History

1862: Founding of the Firm

Byron Decreny (B.D.) Verrill, born in 1835 in Oxford County, Maine, was admitted to the Maine Bar. That same year, he founded his law practice, focusing on civil cases, reorganizations, and banking law.

1867: Relocation to Portland

B.D. Verrill’s decision to move his law practice to Portland, Maine, marked a pivotal moment for the firm. This strategic relocation established the groundwork for the firm’s enduring and influential regional presence.

1876: Partnership with Thomas Brackett Reed

B.D. Verrill partnered with Thomas Brackett Reed, who later became the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Although their partnership lasted only a year, it highlighted Verrill’s early connection with influential legal and political figures.

1891: Miss Moore Joins as First Female Employee

The firm’s hiring of its first female employee, Miss Moore, as a stenographer marked a progressive step toward gender inclusion at a time when women’s participation in professional roles was limited.

1917: John Fessenden Dana Joins

John Fessenden Dana joined the firm as a trusts and estates attorney. His contributions were so significant that his name remained associated with the firm for over 100 years, helping establish its reputation in estate planning and fiduciary law.

1958: Roger A. Putnam Joins the Firm

Roger A. Putnam joined the firm when it had 13 partners. Over his remarkable 63-year tenure, he exemplified commitment to the firm and the greater community until his passing in February 2022. To further honor Roger’s enduring legacy, Verrill established the Roger A. Putnam Community Service Award in 2014—an annual recognition bestowed upon an individual whose exemplary volunteerism, leadership, and advocacy reflect Roger’s unwavering commitment to his community and advancing equal access to justice.

1980: Judith M. Coburn Becomes First Female Partner

Judith M. Coburn became Verrill’s first female partner in 1980 and Maine’s first female Managing Partner in 1992. Her leadership marked a significant milestone for gender equality within the firm and in Maine’s legal community. Notably, when Coburn became a partner, only 8% of all licensed lawyers in the United States were women, according to the American Bar Association—a figure that underscores both the progress made and the challenges that remained for women in the legal profession during that era.

1987: 125th Anniversary and Relocation

On its 125th anniversary, amidst remarkable growth for the firm, Verrill moved to new, larger offices at One Portland Square in the heart of downtown Portland. At this time, the firm had grown to 51 attorneys.

2004: Opening of Boston Office

Verrill expanded outside of Maine, launching an office in Boston to better serve clients with expanding regional needs. The office was opened with just one attorney and two staff members. In recent years, the Boston office has been recognized in the Boston Business Journal’s esteemed list of the “Area’s 100 Largest Law Firms,” and was ranked #30 in Massachusetts by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly in 2023—underscoring its growing prominence in the legal sector.

2010: Expansion into Southern New England

Verrill established its Connecticut office in 2010 in West Hartford, marking a key step in the firm’s growth beyond Maine and Massachusetts. The Connecticut office was launched to provide a strategic base for serving clients throughout southern New England and the New York metropolitan area. Since 2010, the office has moved to Fairfield County and expanded its team and capabilities, reinforcing Verrill’s commitment to delivering comprehensive legal services to clients across the region.

2012: Sesquicentennial and Community Service—The 150 Project

In honor of its 150th anniversary, Verrill launched the “150 Project,” a community service initiative involving donations of time, money, or property in increments of 150 to a variety of causes, underscoring the firm’s commitment to public service. At this time, the firm had grown to 105 attorneys and 85 other professionals.

2013: Combination with Friedman Gaythwaite Wolf

Verrill combined with Portland-based trial firm, Friedman Gaythwaite Wolf, to strengthen its litigation and trial capabilities while expanding its national client base. This combination enhanced its ability to handle complex cases across various jurisdictions.

2015: Combination with Levett Rockwood

The Connecticut-based law firm Levett Rockwood joined Verrill in 2015. This expansion extended the firm’s reach into southern New England and the New York City tri-state area, diversifying its geographic footprint and client portfolio.  As part of this expansion, Verrill relocated its Connecticut office to Westport. Notably, through the combination, the firm welcomed the Honorable Alan H. Nevas—former United States District Judge for the District of Connecticut—as Senior Counsel, where he continued to serve clients in arbitration, mediation, and special investigations following his distinguished judicial and public service career.

2019: Refreshed Look, Reinforced Values

Verrill unveiled a revitalized brand and logo, symbolizing the firm’s evolution while reaffirming its commitment to integrity, professionalism, and community service.

2021: Historic Gift—Bouvier Law Dictionary

The firm was gifted two volumes of the Bouvier Law Dictionary, signed by Byron and subsequent generations of the Verrill family—Byron (1862), Harry (1891), Robinson (1919), and Eric (1957). This gift symbolizes Verrill’s enduring legacy across decades.

2022: Combination with Rackemann, Sawyer & Brewster

Verrill combined with the Boston-based law firm Rackemann, Sawyer & Brewster. This strategic combination nearly doubled the number of lawyers in Verrill’s Boston office, solidifying its presence in one of New England’s most significant legal markets while enhancing capabilities across various practice areas, such as real estate, litigation, and trust and estates law.

2024: Celebrating Two Decades in Boston and Honoring Leadership

2024 marked the 20th anniversary of Verrill’s Boston office—a milestone celebrating two decades of service and growth in the city. This year, Gene Dahmen, a pioneering leader and advocate for diversity in the legal profession, was honored with the Boston Bar Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award for her distinguished career and enduring impact on the legal community.