Founded in 1926
The law firm of Hawthorne, Ackerly & Dorrance, LLC is successor to the firm of John Higgins, which Dun and Bradstreet lists as having originated in New Canaan, Connecticut in 1926. John Higgins was the Town Council and remained in that position until the late 1930s.
In 1937, Dana S. Hawthorne, Esq. joined him and they formed the firm of Higgins and Hawthorne. Mr. Hawthorne was a 1927 graduate of Harvard Law School. He also served several terms as Probate Judge for New Canaan and was referred to as ”Judge” Hawthorne from then on. The two partners continued to practice together until 1947, when Mr. Higgins, who was then in his eighties, retired.
In 1948, Judge Hawthorne invited Dana C. Ackerly, a native New Yorker, who spent his summers in New Canaan, to join him as an associate. Mr. Ackerly served in World War II in the Cavalry Unit of the U.S. Army, and had graduated from Williams College and Yale University Law School. In years to come, Mr. Ackerly would serve as prosecutor in the New Canaan Town Court and later as Associate Town Judge. He was also the long-time chairman of Save the Children and Waveny Care Center.
In 1950, Samuel R. Dorrance, Esq. joined Higgs and Hawthorne as an associate. He was a graduate of Princeton University and Yale University Law School, and was also a long-time resident of the neighboring town of Darien, serving as Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission for many years. Shortly after Mr. Dorrance joined the firm, the three attorneys formed the present firm, Hawthorne, Ackerly & Dorrance, LLC.
The law firm of Hawthorne, Ackerly & Dorrance, LLC will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026, the oldest law firm based in New Canaan. Many of the firm’s traditions are a reflection of what is best about the past and about the Town of New Canaan. The firm prides itself on its commitment to the New Canaan community and its clients.
At present, Jeremiah S. Miller, of Ridgefield, Michelle R. Hubbard, of New Canaan and George W. Baker, of New Canaan, continue the firms history.
