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“I want clients to have confidence in their planning and know their wishes will be effectuated in a tax efficient manner.”

Alfred R. Casella is a partner in the Trusts & Estates practice at Murtha Cullina.

Al's practice includes estate administration, probate litigation and sophisticated estate planning. His practice also includes serving as a fiduciary, whether as executor, trustee or conservator, as well as serving as counsel for conservatorships.  He also advises private foundations on governance and compliance.

  • Co-presenter, "Effectively Representing Clients and Families with Complex Trust, Estate, and Prenuptial Agreements," Connecticut Bar Association, Estates & Probate and Family Law Joint Meeting (March 11, 2024)

  • Co-author and co-presenter, "Implications of Tax Reform for Businesses, Gifting and Estates," Estate & Business Planning Council of Hartford (December 9, 2021) 

  • "Planning in a Time of Uncertainty," Estate & Tax Planning Council of Eastern Connecticut (October 6, 2021)

  • When a Borrower Dies," Farm Credit East (February 7, 2019)

  • "Pitfalls of Probate," Edward Jones - East Longmeadow, MA (October 7, 2015)

  • Co-author and co-presenter, "Legacy Planning," Fiduciary Investment Advisors - Newport, RI (June 18, 2015)

  • “Income Tax Considerations for Estate Planners,” Connecticut Bar Association Estates & Probate Section Executive Committee (May 5, 2014)

  • Chapter author, "Postmortem Planning,"  A Practical Guide to Probate in Connecticut, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (1st. Edition 2013, updated 2017)

  • Author and presenter, "Dealing with a Decedent's Tax Fraud When Handling an Estate," Connecticut Bar Association (March 15, 2013)

  • Author and presenter,"Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts," Connecticut Bar Association (March 12, 2012)

  • Author and presenter,"Estate Planning Gone Awry:  What Happens When Things Don't Work Out the Way We Planned?," American Bar Association Tax Section Meeting (February 17, 2012)

  • "So You Want to Run a Farm Stand - Entity Choices," Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (February 13, 2012)

  • Author and panelist, "State Income Tax of Trusts Holding Business Interests," American Bar Association Tax Section Fall Meeting (October 21, 2011)

  • Author and presenter, "Business Succession Planning," Federal Tax Institute of New England (September 23, 2011)

  • Author and presenter, "The New Federal Estate and Gift Tax Portability Law and Related Connecticut Tax Matters," Connecticut Bar Association Annual Meeting (June 23, 2011)

  • Author and presenter, "A Guide to Probate Accountings," Connecticut Bar Association (May 6, 2011)

  • Author and speaker, "Tilling the Soil of Opportunity, Entity Choices," Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation, Inc. (February 2011)

  • Author and speaker, "Tilling the Soil of Opportunity, Entity Choices," Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (January 31, 2011)

  • Author and panelist, "Giving Away the Store:  A Primer on Business Succession Planning and Post-Mortem Financing of Tax Liabilities of Estates Holding Closely Held Business Interests," American Bar Association Tax Section Midyear Meeting (January 21, 2011)

  • Author and presenter, "The Probate Process From Start to Finish," NBI (December 6, 2010)

  • Co-presenter, "Challenging Estate Assets:  Firearms," Connecticut Probate Assembly Judge and Clerk Seminar (January 12, 2010)

  • Panelist, Planned Giving Group of Connecticut (September 17, 2009)

  • Panelist, Connecticut Probate Assembly Judge and Clerk Seminar on Conservatorships (November 18, 2008)

  • Contributor, LawForChangeTM Forms of Organization - Connecticut (2009)

  • Author and presenter, "The Probate Process from Start to Finish," NBI (December 7, 2009) 

  • Co-author, "Simple End of Year Tax Planning Strategies," Connecticut Bar Association Estates & Probate Section, Notes & Commentary, Special Electronic Issue No. 64 (December 2008)

  • Author and presenter, "Estate Administration Procedures:  Why Each Step is Important," NBI (June 2008, June 2007, June 2006)

  • Author and presenter, "How to Protect Assets During Life & Avoid Estate Tax at Death in Connecticut," NBI (2005)

  • Author and presenter, "Effective Planning for New Couples," NBI (2004)

  • Author and presenter, "How to Protect Assets During Life and Avoid Estate Tax at Death in Connecticut," NBI (2003)

  • The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), Fellow

  • Connecticut Bar Association

    • Estate & Probate Section

      • Executive Committee (2005-present) 

      • Steering Committee

      • CLE Committee

    • Tax Section, Executive Committee (2011-2013)

  • Hartford Estate and Business Planning Council (2005-present) 

    • CLE Committee (2019-2020)

  • Central Connecticut Estate and Business Planning Council, Executive Committee (2009-2017)

  • Greater Hartford Probate Forum, Chair (2008-2014)

  • Connecticut Governor's Tax Panel (2015)

  • Hartford Symphony Orchestra, Board of Directors (2011-2019)

  • Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, Professional Advisory Committee (2012-2014)

  • Connecticut Judiciary Public Service and Trust Commission, Pro Bono Committee (2011-present)

  • Judicial Intern for the Honorable Robert Chatigny, U.S. District Court

Areas of Focus

Services

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Credentials

Education

  • New York University (LL.M. in Taxation)
  • University of Connecticut School of Law (J.D.)
  • Trinity College (B.A. in Political Science, 1993)
  • Suffield Academy (1989)

Bar & Court Admissions

  • Commonwealth of Massachusetts
  • Connecticut
  • U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
  • U.S. Tax Court