Kelton Merrill Burgess

Kelton Merrill Burgess

also known as Kelton M. Burgess - Attorney-at-Law, Law Offices of Kelton M. Burgess, LLC

4.7
Rating: 3.8

Licensed for 21 years

Probate Lawyer at Pittsburgh, PA
Practice Areas: Probate, Estate Planning, Wills & Living Wills ... +2 more

1300 Fifth Avenue, Suite 201, Pittsburgh, PA

About Kelton

Biography

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Probate 35%

Wills, Executors, Administrators

20 years | 100 cases

35%
Estate Planning 25%

Wills, Trusts, Power of Attorney

20 years | 200 cases

25%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in California for 17 years

State: California

Acquired: 2008

Active

Licensed in Pennsylvania for 21 years

State: Pennsylvania

Acquired: 2005

Active

Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2025

Location

Law Offices of Kelton M. Burgess LLC

1300 Fifth Avenue, Suite 201, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219

Law Offices of Kelton M. Burgess LLC

508 Pittsburgh Street, Suite 102, Mars, PA, 16046

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Kelton Merrill Burgess's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.7 /5.0

13 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (13) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 13 reviews

Posted by J. Bissell | March 02, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Business

There is nobody better!!

Kelton has been my attorney for 5 years and there is nobody I trust more to handle my legal work. He has been an asset for my business and I couldn't appreciate him more than I do. Whether it's 9am Monday morning or 6pm on a Friday, Kelton has always been there to answer my questions.

Posted by Jacquelyn | November 17, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning

Happy Client

A friend insisted that I contact Kelton, her favorite Attny. From start to finish he eased my anxieties with Will/Trust pIanning. He was Engaging, Patient and Professional..and the price was Right!

Posted by Stephen | August 27, 2019

Denied Service after being strung along

Today Kelton Burgess denied me service after 4 days of "I'll give them a call and get back to you"..... I have called him daily since last weds, with the same answer every day. I called him this morning- 8/26/19 and he had a hissy fit that I called him Monday morning 10am rightfully looking for answe...rs after being strung along for the past week. I'm assuming this is normal behavior for an attorney, but what am I supposed to do as a customer under a time crunch.

Kelton Burgess

Replied last August 27, 2019

Stephen, As an attorney with a busy schedule, people who are actually clients require my attention, especially on Monday mornings. Yes, we spoke several times over the last week. I gave you my consultation time for free. I also took time to speak with your other lawyer, who is also quite busy. I told you what my firm's standard retainer was, but at no time did you retain my firm. While I appreciate you had a "time crunch," the clients who have retained my services take priority. We declined to represent you. We encourage you to contact the Allegheny County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service at 412-261-5555.

Posted by Bruce | May 15, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning

creation and execution of Trust documents

Kelton presented an organized framework to create a Trust for our estate planning needs. He packaged together all required services in order to efficiently complete the work in a timely manner. He met with us multiple times to address our needs and answer questions. When we agreed to engage his se...rvices for the entire body of work, he discounted his fees to minimize our cost, and to enhance our understanding of the finished product. He furnished both a hard copy and electronic documents for all components of the Trust. Kelton made this complex undertaking as simple, comprehensive, and affordable as anyone could expect. My wife and I recommend him for consideration in meeting your legal needs.

Posted by David | May 10, 2017 | Insurance

Health insurance claims

I consulted with mr Burgess concerning my legal difficulties concerning a physician who performed my hand surgery and the claim that was sent to my insurance carrier in which it was denied. The physician attempted to pursue me in court althouh it was quite clear that his billing department was at at ...fault. Mr Burgess advised me to proceed thru the proper channels within the insurance company. I contacted the insurance as advised and the claim was reprocessed. The insurance company indicated that I was not at fault and it was the doctor's billing department that was responsible for the claim not being processed correctly.

See All Client Reviews

Kelton Merrill Burgess's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Kelton
Philip Daniel Luciano II headshot
Philip Luciano

Estate planning lawyer | Apr 27

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Kelton is very helpful and knowledgable."

Jeena Jeehyun Cho headshot
Jeena Cho

Litigation lawyer | Aug 19

Relationship: Co-worker

"Kelton is one of the most intelligent person I know. He is sharp, witty and just a likable guy. I endorse this attorney without hesitation."

View All Endorsements
Philip Daniel Luciano II headshot
Philip Luciano

Probate lawyer

Jeena Jeehyun Cho headshot
Jeena Cho

Immigration lawyer

Experience

Rating:  3.8 (Caution)

Professional misconduct

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2025.

Public Reprimand issued in PA, 2025

updated on 12/16/2025

Public reprimand means an attorney did something wrong but may still practice law. The State gives the lawyer a public reprimand in hopes that he or she will not repeat the behavior. Details of the infraction are made part of the public record.

Honors

2019

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2017

Client's Choice, Avvo

2004

Justice Louis L. Manderino Honor Society for Trial Advocacy, Duquesne University SOL

2004

A.B.A. National Competition Semi-Finalist, Duquesne University SOL

1999

National Honors Society, phi theta kappa

1999

University Honors College, University of Pittsburgh

N/A

Graduate Research Assistant to Dean, Duquesne University SOL

Work Experience

2015 - Present

Founder, Law Offices of Kelton M. Burgess

2012 - 2015

Of Counsel, Law Offices of Paula Canny

2012 - 2012

Associate, Goodman Neuman Hamilton LLP

2008 - 2012

Senior Associate Attorney, Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP

2007 - 2008

Associate Attorney, Law Offices of Paula Canny

2004 - 2006

Associate Attorney, Vincler & Knoll, PC

Associations

2019 - Present

Allegany County Bar Association

Member

2009 - Present

San Francisco Bar Association

Member

2009 - Present

San Mateo County Bar Association

Member

2004 - Present

American Bar Association

Member

2004 - Present

Allegheny County Bar Association

Member

2004 - Present

Pennsylvania Bar Association

Member

Education

2004

Duquesne University School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1999

Univ of Pittsburgh

BA - Bachelor of Arts - cum laude

Speaking Engagements

2016

Third Thursdays Educational Series at Diamond Run Golf Club

Understanding IRA Beneficiary Trusts

2016

Third Thursdays Educational Series at Diamond Run Golf Club

Estate Planning 101

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline
    This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2025
    Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution