Murtha Means More
Robert E. Kaelin Murtha Cullina LLP Partner

Partner

Hartford
Email: rkaelin@murthalaw.com
Phone: 860-240-6036
Fax: 860-240-6150

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Bar & Court Admissions

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

Education

  • Duke University School of Law (J.D., 1992)
  • Miami University (B.A., 1988)

Robert E. Kaelin

Robert Kaelin represents clients in the areas of commercial litigation and bankruptcy.

Robert’s commercial litigation practice centers on collection work, such as foreclosures, replevin actions and actions pursuant to the Connecticut Prejudgment Remedy Statute, and business disputes, contract actions, franchise agreement claims, Uniform Commercial Code actions and claims for tortious interference with business.

Robert’s litigation practice includes work in both state and federal court. He has tried bench and jury trials in both federal and state court, and has represented clients in arbitration and mediation.

Robert’s bankruptcy practice includes representing Creditors Committees in chapter 11 proceedings in Connecticut as well as creditors in chapter 7 or 11 proceedings around the country. He has assisted business debtors in several complex chapter 11 business reorganizations and has been special counsel to the chapter 7 and chapter 11 trustees in various matters. Robert regularly represents secured creditors in chapter 7, 11 and 13 cases. He also regularly represents commercial landlords in bankruptcy proceedings. Robert has also represented plaintiffs and defendants in bankruptcy avoidance actions as well as in dischargeability actions.

Robert also handles various landlord/tenant law matters, representing commercial landlords and tenants. Robert regularly appears in the Housing Courts on commercial eviction matters and landlord collection matters. He has also handled such other matters as enforcement of exclusive use provisions and CAM audit claims. He has written and lectured on Connecticut’s Summary Process Eviction Statute.

Robert has handled numerous commercial arbitration proceedings and now serves as a Panel Arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association.  

Representative Matters include:

  • Recently served as a Private Arbitrator in a complex commercial arbitration regarding numerous claims centering around a stock buy back agreement.
  • Recently served as an “Expert” in a legal malpractice action centering around issues involving the Connecticut Prejudgment Remedy Act and bankruptcy law.
  • Recently won summary judgment on behalf of a bank seeking to enforce its rights under a shopping center ground lease as leasehold mortgagee.
  • Representing the Alleged Debtor in a contested involuntary Capter 11 petition in the Virgin Islands Bankruptcy Court - St. Croix In re Sanitas Partners V.1., LLC.
  • Representing the official committee of Unsecured Creditors in the Kleen Laundry and Dry Cleaning Services Inc. Chapter 11 in the New Hampshire Bankruptcy Court.
  • Represented a large regional Bank in work-out with related borrowers that were in default under several multi-million dollar loans.
  • Successfully represented a former franchisee in obtaining a denial of a motion for preliminary injunction on a breach of contract and Lanham claim in the Connecticut District Court. and recently won the Arbitration on behalf of the former franchisee.
  • Successfully defended commercial landlord in fraud, misrepresentation, and CUTPA claims with trial judgment in favor of landlord on all counts (and affirmed on appeal).
  • Serving as lead counsel for the plaintiff in a federal court action seeking to set aside and recover over $28 million in fraudulently transferred assets (and enforcing a $3.275 billion dollar federal criminal restitution order).
  • Representing national restaurant chain on franchise matters, including, but not limited to, terminations, work-outs, franchisee bankruptcies and litigation.
  • Regularly represents lenders in bankruptcy proceedings (Chapter 11 and Chapter 7) in Connecticut and Southern District of New York Bankruptcy Court.
  • Representing developers and real estate owners on commercial eviction and collection matters, as well as CAM dispute litigation.
  • Representing several clients in pursuing the enforcement of foreign judgments here in Connecticut.
  • Represented international corporation and several employees in breach of contract/fraud action in the Southern District of New York, including successful motion to dismiss thereby dismissing the claims against the individuals and successful motion for partial summary judgment eliminating the fraud claim.

  • Connecticut Bar Association, Litigation Section
  • Connecticut Bar Association, Commercial Law and Bankruptcy Section (Executive Committee Member and former Chair)
  • Connecticut Bar Association, Connecticut Bankruptcy Conference, Chair (2018, 2019, 2020 & 2021)
  • Hartford County Bar Association, Past President (2018-present), President (2017-2018), President- Elect (2016-2017), Treasurer (2015-2016)
  • American Bankruptcy Institute (Northeast Bankruptcy Conference Advisory Board Member)
  • Contributing Editor, Norton Bankruptcy Law and Practice, 3d (Property of the Estate)
  • Turnaround Management Association, Connecticut Chapter
  • International Council of Shopping Centers
  • Oliver Ellsworth Inn of Court (Counselor, 2021-2022)

      • Holds an AV® Preeminent™ Peer Rating from Martindale-Hubbell

      • James W. Cooper Fellow of the Connecticut Bar Foundation

      • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® in the areas of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, 2018 (Copyright 2015 by Woodward/White, Inc., Aiken, SC)

      • Listed in Connecticut Super Lawyers® in the areas of Business Litigation and Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights from 2009-2018 (Super Lawyers is a registered trademark of Key Professional Media, Inc.)

      • Glastonbury Republican Town Committee (former)
      • Minnechaug Swim & Tennis Club (Past President)
      Overview

      Robert Kaelin represents clients in the areas of commercial litigation and bankruptcy.

