In 1978, G. David Eldridge, Q.C. (retired) moved back to the Barrington area from practicing in the Dartmouth area to open up his own practice. He became Barrington’s first resident lawyer. Originally his office was located in the Municipal building. Over the years his practice grew including adding a 2nd lawyer for a couple of years, then became focused on Solicitor’s work. In 1983, his wife Jane joined him as a legal assistant, office manager, and bookkeeper and they continued to work together along with other staff. In 1995, David contracted to have the office building constructed, which our firm now calls home. Special thanks to unofficial supervisor, Michael Eldridge, David and Jane’s son.
In 2009, Allen Fownes of Fownes Law Offices Inc. bought part of the legal practice from David, including the office building. David and Jane moved the remainder of his practice to their home and operated a scaled-down practice in semi-retirement.
Allen had his law practice based out of Liverpool for many years and expanded down the South Shore with the purchase of the Barrington office. In 2015, Allen hired Benjamin to work primarily in Barrington. In 2018, Barrington Law Inc. bought the law practice in Barrington from Fownes Law. Allen continues to have an active practice now primarily based in Halifax, and our practices continue to work together when the opportunity arises.
In 2020, David officially retired as a lawyer, and Barrington Law took over all his active files and company minute books. Barrington Law is now the custodian of the archived files of David’s practice and many of the archived files from Allen’s Barrington practice.
Our firm continues in the tradition built by David and Jane in their service and commitment to our broader community. David continues to have an active “of Counsel” role with our firm.
Benjamin graduated from St. Thomas University in Fredericton, NB, with Dean’s List honours before joining the workforce for a few years. He then enrolled at Dalhousie University’s Schulich School of Law, where he was awarded the valuable Schulich Scholarship in his final year. After graduation in 2013, Benjamin articled with the Halifax firm of Blois, Nickerson & Bryson (as it was at that time). Benjamin, who is originally from the Truro area, then moved with his family to the Barrington area in 2015/16, where he practiced full-time with Fownes Law.
In December, 2018, Barrington Law Inc. was formed when Benjamin purchased the Barrington law practice from Fownes Law Offices Inc.
Benjamin is a member of many professional and legal associations regionally, provincially, and nationally. He also serves as a board member within the local community and region whenever he can, including serving as both Board Chair and Vice-Chair of the Western Regional Enterprise Network. He enjoys travelling and many outdoor activities, some even in the winter.
Managing Lawyer
Started in 2015
Legal Assistant for Commercial transactions, Marine, Business, Mortgages, and Domestic Contracts
Accounts Manager
Started in 2016
Legal Assistant for Estates, Trusts, MB Maintenance, and Corporate
Started in 2018
Legal Assistant for Property and Wills & POAs
Started in 2021
Special Thanks to Blair’s Computer Service of Barrington for ongoing Technical Support, Flocial Digital Marketing of Yarmouth for ongoing Social Media support, and Wendt Communication Partners LLC for creating our website.