PATTISON, SAMPSON, GINSBERG & GRIFFIN :: 20-22 FIRST STREET :: 518-266-1000
It’s very rare to hear about a company being in business for over 200 years- and remain operating in one area during all of those the years. The Law Firm of Pattison, Sampson, Ginsberg & Griffin is proud to have started its roots in 1813, in a very different Troy, NY- but not unlike Troy in 2018, in a period of growth, reinvention, and activity. The firm began with the Pattison family. Elias Pattison was one of the first Canal boat proprietors on the newly constructed Erie Canal. Because of the shape and levels of the waterways and land, boats were able to dock at 23rd Street in Troy, creating a hub for sailors and travelers to rest and enjoy the city, providing easy access to ship products from nearby created in the warehouses along the waterfront and area farms.
The firm’s first location was in the Market Block area of 3rd Street and River Street, then moved to 12 1st Street in 1885 and finally moved down the street to 22 1st Street in 1963, its current location. The 22 1st Street location was formerly a bank, rooming house with 10 spaces and had a kitchen in the basement. The space next door was a former mansion turned fraternity house, then torn down for the private parking lot that exists there today. The property also includes a carriage house behind the buildings.
Pattison, Sampson, Ginsberg & Griffin is a general practice law firm, proudly representing local colleges and universities, including RPI for over 100 years, in Higher Education Law. In addition, they have worked with the Troy Savings Bank, Samaritan Hospital and Eddy Nursing Home. The firm advises in commercial and residential real estate, civil litigation and estate planning and administration
The Pattison firm is run by a long line of talented and motivated lawyers, Edward Aston Pattison’s son Edward H. “Ebbie” Pattison joined the practice as a partner in 1925. The most famous partner was Edward W. “Ned” Pattison, joining in the 1950’s with Lambert Ginsberg. Ned was a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives and the Rensselaer County Treasurer, always giving back to many community and civic organizations.
As with many small organizations and businesses, the growth and strength of Pattison, Sampson, Ginsberg & Griffin has been carried on by family. Upon the death of Ebbie’s father, his nephew, Stephen H. Sampson joined as a partner in 1937. Lambert Ginsberg’s son Michael joined the practice in 2002 and is currently the Vice President.
You may say that the unspoken “face” that sustains a firm is not only its partners, but the support team. Pattison, Sampson, Ginsberg & Griffin was lucky enough to have particularly one employee, Adele Smith, who was employed for over 60 years. Her title was Stephen Sampson’s secretary, but she in addition to her position, was THE person who knew the answer for any question, maintained the organization and understood the value of history and archiving, even saving a partner’s son’s Birth Announcement- whom would later on come to join the firm as an adult. After serving as Sampson’s secretary for 40 years, Adele maintained her office on the second floor of 22 1st Street. It is still filled with filing cabinets of old photographs, negatives and newspaper clippings. True to the community and familial aspect of many Downtown Troy businesses, the firm employed Adele well into her late 90’s, even calling a car to help her travel to work. The years Adele gave to the firm, the firm gave back to her in creating a purpose- at any age, and taking care of their employees. When Adele could no longer work, she moved to the Eddy Nursing Home in Troy. She lived to be 101, on her 100th Birthday, the firm joined her at the Eddy in celebration. Pattison, Sampson, Ginsberg & Griffin not only has served and donated to the community of Downtown Troy, it creates this beginning from within its practice.
©Downtown Troy BID 2018