November
2002
Business
Spotlight: Backes and Hill is one of Trenton's oldest and greatest
treasures
By
Joe Emanski
In
a city like Trenton that's experienced tremendous turnover in
its businesses and residents over the last century, a place like
the law firm of Backes and Hill is a bona fide treasure. Established
in 1886 by the son of a German immigrant, the downtown firm is
the oldest continually operating firm in the city.
But what makes Backes and Hill even more memorable is its commitment
to the Trenton-area community. From its 116-year relationship
with the Catholic Diocese of Trenton to its current ties to St.
Francis Medical Center and the United Way of Greater Mercer County,
the tradition of serving on the boards of area organizations goes
hand in hand with everything they do in the practice of law.
On the wall in one conference room of the Backes and Hill offices
is a picture of the Forst-Richey Building, the first story of
which still stands at the corner of State and Warren. From 1892
to 1925, Peter Backes kept his offices there. From 1925 until
1984, the firm resided in the Trenton Trust Building. Today it's
still nestled comfortably in the downtown, at the corner of West
Front Street and Peace Street. It's a remarkably small number
of moves for a business that's experienced all of Trenton's ups
and downs.
The Backes family history is elegantly wrapped around the history
of the firm. Peter Backes took son Herbert W. as a partner in
1913 and changed the firm name to Backes and Backes. His other
son, William Wright Backes, joined the practice in 1930. At Peter's
death in 1941, his son, Robert Maddock Backes, had already joined
the firm. Today 82 years old, the retired U.S. Army Brig. Gen.
Robert Backes is still part of the firm.
"This
firm has always loved the law. Loved to talk to lawyers, loved
the exchanges with judges. We have the best system in the world
(in America)," says Harry R. Hill, Jr., the firm's managing
partner.
The
walls of the conference room also feature collective portraits
of past Mercer County Bar members. Hill can tell stories about
many of the people pictured-a demonstration of the advantages
of being the city's oldest law firm with the most intimate knowledge
of its history.
One
other thing you notice about the portraits through the years is
the prominence of the name Backes. The family is indeed one of
the most distinguished N.J. legal history.
Trenton's place as the capital of New Jersey and the seat of Mercer
County makes it a logical place to operate a law practice. Yet
many law offices fled the city during its years of turmoil.
"When
the city emptied out of lawyers, we stayed," points out Hill.
What made that the right decision for Backes and Hill?
"The
courthouse is here," Hill says. "I walk to the courthouse.
We're down there every week. We do a lot of defense work and a
lot of our people are trial attorneys and it's very nice for us.
You hear everyone else, they complain about parking…we don't
have to worry about parking. Plus the fact that a lot of our clients
are down here."
Their
client list past and present is further evidence of the large
role they have played in the city. The office has served clients
such as New Jersey National Bank (now First Union), Transamerica
Delaval Inc., Roller-Bearing Company of America and New Jersey
Manufacturers, and the Trenton location has never ceased to be
a boon to practice. The firm also takes pride in being able to
say that it has represented many clients over the years for long
periods of time.
"We're
a very small firm, we've never been large. But even with the smallness,
we have four past members who have been president of the (Mercer
County) Bar Association," says Hill, a Trenton native and
Trenton High grad who joined the firm in 1958.
Perhaps as remarkable as Backes and Hill's commitment to Trenton
and Mercer County is its ability to maintain its independence.
"We've
been approached by big New York and Philadelphia firms, and we've
just said 'No.' Because if you do that, they limit what you can
do for charities, and we didn't want to do it," says Hill.
Almost
everyone in the office is active in community and charitable functions.
Hill is a member of the St. Francis Hospital board of directors
and is a past president, which Robert Backes is a past chair at
Mercer Medical Center. Hill also stepped aside as a member of
the board of the United Way of Greater Mercer County so that Backes
and Hill associate Chris Hamilton could step in to take his place.
And now the city is beginning to make the decision to stay all
the more wise.
"We
are so happy to see Trenton coming back," says Hill. "You
see things going on all around the city," Hill adds. "West
State Street from Willow to Calhoun used to be nothing but for-sale
signs. They're all gone. It's kind of exciting being here. In
the last five years we've been seeing large (law) firms opening
branch offices in Trenton. They want to be near the state capital.
It's all within walking distance."
Harry Hill only sees more growth in Trenton's future.
"I
see it coming back as a different city," he says. "I
see us coming back with governmental expansion of offices. With
sports, arts, museums, symphonies, education. That is something
that will blossom even more than today. Thomas Edison State College
is something that has expanded and grown like mad."
And you can expect to see law offices return in even greater numbers.
"You'll see is more branches of big firms coming to Trenton,"
Hill adds. "It's comfortable to practice here. I take a walk
in the center of the city every day - it's safe. Safe is a relative
word. It's as safe as a parking lot for the Quaker Bridge Shopping
Center."
It's also safe to say that Backes and Hill is and will continue
to be one of Trenton's most valuable assets.
#
# #
