CT Insider: Verrill—A leader in New England’s legal community for nearly two centuries

Verrill Dana LLP has been a leader in the practice of law in New England since 1862. And its continued growth is making the next century look like the best yet.

Today, Verrill’s more than 180 lawyers provide exceptional client service to businesses and individuals across the country and around the globe.

Partner Calvin Woo, who also serves as a member of Verrill’s Executive Board and is resident in the firm’s Westport office, said Verrill has grown “significantly” since he joined the firm about 13 years ago.

“I think it is because talented professionals have been actively seeking us out as a place to build their practice due to the strong reputation that we have built,” he said.

Verrill entered the Connecticut market 15 years ago to meet the growing demand of clients in Southern Connecticut and the New York Tri-State area. Ten years ago, through a merger with a corporate and litigation boutique, Verrill welcomed a group of seasoned attorneys, including those who practiced at the highest level in the state.

This growth has allowed the firm to welcome additional strategic laterals to enhance service and expand capabilities for its clients. Woo said that the “continued growth is also due to the culture at Verrill that makes it a place where one’s career can truly thrive.”

“Our Connecticut group has been the recipient of that growth, but we aren’t growing just for the sake of growing. We continue to focus on growing strategically in ways that can help better serve our clients and also plan for our firm’s future,” he said. “We also collaborate and integrate with our colleagues in each of our offices to ensure our clients receive the full benefit of our bench and receive the best service possible. And this also makes the practice more enjoyable for each of us.”

This September, Verrill welcomed seven lawyers to its Westport office and opened a second Connecticut office in Greenwich, further bolstering its already strong corporate, private clients, and litigation practices.

In addition to facilitating continued growth, Verrill also focuses on giving back to its community.

“Community service is one of the core values at Verrill. So many of our attorneys serve as board members and trustees who serve a wide range of community needs in Connecticut and greater New England, including access to justice, at-risk communities, and numerous affinity bar and trade associations. All at the firm are encouraged to volunteer and participate in pro bono services, with standout attorneys and staff recognized annually with the firm’s Community Service Award.”

The firm hosted its first annual Verrill Volunteer Day this October.

The future

Verrill is preparing for the future in several ways, including prioritizing succession planning for the firm’s leadership and senior lawyers. Woo added “we have a formal succession policy in place to ensure that our clients’ interests and relationships are protected and maintained.”

He notes that this recent growth means additions to the office who are vocal about appreciating their new environment. “I always love hearing from our newer attorneys or members of our staff who tell me how wonderful the firm has been—we make sure they feel welcome and get them immediately involved in its many opportunities,” he said.

“We are in a very exciting time with the firm where we have experienced significant growth and are building an environment where we can truly thrive,” he said.

“The practice of law, as many know, can be very challenging,” Woo said, “but when you’re at a place that supports you and that gives you what you need by way of tools to help you be successful, along with providing you a sense of camaraderie, mutual respect, and support, it really makes it a wonderful place to work.”

Woo added that this environment really benefits Verrill’s clients as well.

Verrill offers legal advice and strong transactional and litigation capabilities to large and small businesses (public and private), private clients, and non-profits. The firm’s depth of experience is reflected in its work across a wide range of industries, including construction, energy, environmental, food and beverage, health care, higher education, manufacturing, real estate, intellectual property, and telecommunications.

Verrill offers big firm resources while retaining a small firm feel. Clients will receive personalized attention with the collaborative spirit of a boutique firm, while benefiting from the resources and reach of a major law firm.

In addition to Connecticut, Verrill has offices in Maine, Massachusetts, Washington, D.C., and New York.

This article was originally posted on CT Insider.