Hemenway & Barnes Selected by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly as a Best Legacy Law Firm for Second Consecutive Year

Hemenway & Barnes has been recognized as a Best Legacy Law Firm by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly for the second consecutive year. The recognition honors firms with a long-standing record of success and a proven ability to navigate economic shifts, technological change, and an evolving legal landscape while maintaining an unwavering commitment to client service.

Founded in 1863, Hemenway & Barnes has served individuals and families, owner-led businesses, and nonprofits for more than 160 years. The firm provides estate planning, family office services, corporate and real estate counsel, litigation, and nonprofit and philanthropic representation. While many Boston firms have scaled back or eliminated Private Client practices, Hemenway & Barnes continues to make this service a cornerstone of the firm, reflecting a deliberate approach to growth guided by client needs rather than market trends.

Below is an excerpt from the Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly feature highlighting the firm’s enduring culture and client-focused approach:

“Managing Partner Mark B. Elefante leads a firm that has remained intentionally midsize, a structure that enables agility, collaboration, and the kind of personalized attention that has defined client relationships spanning decades. The firm's guiding framework — client focus, firm cohesion, and the ability to thrive — shapes how attorneys serve clients, support colleagues, and approach the profession.

That culture is reflected in the tenure of its attorneys and staff, many of whom have built long careers at the firm. Hemenway & Barnes invests in its people over the long term, emphasizing trust, professional development, and a collaborative environment rooted in mutual respect.”