Douglas K. O’Connell

Douglas K. O’Connell is a partner at Howd, Lavieri & Finch, LLP who concentrates on estate planning, trust and estate administration, and business and commercial law. His work includes wills and trusts, tax-sensitive planning, contested probate matters, and succession planning for closely held businesses. He joined the firm in 1984 and became a partner in 1989.

O’Connell completed undergraduate study at the University of Connecticut, earned his law degree cum laude from Western New England College School of Law, and received an LL.M. in Taxation from New York University School of Law, supporting his estate and business tax work. He combines estate, business, and tax training when advising individuals, families, and closely held companies.

O’Connell’s estate practice includes planning with wills and trusts, administration of trusts and estates, probate disputes, and tax issues connected with transfers and fiduciary responsibilities. His business work covers organization, mergers, acquisitions, reorganizations, dissolutions, and succession planning. This combination supports clients whose personal estate plans and ownership interests require coordinated legal and tax analysis across generations or business transitions.

Douglas K. O’Connell has maintained professional and community involvement while building a practice across estate, tax, and business law. He has served on the board of Northwest Community Bank and participated in civic organizations identified by his firm. His work helps clients structure estate plans, administer fiduciary matters, resolve probate concerns, and plan business transitions with attention to legal requirements and tax consequences.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Howd, Lavieri & Finch, LLP | Attorneys & Counsellors
• Member, Connecticut Bar Association
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, Litchfield County Bar Association
• Member, Board of Directors, Northwest Community Bank
• Member, Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation
• Member, Rotary Club of the Torrington and Winsted Areas
• Member, Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce

Licensed State

• Connecticut

Education

• New York University School of Law
  Master of Laws (LLM) in Taxation
• Western New England College School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of Connecticut
  Bachelor’s Degree

Awards & Badges