Louis M. Klein

(1942-2024)

In Memoriam

Early Legal Work

Louis M. Klein began practicing law in 1967 after graduating from New York University with his B.S. degree and Brooklyn Law School with his J.D. He first joined his father’s law firm before becoming a partner in Ewig, Klein & Klein. In 1976, Lou’s father, Aaron E. Klein, left the practice following his election to the Supreme Court of the State of New York. In 1997, Lou formed a partnership with James P. Gilpatric, who later became a Justice of the Supreme Court.

In 1989, Judge Klein returned to the practice, and he and Lou were later joined in their legal practice by Steven H. Klein. Lou served as an attorney for the Ulster County Office for the Aging from January 1988 through February 2015.

Work in the Community

In addition to being a renowned Poughkeepsie family attorney, Lou was very active in civic and community affairs. In 1970, he was appointed Town Attorney of the Town of Esopus in Ulster County, a position he held until he was elected to the Ulster County Legislature in 1971. He later served as Minority Leader (1976-1977) and Chairman (1978-1979) of the Ulster County Legislature. In 1983, he was elected to his first of three consecutive three-year terms as a member of the Kingston City Schools Board of Education. Lou was elected President of the Board of Education for six one-year terms. More recently, he served as the Vice Chairman of the Ulster County Charter Commission.

In addition to several other civic activities and affiliations, he served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Congregation Emanuel of the Hudson Valley, and President of the Lifetime Learning Institute at Bard College. Lou also served as the Chairman of the Ulster County Coalition Against Narcotics and the Ulster County EMS Advisory Board, having been appointed to those chairmanships by the Chairman of the Ulster County Legislature.