An independent Hartford firm, since 1987
Founded to advise family businesses. Still owned by its lawyers, still answering calls the same day.
Thirty-nine years on Asylum Street
Robert Whitmore left a large Hartford firm in 1987 with a simple idea: family business owners deserve the same quality of counsel as public companies, delivered by lawyers who understand that the business and the family are rarely separate problems.
That idea still shapes how we work. Our private client lawyers and business lawyers share files, sit in the same weekly meeting and often advise the same families across generations.
- 1987
Founded on Asylum Street
Robert Whitmore opens a two-lawyer practice advising Hartford family businesses and their owners.
- 1996
Private client group
Eleanor Whitmore joins and builds the estate planning and probate practice.
- 2009
West Hartford office
A ground-floor office opens in West Hartford Center for estate planning clients.
- 2014
Litigation in New Haven
Grace Lin-Hartley opens the New Haven office and the firm's dispute resolution group.
- 2016
Transactions practice
Marcus Adeyemi joins from Boston to lead M&A for owner-led companies.
- 2026
Six attorneys, three offices
Still independent, still focused on businesses and the families who own them.
The firm in numbers
- Founded on Asylum Street, Hartford
- 1987
- Estate plans drafted for Connecticut families (sample figure)
- 1,900+
- Business sales and acquisitions closed since 2016 (sample figure)
- 72
- Average client rating from 312 reviews (sample figure)
- 4.9
Six commitments we put in writing
Same-day callbacks
Every client call or email gets a response from a lawyer or paralegal on your matter the same business day.
Written fee estimates
You receive a flat fee or a phased budget in writing before substantive work begins.
Partner-led matters
A partner or senior lawyer who knows your file leads every engagement from start to finish.
Plain English
Memos, letters and agreements written so owners and families can read and use them.
Conflicts checked first
We run a conflicts check before any confidential detail is discussed, and tell you straight away if we cannot act.
Files you can take
Closing binders, signed originals and a compliance calendar handed over at the end of every matter.
Credentials and recognitions
| Bar admissions | Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, U.S. District Court (D. Conn.), Second Circuit, U.S. Tax Court |
|---|---|
| Firm registration | Connecticut Judicial Branch PLACEHOLDER - not a real juris number |
| Client funds | IOLTA trust accounts maintained under Connecticut Practice Book rules |
| Professional liability | Lawyers professional liability insurance carried for all attorneys |
| Continuing education | Every attorney exceeds Connecticut's annual 12-hour MCLE requirement |
Recognitions
- Best Lawyers in AmericaTrusts & Estates, Corporate Law. 2019 to 2026
- Connecticut Super LawyersEleanor Whitmore, Grace Lin-Hartley. 2026
- Hartford Business JournalTop Law Firms for Closely Held Companies. 2025
- American College of Trust and Estate CounselFellow, Eleanor Whitmore. Since 2014
- Martindale-HubbellAV Preeminent peer rating. 2026
Talk it through with a partner
A 45-minute first meeting with a written summary and a clear fee estimate. Same-day callbacks, Monday to Friday.