Podorowsky Thompson & Baron traces its roots back to 1940 when attorney Leon Podorowsky opened the doors to a small law practice on Hartford's bustling Main Street. President Franklin Roosevelt was in the White House and the United States had not yet entered World War II. It was the beginning of a legal career that would span over five decades, outlasting 11 presidential terms.
A courthouse fixture for over half a century, Leon Podorowsky exemplified the ideal of what every attorney should aspire to become. Not suprisingly, Attorney Podorowsky served as a mentor for young lawyers, many of which made their own lasting marks in the legal profession. His well deserved reputation for honesty and integrity was evidenced in the longevity of his career and the loyalty of his clients. It was not uncommon for Leon to represent generations of the same family. Among his many accomplishments, Attorney Podorowsky found pride in establishing Hartford's infamousWest Indian Social Club in early 1950. Hosting legendary artists like Bob Marley and the Wailers, the club would become a focal point in New England's West Indian Community for over the next fifty years.
From 1981-1988, the firm was known as Podorowsky & Waldimier. In 1993, the firm would evolve into Podorowsky & Thompson with
the appointment of David L. Thompson as managing partner. The son of former Wisconsin Attorney General George Thompson (1963-65), David L. Thompson was instrumental in moving the firm from its high rise perch on Pratt Street to the historic Munsill Borden Mansion on Wethersfield Avenue. Built in 1883 in the Queen Anne Style, the grand structure was the former residence of Borden Milk heiress
Mary Borden. The building has the distinction of being a member
of the National Register of Historic Places.
In 2006, PT&B expanded further by opening a regional office in the city of New Britain. The modest two room office was originally planned to be a satellite office open only a few days a week. The need for more space was soon evident. Despite an estimated 300,000 Poles living in Connecticut, virtually no New England law firms offered Polish speaking attorneys. With an estimated 20,000 Poles living in New Britain alone, the need for legal services for the community became increasingly clear. As a result, the New Britain branch office soon became a focal point for Connecticut's Polish community as firm began offering free monthly legal seminars.
Located within the heart of the city's Little Poland district, the firm's New Britain office began attracting Polish clients from across Connecticut and as far as California, Michigan, Florida, Arizona, the Carolinas and New York.
In 2007, New Britain's City Council voted unanimously to allow the sale of city land to the firm in order to construct a much larger law complex. With the construction of a new office, the firm's name changed to Podorowsky, Thompson & Baron as associate attorney Adrian Baron took on a partnership role. The change included an expansion of the business, real estate and immigration aspect of the practice. The following year, the firm's larger New Britain office opened its doors. The larger space features works from local and European artists, conference rooms, extended weekend and late weekend hours, and staff members that speak a variety of languages. With a nod to the firm's growing Polish clientele, the firm petitioned the city of New Britain to officially designate the city's Broad Street neighborhood as "Little Poland" In September 2008, the city council made the historic designation official.
Today, Podorowsky, Thompson & Baron LLC continues to build on a solid reputation of integrity in our
representation of businesses and families throughout the state of Connecticut. In fact, we can proudly say that a
number of clients have been with the firm since the 1940s and 50s. Today, as we approach our seventh decade,
the firm continues its commitment to clients in the tradition set our by our founder so many years ago.
