In 1933, the Founding Partner of the Firm, Thomas J. Capalbo, Esq. was awarded the degree of Juris Doctor from Boston University Law School. Thomas went on to practice law locally in Rhode Island and Connecticut for some 50 years. In 1951, Thomas was elected a member of the Rhode Island Constitutional Convention and served as Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Rhode Island (1951-1953). Thomas was also elected to the Board of Directors of the Groton Savings Bank (now Chelsea-Groton Savings Bank) where he also served as the Bank’s legal counsel.  Additionally, Thomas served as a member of the Westerly Town Council, Westerly Town Solicitor (1970-1972), and Westerly Probate Court Judge (1973).

The Firm’s original location was in Pawcatuck, Connecticut where Thomas first opened his practice in 1934 as a solo practitioner.

In 1939, Thomas relocated the Firm across the river to Westerly, Rhode Island.

In 1975, Thomas J. Capalbo, Jr., Esq., the Founding Partner’s son, joined the Firm as Partner. With over 40 years of experience, Thomas is licensed to practice law in Rhode Island. Thomas is former legal counsel to the Rhode Island House of Representatives (1988-1992), Westerly Probate Court Judge (1986-1988), and Westerly Town Solicitor (1980-1981).

In 1979, the Firm again relocated, this time to The Capalbo Building, where it currently stands today on 67 High Street, Westerly, Rhode Island 02891.

In 1991, Steven T. Hartford, Esq., a grandson of the Founding Partner, joined the Firm as Partner. Steven is licenced to practice law in Rhode Island and Connecticut. In addition to the private practice of law, Steven was former Vice-President of the Westerly Town Council (1990-1992), Westerly Town Solicitor (1996-1998) (2000-2002) (2004-2009), and Westerly Town Manager (2009-2013).

In 2008, Thomas J. Capalbo, III, Esq., another grandson of the Founding Partner, joined the Firm. In 2015, Thomas was named Partner. Thomas is licensed to practice law in both Rhode Island and Connecticut. Thomas was appointed by the Westerly Town Council to serve on the Westerly Zoning Board of Review (2010-2014). Thomas has also served as Town Solicitor for the Town of Westerly (2014-2015). Appointed by the Westerly Town Council, the Town Solicitor serves as chief legal counsel for the Westerly Town Council, the Town Manager and Town Department Heads. In his capacity as Town Solicitor, Thomas was responsible for protecting the rights of the Town of Westerly in all actions, suits or proceedings, civil or criminal, in law or equity.

In 2010, Nicholas E. Capalbo, Esq., another grandson of the Founding Partner, joined the Firm. In 2015, Nicholas was named Partner. Nicholas is licensed to practice law in Rhode Island. Nicholas previously served as law clerk for the Westerly Town Solicitor (2010). In his capacity as law clerk, Nicholas assisted the Town Solicitor as legal advisor to the Town Council, Town Manager, and all other officers, departments and agencies of the Town, as well as appearing for and protecting the rights of the Town in all actions, suits or proceedings, civil or criminal, in law or equity.

Now in its third generation of practictioners, the Firm stands as strong as ever. With over 80 years of dedicated service to the community, the attorneys at Capalbo, Capalbo & Hartford, LLC work diligently to provide the highest caliber legal counsel to its clients throughout Washington County, Rhode Island and New London County, Connecticut.

Capalbo, Capalbo & Hartford, LLC is a law firm that can be relied upon, one that delivers, and one that stands above the rest. Please call today at (401) 596-2780 to schedule your free half hour consultation.