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, land use, education, and elections law as well as general litigation. Michael has extensive experience with both open and representative Town Meetings.
Before attending law school, Michael served in local government roles in his hometown, including chairing the School Committee and representing his neighborhood as a Town Meeting Member for three terms. He recently served as an elected member of his community’s Natural Resources Commission from 2022 through 2026, including a term as chair. He currently serves as a member of the Town Bylaw Review Committee as well as a Town Meeting Member in his town.
In law school, Michael focused on government and administrative coursework and represented parents of special education students as a student practitioner with his school’s Children’s Law Clinic.
Wellesley Town Meeting (2010–2020; 2023–Present)
Served as youngest elected representative (at age 17) in Massachusetts’ and Wellesley’s history at time of election; reelected three times.
Wellesley Natural Resources Committee (2022–2026; Chair, 2024–2025)
Oversaw natural resources of the Town, with the powers and duties of conservation commissions (excluding wetlands enforcement), town forest committees, park commissioners, tree wardens, moth superintendents, and superintendents of insect pest control; created and shepherded adoption of Town’s first Land Conservation Plan.
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.
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 Municipal Lawyers Association
- Massachusetts Bar – November 15, 2022
- S. District Court (Mass.) – July 18, 2023
- S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit – December 14, 2023
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 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)
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- 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