What is the oldest law firm in New York City?
Asked by: Fern Funk DDS | Last update: January 24, 2026Score: 4.3/5 (55 votes)
Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP (known as Cadwalader) is a white-shoe law firm based in New York City. It is the city's oldest law firm and one of the oldest continuously operating legal practices in the United States. Attorney John Wells founded the practice in 1792.
Who is the biggest law firm in NYC?
The latest ranking is based on New York offices of U.S-founded firms in 2023. The NYLJ 100 reported for the first time last year that Kirkland & Ellis, with its roots in Chicago, became the largest New York firm, surpassing Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison and Davis Polk & Wardwell.
What are the oldest US law firms?
- Rawle & Henderson, LLP. Rawle & Henderson, LLP was founded on September 15, 1783, in Philadelphia by William Rawle. ...
- Howard, Kohn, Sprague & FitzGerald. ...
- Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft. ...
- Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, LLP.
What is the world's oldest law firm?
THE FIRM With roots going back to 1570, Thomson Snell & Passmore have been honoured by the Guinness World Records as the oldest law firm in operation.
What is Cadwalader known for?
Cadwalader pioneers the creation of mortgage- and asset-backed securities, including pass-through certificates, guaranteed mortgage certificates and collateralized mortgage obligations. The Firm also establishes a leading commodities swaps and derivatives practice.
Big Law's Big Paychecks: Partner Compensation, Explained
What is the oldest law firm in New York?
Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP (known as Cadwalader) is a white-shoe law firm based in New York City. It is the city's oldest law firm and one of the oldest continuously operating legal practices in the United States. Attorney John Wells founded the practice in 1792.
Is Cadwalader prestigious?
According to the National Law Journal's 2024 NLJ 500 ranking of firms based on size, Cadwalader has 433 attorneys and is ranked 115th in the United States. With $551,630,000 gross revenue in 2023, the firm placed 94th on The American Lawyer's 2024 Am Law 200 ranking.
What law firm did Obama work at?
While in law school he worked as an associate at the law firm Sidley & Austin in 1989, where he met his future wife, Michelle LaVaughn Robinson, and where Newton N. Minow was a managing partner. Minow later would introduce Obama to some of Chicago's top business leaders.
What is the most successful law firm in the US?
Kirkland & Ellis LLP is the highest-paid law firm in the USA, generating an impressive $7.21 billion in revenue in 2023. This firm's substantial earnings are fueled by its strong performance in corporate law and handling high-profile cases, positioning it at the forefront of the legal industry.
What is the oldest legal profession?
Notaries represent the oldest and smallest branch of the legal profession in England & Wales. (Notaries in Scotland are regulated separately like the other Scottish legal professions). Some legal work is reserved to the various legal professions.
How many lawyers are at Cadwalader?
Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft LLP is a global law firm established in 1792 that serves a diverse client base, including many financial institutions and corporations in more than 50 countries. The firm's more than 400 attorneys are based in New York, Charlotte, Washington, D.C., London and Dublin.
What kind of lawyer makes the most money in NYC?
- Corporate Lawyers. Corporate lawyers help their clients grow and manage their businesses. ...
- Personal Injury Lawyers. Personal injury lawyers may handle various types of cases. ...
- Tax Attorneys. ...
- Bankruptcy Lawyers. ...
- Criminal Defense Attorneys. ...
- Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm in New York, NY.
Who is the top person in a law firm?
- The King, which is the Managing Partner (or law firm CEO) at the top. ...
- Nobles, who are the other partners and have “land” (i.e., own a percentage of the firm). ...
- Knights (the salaried associates, income partners, and counsel attorneys in the firm).
Which law firm has the most Harvard graduates?
Lone Star litigation boutique Gibbs & Bruns is famous for procuring settlements and verdicts of well into the millions and billions for major clients in various industries. The litigation boutique is also a go-to firm for Harvard Law alumni who make up more than one-quarter of the total number of attorneys.
Did Joe Biden work at a law firm?
His grades were relatively poor, and he graduated 76th in a class of 85. He was admitted to the Delaware bar in 1969. Biden clerked at a Wilmington law firm headed by prominent local Republican William Prickett in 1968 and, he later said, "thought of myself as a Republican".
Was Michelle Obama a partner at a law firm?
Following law school, Obama became an associate at the Chicago office of the law firm Sidley & Austin, where she met her future husband Barack. At the firm, she worked on marketing and intellectual property law.
What law firm did Hillary Clinton work for?
Rose Law Firm. In November 1976, after Bill Clinton was elected Arkansas attorney general, and the couple moved to the state capital of Little Rock. In February 1977, Rodham joined the venerable Rose Law Firm, a bastion of Arkansan political and economic influence. She was the first female associate at the firm.
What is the best law firm in New York?
- Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP. ...
- Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. ...
- Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP. ...
- Sullivan & Cromwell LLP. ...
- Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP. ...
- Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP. ...
- Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP. ...
- Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP.
What are the oldest law firms?
As the nation's oldest law firm, established in 1783, Rawle & Henderson LLP remains committed to increasing its diversity.
What is the richest law firm in the world?
Kirkland & Ellis came out on top with $7.2 billion in revenue. A 10 top firms have multiple offices around the world and employ thousands of lawyers.
What type of lawyer makes the most money?
Patent Attorney Salary
Patent attorneys are the highest-paid type of lawyers, with an average salary of $185,351, ranging from $119,88 to $285,530. Various factors contribute to a patent attorney's average salary, including experience, firm, location, and subject matter expertise.
What are the magic circle law firms?
At the time, these firms were Allen & Overy, Clifford Chance, Freshfields, Linklaters, and Slaughter and May. Generally, the Magic Circle firms have among the highest earnings-per-partner and earnings-per-lawyer of UK-headquartered law firms.
What is the oldest Wall Street law firm?
Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP is the oldest Wall Street firm still in existence. Its practices include capital markets, corporate, finance, financial regulatory, financial restructuring, litigation, and real estate. The firm has a well-established presence in Charlotte, Dublin, London, New York, and Washington, DC.