Kelley Rutkowski is Counsel at Avelino Law, focusing primarily on trust and estate litigation.  Her practice includes a variety of probate disputes, such as challenges to wills, trusts, and beneficiary designations; fiduciary accounting and breach of fiduciary duty claims; trust reformation and construction controversies; elective share actions; creditors’ claims; allegations of undue influence. Kelley’s pragmatic and purposeful approach to litigation makes her an efficient and persuasive advocate.

In addition to litigation, Kelley handles estate administration matters and drafts a variety of estate planning documents including wills, trusts, and powers of attorney, as well as trust amendments and modifications.  

Prior to joining Avelino Law, Kelley was a litigation associate at a large New Jersey law firm in Essex County.  There, she concentrated her practice in the areas of trust and estate litigation and family law, while also routinely handling a variety of complex civil matters including commercial and employment disputes. Throughout her career, Kelley has represented clients in federal and state courts throughout New York and New Jersey, and has also successfully settled many cases through mediation and other methods of alternative dispute resolution.   

Kelley attended Rutgers University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice and Political Science.  She later earned her J.D. from New York Law School.  Following her graduation from law school, Kelley served as Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Peter J. Tober, J.S.C. in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Somerset/Hunterdon/Warren vicinage, for an extended term. She was named to New Jersey Super Lawyers Rising Stars in 2021 and 2022.

Kelley is admitted to practice in New Jersey, New York, and U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey.  

Email Kelley: krutkowski@avelinolaw.com