Jonathan J. Kelson

PARTNER

Admissions

• Connecticut, 2003

• District of Columbia, 2005

• New York, 2010

• U.S. Federal District Court, District of Connecticut

• U.S. Federal District Court, Southern District of New York

• U.S. Federal District Court, Eastern District of New York

• U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit

Jonathan Kelson is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group and practices in the areas of commercial and general civil litigation. He has represented clients in state and federal courts at both the trial and appellate levels in a variety of matters, including contract and business disputes, insurance coverage and defense, real estate and title litigation, unfair trade practice matters, partnership and shareholder disputes, personal injury and employment litigation. Jon regularly defends insureds in professional liability, product liability and personal injury actions, and represents attorneys in grievance proceedings. Jon represents clients in alternative dispute resolution forums, including arbitration and mediation. He has also engaged in the review of compliance-related issues in the fields of insurance, consumer protection and trade, and securities.

Jon has been a member of the Connecticut Bar Association and the Fairfield County Bar Association. Active in the community, Jon has served on the boards of the Weston Gridiron Club and local youth football clubs, and has volunteered as a coach in local youth sports programs.

Representative Matters

• Won summary judgment for major telecommunications company on immunity grounds in a matter of first impression.

• Won dismissal of vexatious litigation and conspiracy claims against attorneys brought in Federal Court.

• Represented condominium developer in litigation involving development of multimillion dollar complex resulting in favorable decisions by trial court and Connecticut Supreme Court.

• Represented property owner in real estate and adverse possession litigation resulting in favorable decisions by trial court and Connecticut Appellate Court.

• Won summary judgment in Federal Court for major insurer as to claims alleging common law and statutory bad faith.

• Obtained dismissal of tort claims against investor in commercial foreclosure action.

• Represented investors in intra-corporate dispute with general partner involving multimillion dollar investment, resulting in favorable business resolution.

• Jury verdict for retail business in defense of claims of breach of contract and unfair trade practices, and award of damages to client on counterclaims.

Reported Cases

• Zhang v. 56 Locust Road, LLC, 177 Conn. App. 420 (2017)

• Aguinaldo v. Warner, 140 Conn. App. 264 (2013)

• Harbour Pointe, LLC v. Harbour Landing Condo. Ass’n, Inc., 300 Conn. 254 (2011)

• D’Angelo Dev. & Const. Co. v. Cordovano, 278 Conn. 237 (2006)

Publications & Presentations

• Mediating Insurance Coverage Disputes, Connecticut Bar Association-Young Lawyers Section, March 2012

• Insurance Bad Faith Claims and Extra-Contractual Liability in Connecticut, Connecticut Bar Association-Young Lawyers Section, October 2012

Education

• Syracuse University College of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2003

• Union College, B.A., 2000

Honors & Awards

• Selected to the Connecticut Super Lawyers list in the area of Business Litigation and Civil Litigation, 2015-2024

• Selected to the Connecticut Super Lawyers Rising Star list, 2011-2013