Connecticut law firm Czepiga Daly Pope & Perri is expanding its dispute resolution practice area, including the hiring of recently retired Probate Court Administrator Paul Knierim, a former state representative and erstwhile partner at Hartford’s Cummings & Lockwood and Avon’s Drew, Mersereau & Knierim.

In 11 years as head of the probate court system, Knierim oversaw all 54 of the state’s probate courts, with more than 400 employees and a nearly $50 million budget. He is credited with overhauling the rules for probate courts with an eye on ensuring fairness to elderly clients. His initiatives included enacting a stronger judicial ethics code, expanding continuing education for judges and court staff and improving support and oversight over conservators to prevent cheating of their clients.