Adam Barrist is a personal injury lawyer in Media who decided it was time to add a British speakeasy, the Barrister, to his law firm, writes Stephanie Farr for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
“I‘ve always felt like there’s nothing that can’t be cured over a cocktail with somebody,” he said.
This actually happened when a Chicago defense attorney was ready to go to trial over a lawsuit filed by Barrist.
After sharing some drinks with the out-of-towner at the pub– with its dark navy-blue walls, Scottish tartan plaid carpeting, draped gold-and-maroon satin and velour curtains, and a 10-foot-long mahogany bar–they agreed to mediate the case instead of going to trial.
Barrist loves British pubs. And unlike movies or books, opposing lawyers never share a drink after a case. He hoped to change that.
His first thought was to open a pub in his house, but his wife, Leeann, who works for him as a paralegal, wasn’t keen on the idea.
The couple, who had been renting office space since 2018, decided they wanted to buy law offices in Media. The pub idea morphed into the new office space.
Leeann designed the pub, which officially opened March 8.
To find out how the Barrister came to life inside a Media law firm and the story behind it, read the full article in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Editor’s Note: This post was initially published on DELCO.Today in June 2025.
