Our History
In 1961, Roger E. Labrie passed the Massachusetts Bar and began practicing law in Chicopee, Massachusetts in his home on Ward Street while working full time as an insurance claims manager at Reliance Insurance Co. On April 4, 1966, he and Rudy LeBel purchased a lot with a building thereon from Dr. Arthur LaRochelle, Jr. Roger began his full time practice in the building at 639 Grattan Street, sharing the space with LeBel Insurance Agency. Simultaneously, he lured his wife Louise away from Buckley, Richardson, Ryan & Gelinas, a prestigious Springfield Law Office to work for him. Roger Pouliot, a Chicopee native, joined the firm soon after. The new building was built, and the firm became known as Laurie & Pouliot. LeBel Insurance Agency continued at that 641 Grattan Street address as well, until 1982, when both of Roger’s sons, Michael and Gary graduated from WNE Law School and WNE Business School, respectively, joined the firm. Michael as a practicing attorney and Gary as the firm’s business manager.
Due to the growth of both businesses, the young counselor decided to purchase the land next door, and in 1972 a new building was constructed by Roger’s brother-in-law, Donald.
The firm took over the entire building and its main focus continued to be to serve all of the legal needs of the entire community , all the while continuing countless hours of devotion to the area’s youth and non-profit charitable organizations.
Serving the Community with Integrity Since 1961
Our Community Involvement
Aldemville Junior Athletic Club (A.J.A.C.), in fact, was founded in the basement of Roger and Louise’s home on Ward Street. They both served as long time directors of the organization. Roger also coached many years of basketball and baseball for A.J.A.C., and, to this day, an annual scholarship is named in his honor. Roger also served many years on St. Rose de Lima’s finance council and on the Board of Directors for the Aldenville Credit Union. He was also City Solicitor for the City of Chicopee during the Vietnam War era.
The firm continued to grow after Roger passed in 1995. Attorney Jeffrey M. Guile had joined the firm prior to that date, and Attorney Ronald R. LaRocque joined the firm immediately thereafter.
The building was expanded once again and in the 20 plus years since, the fir has grown to serve the needs of not only the community of Aldenville and Chicopee, but throughout the Pioneer Valley (WestMass); mostly as a result of the many years of continued fair and courteous legal services to thousands of household as well as the “community first” attitude, as is exemplified by the services, its partners and associates have entirely dedicate their levels to.
The firm presently consists of 4 lawyers with combined years of experience of over 125 years in nearly all areas of law (Please see Areas of Practice), together with a support staff of 6 dedicated and loyal paralegals and associates, as well as its office manager of nearly 40 years, Gary Labrie, who presently serves as a City Councilor in the City of Chicopee.
LABRIE, POULIOT, La ROCQUE & GUIEL, P.C. WAS RECENTLY HONORED IN OCTOBER AS THE RECIPIENT OF THE DONALD & LOUIS PRESCOTT FOUNDER’S AWARD FOR “DEDICATION IN MAKING A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF CHICOPEE BOYS & GIRLC CLUB MEMBERS”.