Glenn E. Knierim Pro Bono Award Established in Honor of Former Simsbury Probate Judge

On April 4, the Connecticut Probate Assembly honored Norwalk Attorney Stephen B. Keogh  with the Glenn E. Knierim Pro Bono Award. Probate Assembly President-Judge Daniel Caruso of the Fairfield Probate Court presented the award at the Assembly’s annual meeting in the Supreme Court in Hartford.

The award was named after Simsbury resident Judge Glenn E. Knierim, who was Connecticut’s longest-serving probate court administrator (1973-1989). He was also Simsbury’s probate judge from 1967 to 1999.The award was established this year to recognize attorneys who generously assist residents who do not have the means to obtain legal representation on their own. 

As probate court administrator, Judge Knierim worked to improve adoption and guardianship laws, created the first Code of Probate Judicial Conduct, set mandatory educational requirements for probate judges, and set an outstanding example of judicial leadership and public service in many areas. During his final year as probate court administrator, he served on 17 committees, all dedicated to improving the probate court system. Judge Knierim also was a member of several Simsbury boards, including the planning commission, the board of ethics and the zoning board of appeals.

Judge Knierim attended Wednesday’s meeting with his wife, Gloria. His son, Paul J. Knierim, also a former Simsbury probate judge, is the Connecticut’s current Probate Court Administrator.

In accepting the Knierim award, Attorney Keogh said he felt incredibly humbled and honored. “I consider myself to be a representative of all the lawyers who are constantly working to help out the probate courts and those they serve,” he said.

Judge Caruso, who chaired the selection committee, said probate courts rely on the lawyers who give generously of their time and expertise to protect the health and welfare of needy individuals and, in many cases, to step in and manage the lives of those who have no family or whose families are at odds.

“We must work to increase the number of attorneys who are willing to do pro bono work,” he said.

Attorney Keogh was recognized for his decades of giving individuals in need, and their families, legal assistance in the probate courts of lower Fairfield County, often serving for many years, without compensation, as conservator to incapacitated individuals. 

The new award complements the Judicial Branch’s Access and Pro Bono initiatives, which Chief Justice Chase T. Rodgers has championed. The goal of those efforts is ensuring adequate legal representation to all citizens of Connecticut. Justice Rodgers also attended Wednesday’s meeting and congratulated the Assembly for taking this initiative to encourage pro bono work.