Worcester Business Journal

12 Worcester Business Journal | September 2, 2024 | wbjournal.com said Leonardo Angiulo, who is a solo practitioner at Worcester-based firm An- giulo Law. "A Boston firm wanting local lawyers makes even more sense because members of our bar provide the best rep- resentation you can get. Our community growing is a net positive." Assembling the team Founded in 1988, Prince Lobel rep- resents a wide variety of clients, from cannabis companies to nanotechnology startups to soccer teams. e Worcester office will be its fourth location, joining its headquarters in Boston and offices in Manhattan and Purchase, New York. "is is a talent and client business, and there's a lot of great talent and great clients in Worcester," said Craig Tateronis, a Worcester native who's been managing partner of Prince Lobel since 2004. "I've looked at Worcester now for a number of years, and this conversation evolved pretty organically." Tateronis visits Central Mass. fre- quently to see family and shuttle his el- derly parents to doctor appointments. He watched over the years as gritty industri- al properties and vacant lots transformed into modern high-end apartments and advanced medical facilities. player had le several holes at Bowditch, which the established firm is confident in its ability to fill. "We've been here for so long. We're going to be here, we're going to be a prominent player in the legal com- munity," Bowditch Managing Partner John Shoro said. "Another law firm is opening up in Worcester, but there's a lot going on in Worcester. I don't think that changes our philosophy or commitment to the area. People come and go form law firms all the time." Prince Lobel's expansion shows how the Central Mass. economy is enticing new players from areas like Boston, said Leonardo Angiulo, past president of the Worcester County Bar Association. "Having a presence in Worcester makes sense for any business because of how strong our local economy is," 'is is a talent and client business, and there's a lot of great talent and great clients in Worcester.' Why a Boston firm wanted Bowditch's lawyers PHOTO | EDD COTE BY ERIC CASEY WBJ Staff Writer W orcester's legal scene has long been topped by three major law firms: Mirick O'Con- nell, Bowditch & Dewey, and Fletcher Tilton. Founded in 1916, 1914, and 1822, these three entrenched firms received news of a new challenger arriving from the east in July, when high-profile, Bos- ton-based Prince Lobel Tye announced it would open a Worcester office. With plans of upward of 30 attorneys in Worcester, Prince Lobel convinced about a dozen Bowditch lawyers to join the firm, led by Michael Angelini, who has been the most-recognizable Bowditch attorney for decades and has been part of the firm since the 1960s. "is is the first time to my knowl- edge a firm from Boston of the nature, character, reputation, and proficiency of Prince Lobel has come to Worcester. I think in that regard, it's big news," Angelini said. e move led to the largest shake- up in the Central Massachusetts legal landscape in at least a generation, with a number of other well-known Bowditch attorneys joining Angelini at Prince Lo- bel. e sudden emergence of this new Michael Angelini, who worked for Bowditch for 57 years, has moved on to Prince Lobel Tye as the Boston-based firm opens a Worcester office. L AW & AC C O U N T I N G

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