matters involving annuity and life insurance contracts and the enforceability of related documents
• Prosecutes and defends actions related to joint accounts
• Defends against nursing facility collection actions against powers of attorneys, conservators, and responsible parties

Before joining us, Jennifer worked at a firm where she took and defended depositions, researched, drafted and argued motions and prepared cases for trial (including first chair trial experience).

On the personal side, Jennifer was born in Hungary, moved to Texas, and we are grateful she ended up here in New England. Jennifer’s Hungarian roots run deep and she speaks the language fluently. Outside the office and court room, she is an avid traveler, delights in culinary adventure and enjoys life with her husband, two huskies and a pug.

Notable Court Decisions

• Successfully overcame the statutory presumption regarding the ownership of a purported joint account; and obtained a court order ordering that the funds be shared equally amongst the estate’s beneficiaries.
• Successfully negotiated a contracts dispute with an insurance company, resulting in payment to clients without court intervention.
• Representing the Trustee, successfully dismissed a Superior Court action seeking to invalidate a Trust at the initial stages of litigation.
• Successfully defended against a Motion to Dismiss representing the Beneficiary of a Trust in Superior Court after the court rejected the Trustees' argument and concluded that the beneficiary had sufficient interest to challenge the Trustees.  

• Graduated law school in 2015, summa cum laude, from Texas Tech University School of Law
• Served as the articles editor for the Estate Planning and Community Property Law Journal
• Member of the Order of Coiff, Board of Barristers (was a member in Law school) , and the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
• Member, CBA Elder Law Section

• Are Fiduciaries Getting the Boot? (published in Connecticut Lawyer 2019)
• The Vallierie Decision: The Probate Court Order Survives DSS' Attack (published in the NAELA Practice Update)
• What You Should Know About Will Contests and Mental Capacity
• When Life Insurance Proceeds Go to the Wrong Person
• ADRs - A Way to Keep Things Private in Probate Litigation
• Duties of a Conservator in Connecticut
• Joint Bank Accounts—Who Gets the Funds After the Co-owner Passes Away?
• 9 Ways Connecticut Protects Against Conservator Abuse