Informal Bio:

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In 2017, I opened Kalon, a law firm devoted to social good, built on a lean, efficient business model. Although I litigate at the trial and appellate levels, most of my practice is serving as a mediator or arbitrator, helping people resolve their conflicts, most of which are in suit. Before Kalon, I was a servant to traditional business models. Now I’m seeking a more fulfilling life, in line with my values, with giving back and paying it forward as guiding principles.

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“I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better.” Maya Angelou.

 

Formal Bio:

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Attorney Christopher P. Kriesen is the founder and principal of the Kalon Law Firm, LLC. He formed the firm in 2017 to fulfill his vision of a better way to practice law, serve clients, and promote social good through entrepreneurship. He leads the firm and serves as the ethics officer. He is also the founder of Cyrano, a story consultancy.

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Attorney Kriesen has tried cases in State and Federal Court, has argued appeals before Connecticut’s Appellate and Supreme Courts, and has helped prepare amicus briefs on issues raising cases of first impression before the Supreme Court.

 

He is a trained mediator (Harvard Law School, Advanced Mediation Workshop, Program on Negotiation and the Quinnipiac School of Law Center on Dispute Resolution). He serves as an Attorney Trial Referee, Fact Finder, and Arbitrator in the Hartford Superior Court.

 

Attorney Kriesen completed the Harvard Business School | HBX course “Disruptive Strategy” with Clayton Christensen, using the HBS case method to learn how to apply disruption theory to find and execute business and social opportunities. He expanded upon his studies by completing a one-year, eight class program on innovation at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Kalon’s model is based upon what he learned in these programs.

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He completed a six class program in Strategic Decision Making and Risk Management offered by Stanford University’s Center for Professional Development.

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He has attended The Yale Writers Workshop, is an adherent of the Story Model of advocacy, and is writing a book on the theory, “Legal Storytelling." He has been invited several times to be a storyteller at Speak Up events, including a performance to an audience of 500 people at Infinity Hall. 

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He has taught advocacy to students at the University of Connecticut School of Law. He is an active presenter at legal seminars for other lawyers and a mentor to law students and young lawyers.

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He established the Kalon Fellowship, the Pro Bono Clinic within Kalon, Salons, Workshops, the Cicero Advocacy Project, and The Kalon ADR Center, helping Kalon become unique among peer firms in promoting social good.

 

He is a formal student at Zen Mountain Monastery.

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He has climbed Mt. Washington several times in the winter and summited Mt. Rainier in August, 2018 as part of a fundraiser for The Juniper Fund.

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In 2018 he was recognized as a "Game Changer" by the Connecticut Law Tribune as part of its Professional Excellence Awards.

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He has lived in London, Paris, and Kailua, Hawaii. 

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He holds a B.Sc. from Villanova University, a J.D. from The University of Connecticut School of Law, and an M.A. from Trinity College.

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