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Carlton S Chen
About Carlton
Biography
Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Reviewed for Highest Level of Professional Excellence. Connecticut Law Tribune Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient. Juris Doctor degree from New York University School of Law. Licensed in Connecticut and New York. I primarily represent entrepreneurs, startups, established and early stage companies and provide strategic and practical legal solutions to help leverage their branding, products and technology. I also represent individuals with employment-related issues. My focus is handling employment and business dispute resolutions, buying and selling businesses, formation of joint ventures and strategic alliances, complying with regulations, and technology licensing. At my firm, we also represent clients in bringing and defending lawsuits in Federal and state court. We are ever mindful of providing the best representation and results possible at the most reasonable cost.
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Connecticut for 37 years
State: Connecticut
Acquired: 1988
No misconduct found
Licensed in New York for 43 years
State: New York
Acquired: 1983
No misconduct found
Location
Kurien Ouellette LLC
836 Farmington Avenue, Suite 137, West Hartford, CT, 06119
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Carlton S Chen's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
58 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Employment & Labor (10)
Lawsuits & Disputes (6)
Business (5)
Contracts & Agreements (5)
Landlord & Tenant (4)
Corporate & Incorporation (3)
Intellectual Property (3)
Discrimination (2)
Real Estate (2)
Appeals (1)
Copyright Application (1)
Family (1)
Land Use & Zoning (1)
Licensing (1)
Life Sciences & Biotechnology (1)
Litigation (1)
Mergers & Acquisitions (1)
Patent Application (1)
Trademark Application (1)
Wrongful Termination (1)
What Clients Mention
Showing 21 - 25 of 58 reviews
Posted by Jenora | August 16, 2022 | Hired Attorney
Great Experience
I not only recommend attorney Carlton Chen, but I guarantee once you have used his service you too will look no further. He responds in an extreme timely matter, he is a very knowledge, trustworthy person. There is no other attorney that will work as hard for you. He is a wonderful attorney I could n...
Carlton Chen
Replied last September 16, 2022Thank you so much for being a valued client. I am so grateful for your trust in me and my law firm team. It is wonderful to hear that we've exceeded your expectations.
Posted by anonymous | July 12, 2022 | Lawsuits & Disputes
Educator
I went on the Avvo.com and Attorney Chen's has been very helpful. I contacted him back in January 2022 with a situation re: negative neighbor and he gave brief advice. I recently reach back out on Avvo.com and Attorney Chen's responded immediately! I would really like to say, "Attorney really did giv...
Carlton Chen
Replied last July 14, 2022Sorry to hear about such awful neighbors. However, I was glad to be able to provide you with practical advice and review with you what a judge will look for (stalking as generally defined and fear of one's safety) to grant you as an applicant a civil protective order (CPO).
Posted by David | July 09, 2022
Free consultation
Mr. Chen was great getting back to me in a timely manner allowing the opportunity to explain my situation. He was gracious enough to give me some advice and kind words.
Carlton Chen
Replied last July 14, 2022David, thank you very much for your review. Please let me know how things work out for you. All the best, Carlton
Posted by anonymous | June 07, 2022
Great advise that'll hopfully pay off!
Carlton Chen was quite forthcoming, thorough, and thoughtful in his consultation. He was always quick to respond to my repeated inquiries and did not shy away from giving me the unvarnished truth. I would recommend anyone to consult with him about your situation.
Carlton Chen
Replied last June 07, 2022Thank you for your unsolicited recommendation. I really do appreciate it and am always open to assist those who, like me, are founders of startup businesses and have true entrepreneurial zest! We can do it!!
Posted by Matthew | May 05, 2022 | Hired Attorney
Superb Lawyer
I searched for days for a great lawyer based on reviews from Avvo and decided on Carlton. I am so glad I did!! Carlton works HARD. He responds to emails quickly. I am very happy with my experience. I like to understand the details and talk things through, and Carlton was more than happy to explain ev...
Carlton Chen
Replied last May 06, 2022Matthew, thank you so much for your superlatives. It makes me so pleased to have represented wonderful clients such as you and your family members to navigate a difficult and emotional issue. I am glad we reached an exceptional outcome early on with the other party but certainly would have been ready to protect your rights in court, if necessary. Best to you and your family. Carlton
Carlton S Chen's Lawyer Endorsements
"I know Attorney Chen to be a knowledgeable and dedicated lawyer. I endorse him without reservation."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have been reading his answers and articles for years and have always enjoyed his ability to explain all the issues that a client should be concerned with. His insights have often helped shape the way I view a business or contract situation. I think his careful attention to detail is a rare and valuable quality in an attorney."
"Attorney Chen gives sound and reasonable advice on avvo. His answers lead me to conclude he is a very thought attorney. I endorse this lawyer."
"It is clear from Carlton's responses on AVVO that he is a knowledgeable and capable advocate who cares about his clients. I endorse this attorney."
"Even though he is new to Avvo, it is immediately obvious that the answers of Mr. Chen are accurate, analytic and customized to the needs of the Avvo askers. The answer of his I just reviewed was "above and beyond". These are exactly the qualities that every client would look for when hiring an attorney."
