Alena C. Gfeller

Alena Gfeller has extensive experience in the area of commercial law and her practice involves representation of a variety of clients in complex litigation matters in Connecticut. Alena’s practice is diverse and covers many aspects of litigation including lender liability, foreclosures, construction, landlord/tenant matters, receiverships, UCC related litigation, pre/post judgment remedies, replevins and collection. Alena devotes significant time representing financial institutions in all aspects of a default including commercial workouts, modifications, restructures, forbearance agreements as well as litigation. Alena also devotes considerable time to other issues such as business litigation, construction litigation, lien disputes and contract negotiations.

Alena is an AV rated and seasoned commercial litigator who regularly appears in the Civil and Housing Court sessions throughout Connecticut.

Alena regularly tries cases in the Superior Courts in Connecticut. Of note is a recent success where Alena obtained a multi-million dollar judgment in favor of a Lender after full trial while successfully defending against numerous counterclaims and special defenses interposed by borrower/ defendant. During the economic collapse of 2008, Alena was asked to manage a large portfolio of loans for a regional lending institution in connection with nationwide defaults (foreclosures, collections, receiverships, bankruptcy and other litigation). Alena not only was successful in managing this portfolio, but working closely with local counsel in other jurisdictions, was able to secure collateral and significant monetary recoveries on behalf of the Lender.

Alena previously served as member of the firm’s Executive Committee.  She serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Saint Timothy Middle School in West Hartford.

Representative Experience

• Represents regional and community banks as well as lending institutions based in other jurisdictions who have mortgage interests in Connecticut.

• Lead counsel in numerous trials, mediations, arbitrations involving lender liability, contract disputes, foreclosures, receiverships, pre-judgment remedies, real estate, business disputes, collections, dissolutions, partnerships and LLCs.

• Regularly represents developers, real estate owners and property management companies on evictions and collections in Connecticut including commercial as well as residential (Section 8) matters.

• Advises construction clients on lien and contract issues in Connecticut.

• Frequent lecturer on issues such as foreclosures, pre/post judgment collections and summary process issues in Connecticut.

• Requested frequently to assist clients in pursuing the enforcement of foreign judgments in Connecticut.

• Assists/advises Connecticut clients on domesticating judgments to other jurisdictions.

• Banking
• Business Litigation
• Community Banking
• Lender Liability Litigation
• Litigation

• "Distressed Assets in Connecticut.  What to know before jumping in."  The National Law Review, March 21, 2016.
• "Why is the Government Interested in my Drone?"  The National Law Journal, February 6, 2016.
• "Caught in the Weeds: Marijuana-related businesses have difficult time accessing banking services," Connecticut Law Tribune, March 9, 2015.

• Connecticut Bar Association
• CTTMA
• Connecticut Community Banking Association

• Junior League of Hartford
• Saint Timothy Middle School, H.S.A.
• Saint Peter Claver, Religious Education

• May 3, 2016 - Connecticut Collections: How to get paid if you are owed money? Part 1: Pre and Post-Judgement Collection Specifics
• May 3, 2016 - Connecticut Collections: How to get paid if you are owed money? Part 2: Prejudgment Remedy ("PJR")
• May 3, 2016 - Connecticut Collections: How to get paid if you are owed money? Part 3: Steps in the Collection Process

• New York
• Connecticut
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
• U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut

• Arizona State University (B.A., 1991)
• Widener University (J.D., 1995)