Charles W. "Charlie" Pieterse

Charles W. Pieterse is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Trusts and Estates.

Charles W., who practices law in Stamford, Connecticut, has been recognized since 2017. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Charles W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Charlie is a Principal and Co-Chair of Cummings & Lockwood's Fiduciary and Probate Litigation Group. Described by Chambers & Partners as one of the leading probate litigators in the United States, Charlie has represented clients before state and federal trial and appellate courts, probate courts, and surrogate's courts in a broad range of matters, including trusts and estate litigation and complex business and commercial litigation.

Charlie’s trust and estate litigation experience includes representation of corporate and individual trustees, executors, beneficiaries, conservators, guardians and attorneys-in-fact in disputes involving all aspects of probate and trust and estate litigation, including breach of fiduciary duty claims, trustee surcharge and removal proceedings, contested accountings, will and trust contests, construction and decanting proceedings, conservatorship and guardianship proceedings and contested lifetime transfers. Charlie is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (“ACTEC”) and serves on its Fiduciary Litigation and Professional Responsibility Committees, as well as its Fiduciary Administration Task Force.

Charlie has been recognized as a Trust & Estate Litigation Lawyer of the Year on multiple occasions by The Best Lawyers in America, and as a leading private wealth disputes lawyer (Tier 1) by Chambers & Partners, which described him as “a renowned trust and estate litigator," and as "smart, creative, and aggressive - a winning combination.”