"I've worked with Carlton for years, and he always brings a unique and experienced perspective to the problems at hand. He has an unmatched breadth of knowledge and enthusiasm, and I'm proud to call him my colleague."
"I endorse this lawyer! I have been a colleague of Attorney Chen for more than 7 years. I have found him to be one of the best business attorneys I have been associated with in my more than 30 years of practice. Besides being most knowledgeable in his craft, Carlton is very hard-working, trustworthy and has high integrity-all of which are greatly appreciated by his clients and colleagues alike. Carlton is also a good mentor to both younger associates and experienced attorneys."
Joseph Hubicki
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Max Rosenberg
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Daniel Blinn
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Nicholas Ouellette
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Experience
Honors
2025
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2024
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2024
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2015
Lifetime Achievement Award, Connecticut Law Tribune
2012
Impact Award, Connecticut Asian Pacific American Bar Association
2010
James W. Cooper Life Fellow, Connecticut Bar Foundation
2002
Excellence in Corporate Practice Award, Association of Corporate Counsel
2001
Silver Beaver Award, Connecticut Yankee Council BSA
Work Experience
2022 - Present
Senior Of Counsel, Jia Law Group, P.C., New York Financial District, New York, NY
2013 - Present
Attorney at Law, Kurien Ouellette LLC, West Hartford, CT
1996 - 2012
Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary, Colt's Manufacturing Company (Colt Firearms)
1989 - 1996
General Counsel, Olin Hunt Specialty Products, Inc., Olin Corporation
1987 - 1989
Senior Associate, Gager Henry & Narkis, Attorneys at Law
1982 - 1987
General Attorney, Sara Lee Corporation
1980 - 1982
Staff Attorney, US Federal Trade Commission
Associations
2017 - Present
Connecticut Asian Pacific American Bar AssociationMember of Advisory Board
2017 - Present
Connecticut China CouncilMember of Board of Directors
2016 - Present
Taiyuan Enterprise Union & Taiyuan Entrepreneur Association (Shanxi Province, China)International Counsel (Honorary)
2015 - Present
Willow Wood Country ClubChairman, Nominating Committee
2014 - Present
Keiretsu Forum Mid AtlanticFounding Member, New York Chapter
2014 - 2015
Connecticut Bar AssociationMember of House of Delegates
2008 - 2017
Connecticut Asian Pacific American Bar AssociationMember of Board of Directors
2007 - 2014
West Hartford Chamber of Commerce1st Vice Chairman & various positions
Sample of Legal Cases
False Claims Act Litigation
Case is pending.
Municipal Firearms Litigation (MFL)
All cases in this "bet-the-farm" MFL were eventually dismissed or withdrawn and, despite great costs to defend, including the payment of legal fees, Colt's Manufacturing Company paid zero damages to the plaintiffs.
Education
1980
New York University School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1977
Columbia University
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2024
SCORE Simple Steps for Starting Your Business, Part 5
Funding Options/Entrepreneurial Panel Small Business Founders' Experience and Lessons Learned
2020
TechStars Hartford - Startup Week
The Care and Feeding of Startups: What Angel Investors Want
2019
Simple Steps for Starting Your Business, Part 6: Funding Sources/Entrepreneurial Panel
Small Business Founders' Experience and Lessons Learned
2019
Shandong Province, China SME (Small-Medium Enterprises) Delegation
Joint Ventures, Strategic Alliances and Partnerships
2017
Emerging Markets in Health Care: Public Ends Private Means
Chinese Pharmaceutical Industry Today
2016
Non-Profit and Tax-Exempt Organizations
How to Start a Non-Profit Organization
2016
International Hospital Federation
Study Tour: New York: The Gateway to Excellence in Health Care
2016
Emerging Markets in Health Care: Public Ends Private Means
China: Investing in Emerging Technologies
2013
Momentum - UConn Engineering
Leveraging Opportunities Through University-Industry Collaboration
2010
NDIA Industry Conference
Demystifying Intellectual Property and Data Rights: Government and Industry Perspectives
2010
International Law Symposium at NAPABA 2010 National Convention
Government Offsets and Countertrade in the Asia Pacific
2002
ACCA 2002 Annual Meeting
Avoiding & Dealing with Class Actions
Publications
2003
Association of Corporate Counsel Docket
Managing Discovery in Large-Scale and Pattern Litigation: Use Technology for Efficiency and Cost Effectiveness
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
What should businesses look for in an AI-powered BPO partner in 2026?
01 Apr 2026
Q&A
Are the checks and bank statements sufficient evidence to pursue legal action and recover the funds?
18 Feb 2026
Q&A
Can I sue Dollar tree for false advertisement there’s nothing in the store for a dollar in New York City
19 Sep 2025
Legal Guides
Legal Guide
SOURCES OF FUNDING FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
26 Jun 2024
Legal Guide
BLOGGERS AND PODCASTERS BEWARE
06 Oct 2023
Legal Guide
HIRING A LAWYER FOR A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER
21 May 2022