      Robert’s commercial litigation practice centers on collection work, such as foreclosures, replevin actions and actions pursuant to the Connecticut Prejudgment Remedy Statute, and business disputes, contract actions, franchise agreement claims, Uniform Commercial Code actions and claims for tortious interference with business.

      Robert’s litigation practice includes work in both state and federal court. He has tried bench and jury trials in both federal and state court, and has represented clients in arbitration and mediation.

      Robert’s bankruptcy practice includes representing Creditors Committees in chapter 11 proceedings in Connecticut as well as creditors in chapter 7 or 11 proceedings around the country. He has assisted business debtors in several complex chapter 11 business reorganizations and has been special counsel to the chapter 7 and chapter 11 trustees in various matters. Robert regularly represents secured creditors in chapter 7, 11 and 13 cases. He also regularly represents commercial landlords in bankruptcy proceedings. Robert has also represented plaintiffs and defendants in bankruptcy avoidance actions as well as in dischargeability actions.

      Robert also handles various landlord/tenant law matters, representing commercial landlords and tenants. Robert regularly appears in the Housing Courts on commercial eviction matters and landlord collection matters. He has also handled such other matters as enforcement of exclusive use provisions and CAM audit claims. He has written and lectured on Connecticut’s Summary Process Eviction Statute.

      Robert has handled numerous commercial arbitration proceedings and now serves as a Panel Arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association.  

      Representative Matters include:

      • Recently served as a Private Arbitrator in a complex commercial arbitration regarding numerous claims centering around a stock buy back agreement.
      • Recently served as an “Expert” in a legal malpractice action centering around issues involving the Connecticut Prejudgment Remedy Act and bankruptcy law.
      • Recently won summary judgment on behalf of a bank seeking to enforce its rights under a shopping center ground lease as leasehold mortgagee.
      • Representing the Alleged Debtor in a contested involuntary Capter 11 petition in the Virgin Islands Bankruptcy Court - St. Croix In re Sanitas Partners V.1., LLC.
      • Representing the official committee of Unsecured Creditors in the Kleen Laundry and Dry Cleaning Services Inc. Chapter 11 in the New Hampshire Bankruptcy Court.
      • Represented a large regional Bank in work-out with related borrowers that were in default under several multi-million dollar loans.
      • Successfully represented a former franchisee in obtaining a denial of a motion for preliminary injunction on a breach of contract and Lanham claim in the Connecticut District Court. and recently won the Arbitration on behalf of the former franchisee.
      • Successfully defended commercial landlord in fraud, misrepresentation, and CUTPA claims with trial judgment in favor of landlord on all counts (and affirmed on appeal).
      • Serving as lead counsel for the plaintiff in a federal court action seeking to set aside and recover over $28 million in fraudulently transferred assets (and enforcing a $3.275 billion dollar federal criminal restitution order).
      • Representing national restaurant chain on franchise matters, including, but not limited to, terminations, work-outs, franchisee bankruptcies and litigation.
      • Regularly represents lenders in bankruptcy proceedings (Chapter 11 and Chapter 7) in Connecticut and Southern District of New York Bankruptcy Court.
      • Representing developers and real estate owners on commercial eviction and collection matters, as well as CAM dispute litigation.
      • Representing several clients in pursuing the enforcement of foreign judgments here in Connecticut.
      • Represented international corporation and several employees in breach of contract/fraud action in the Southern District of New York, including successful motion to dismiss thereby dismissing the claims against the individuals and successful motion for partial summary judgment eliminating the fraud claim.

      Practices & Industries
      Memberships
      • Connecticut Bar Association, Litigation Section
      • Connecticut Bar Association, Commercial Law and Bankruptcy Section (Executive Committee Member and former Chair)
      • Connecticut Bar Association, Connecticut Bankruptcy Conference, Chair (2018, 2019, 2020 & 2021)
      • Hartford County Bar Association, Past President (2018-present), President (2017-2018), President- Elect (2016-2017), Treasurer (2015-2016)
      • American Bankruptcy Institute (Northeast Bankruptcy Conference Advisory Board Member)
      • Contributing Editor, Norton Bankruptcy Law and Practice, 3d (Property of the Estate)
      • Turnaround Management Association, Connecticut Chapter
      • International Council of Shopping Centers
      • Oliver Ellsworth Inn of Court (Counselor, 2021-2022)
          Recognition

          • Holds an AV® Preeminent™ Peer Rating from Martindale-Hubbell

          • James W. Cooper Fellow of the Connecticut Bar Foundation

          • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® in the areas of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, 2018 (Copyright 2015 by Woodward/White, Inc., Aiken, SC)

          • Listed in Connecticut Super Lawyers® in the areas of Business Litigation and Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights from 2009-2018 (Super Lawyers is a registered trademark of Key Professional Media, Inc.)

          Community Activities
          • Glastonbury Republican Town Committee (former)
          • Minnechaug Swim & Tennis Club (Past President)
          Press Releases
          Newsletters & Alerts
          Articles
          Speaking Engagements
          Digital Media
          Bar & Court Admissions
          • Connecticut
          • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
          • U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut
          • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
          • U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
          • U.S. District Court, District of Vermont
          Education
          • Duke University School of Law (J.D., 1992)
          • Miami University (B.A., 1988)
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