The award is given annually by the Connecticut Probate Assembly and the Probate Court Administrator to recognize those demonstrating exceptional commitment to the mission of the state’s probate courts. This year’s recognition honors the advisory committee for its dedication to the probate courts' mission and leadership and for developing rules to ensure professionalism and uniformity across the system.

Playing a crucial role in maintaining consistent practices across all Connecticut probate courts, the 23-member advisory committee is a volunteer body charged with assisting the Probate Court Administrator in developing and updating uniform rules of procedure. The rules are revised biennially to align with new statutes and case law.

“It has been a great honor to serve alongside the other members of the probate court rules advisory committee. Our probate courts play a crucial role in society, and it has been an honor to assist in the work of ensuring that they continue to do so with both the efficiency and accessibility that have been the hallmarks of that court system,” Cooper said.

Comprised of sitting and retired probate judges, court staff, attorneys and individuals with professional backgrounds in accounting and social services, the advisory committee ensures professionalism, uniformity and accessible procedures for self-represented parties, with recommendations submitted to the Connecticut Supreme Court.

In addition to Cooper, the advisory committee includes seven members with Quinnipiac ties.

Quinnipiac Law alumni and advisory committee members are Hon. Kathleen N. Maxham (Ret.), JD ’83, an adjunct professor for the law school; Heather L. Dostaler, JD ’00, current Chief Counsel, State of Connecticut Office of the Probate Court; and attorneys Carmine P. Perri, JD '05, Andrew S. Knott, JD '03, and Janie L. McDermott, JD ’15 — who was Cooper’s former student and research assistant at Quinnipiac Law. Additionally, advisory committee member attorney Melissa Nixon ’06 earned her bachelor’s degree at Quinnipiac and advisory committee member attorney James Dougherty is an adjunct professor at Quinnipiac Law.

Probate Court Administrator Beverly K. Streit presented all members of the advisory committee with the 2026 Daniel F. Caruso Public Service Award during the Connecticut Probate Assembly’s annual meeting at the Connecticut Supreme Court in Hartford on April 22.

“In giving the award, we wish to recognize each of you for your exceptional support for the mission of the probate courts, the rule of law and to express our gratitude for your leadership and time you have committed to serving on this important committee. By developing and regularly reviewing and revising the Connecticut Probate Court Rules of Procedure with your input and expertise, we collectively ensure the integrity of the probate court system and its accessibility to all users of the courts,” Streit said.

At Quinnipiac Law, Cooper teaches courses related to wills and trusts, estate planning and related areas of taxation. He is faculty adviser to the Quinnipiac Probate Law Journal and the former Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development.

Cooper spent more than a decade practicing law before joining Quinnipiac, including serving as a principal of Cummings & Lockwood and as a senior officer of the United States Trust Company. He served as a senior adviser to Fiduciary Trust Company International and is a special counsel to the law firm of Shipman & Goodwin.

An academic fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and a Quinnipiac University Faculty Scholar, Cooper has written numerous articles about estate planning, probation and taxation. His articles have been published in law journals across the country, excerpted in prominent casebooks and treatises and reprinted both in the U.S. and abroad.