CT Senate Minority Leader Harding joins law firm in Orange
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Senate Minority Leader Stephen Harding Jr. (R-Brookfield).
After a decade running his own law firm in Danbury, Senate Minority Leader Stephen G. Harding Jr. (R-Brookfield) is joining the law firm Zabel Schellenberg PLLC in Orange.
The firm announced Wednesday that Harding has joined the firm as of counsel and will practice in the areas of probate, real estate law and municipal law. Municipal law is a new practice area for Harding; in his solo practice, he focused on real estate and probate matters, as well as wills and trusts.
His practice, at 57 North St., Suite 220, in Danbury, will remain open but will become a secondary office of Zabel Schellenberg, the firm said, adding that Harding’s clients will stay with him as he joins their firm.
"His dedication to client service and his deep understanding of government and legislative matters make him a perfect fit for our firm," said David Zabel, a member at Zabel Schellenberg.
Harding graduated with a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Albertus Magnus College in New Haven. He earned his law degree from New York Law School.
After graduation, he began his legal career as an associate attorney with the Law Offices of Dean L. Lewis in Danbury. Lewis, however, died unexpectedly in September 2015, which led Harding to open his own practice.
That same year, Harding won a special election to fill an open seat in the 107th House district, serving Brookfield, Bethel and Danbury. He served four terms before being elected to the state Senate in 2022 from the 30th District, the state’s largest geographically.
Harding was subsequently elected Senate Minority Leader in February 2024, succeeding Sen. Kevin Kelly.
In an exclusive interview with Hartford Business Journal, Harding said he believed it was “the right time” to combine with a larger firm.
“I got to know this firm very well and the partners there, and I admire them greatly,” Harding said. “I want to be able to get more into municipal work and municipal law. It's something that intrigues me.”
He added that he wants to grow his municipal practice, which he said will be the “primary focus” of the change, but working with Zabel Schellenberg and its support staff will also provide him “more time and structure and support” as he serves both his clients and those who elected him to serve in the Senate.
“This is an amazing opportunity,” he said.
In addition to Zabel Schellenberg’s municipal practice group, the firm also represents clients in civil litigation, labor and employment law, appellate law, and land use and real estate law. Firm members said they also plan to open a new office in New Haven in the spring.
Harding is not the only elected official to join Zabel Schellenberg. Timothy M. Herbst, who served as first selectman in Trumbull from 2009-17, also is a member of the firm.
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