Attorney
E-mail: mdortenzio@k-plaw.com
Phone: 617.654.1779
Practice Areas: General Municipal, Land Use, Education, Elections
Attorney Michael D’Ortenzio Jr. joined the firm in 2022. He assists the firm’s clients in all facets of municipal law, and his practice includes land use, education, and election law. At Duke University School of Law Michael focused on government and administrative law and represented parents of special education students as a student practitioner with his school’s Children’s Law Clinic.
Michael also brings to his practice his many experiences serving in local government. Michael was elected to, and chair of, the School Committee, a Town Meeting Representative for 10 years, including while he was in high school, and served on various appointed committees. He is currently a member of his town’s Natural Resources Commission.
Wellesley School Committee (2016–2019; Chair, 2017–2018)
Provided oversight and direction to Wellesley Public Schools through period of declining enrollment; negotiated contracts; developed plans for two new schools and redistricting; engaged with constituents; read Dr. Seuss to preschoolers (best part of the job).
Wellesley Town Meeting (2010–2020)
Served as youngest elected representative (at age 17) in Massachusetts’ and Wellesley’s history at time of election; reelected three times.
Massachusetts Broadband Institute (2012)
Assisted with infrastructure procurement at quasi-state agency to connect Western Massachusetts cities and towns with reliable, fast broadband; summer internship.
Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (2009–2011)
Elected by Massachusetts’ students as chair of State Student Advisory Council; represented students as voting member on Board.
- Massachusetts Bar Association
- Massachusetts Bar – November 15, 2022
Duke University School of Law
Juris Doctor, 2022
Law and Contemporary Problems, Online Editor
Mock Trial Board, Moot Court Board
Mordecai Scholar (full tuition scholarship)
Brown University
Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy and American Institutions, 2015
Phi Beta Kappa
Magna Cum Laude
All-American, American Mock Trial Association
- Wellesley Natural Resources Commission, 2022–Present
- Wellesley Playing Fields Task Force, 2016–2019 (Chair, 18–19)
- Led redevelopment projects for high school stadium and girls’ softball fields.
- Wellesley Sustainable Energy Committee, 2016–2019 (Vice Chair, 16–17)
- Led passage of large-scale solar overlay zoning district for Green Communities grant program.
- Longtime election poll worker (precinct warden, clerk, and inspector)
- Justice of the Peace