A Brief History

Gawthrop Greenwood was founded by Robert S. Gawthrop in 1904. During his career, Mr. Gawthrop served as a judge, worked on special commissions, and held the offices of both  district attorney and deputy attorney general of Pennsylvania. In 1911, Mr. Gawthrop moved the practice to the Waddell and Pinkerton Building at 119 North High Street, which remained the firm’s home until early 2004 when the firm moved around the corner to its present location at 17 East Gay Street to accommodate its growth.

Mr. Gawthrop was joined by his son Thomas Gawthrop, who eventually was elected Chester County District Attorney, continuing the firm's tradition of public service. Yet another son, Robert S. Gawthrop Jr., and W. Edward Greenwood joined the firm in the 1940's. In 1957, Thomas Gawthrop was appointed to the bench and also in that year, the firm's name was changed to Gawthrop and Greenwood. In 1960, John Halsted joined the firm and soon served Chester County as an Assistant District Attorney. In the 1970's, Robert S. Gawthrop III joined the firm, eventually being elected as a judge to the Court of Common Pleas and, nine years later, he was appointed to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. In 1979, the firm changed its name to Gawthrop, Greenwood and Halsted. Recently, the firm chose the name "Gawthrop Greenwood" as its trade name.

A timeless tradition of service and commitment.

At Gawthrop Greenwood, we are continuing our firm's tradition of service, commitment, and excellence in the representation of our clients. Service to our clients and the community has always come first and we carry that practice forth as we begin our second century of quality legal representation.

Our primary areas of practice include:

• Business Law
• Business Litigation
• Commercial Transactions
• Construction Litigation
• Education Law
• Elder Law
• Employment Law
• Environmental Law
• Family Law
• Personal Injury
• Professional Liability
• Real Estate and Land Use
• Wills, Trusts and Estates

For more detailed information about these practice areas, read through the pages listed above.

Our firm is pleased to continue the tradition established in 1904 by Robert S. Gawthrop. Contact the firm to become part of that tradition.

The law firm of Gawthrop Greenwood serves West Chester, Pennsylvania, and surrounding communities, including Downingtown, Exton, Kennett Square, Main Line Philadelphia, Coatesville, and Paoli, and the counties of Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia, Lancaster, Berks and Bucks.