The law firm known today as Duane Morris was founded in Philadelphia in 1904. In the early 20th century, the partnership helped clients with any of the legal needs of the day, such as negotiating contracts between local business owners or handling the property issues regarding the sale of farmland. Our clients' needs have changed dramatically since then. Our 21st century lawyers are more likely to negotiate multimillion-dollar transactions between global corporations or handle intellectual property issues regarding the licensing of biotechnology discoveries.
From a partnership of four Philadelphia attorneys in 1904, the firm has grown to be among the 100 largest in the world. Duane Morris' more than 800 lawyers now work out of offices in North America, Europe and Asia to address clients' issues around the globe.
Throughout all the growth, Duane Morris always has been guided by the same principle. At the heart of our firm is a partnership, an agreement to work together in the pursuit of our clients' goals. Under the leadership of the firm's founders, and the influence of past and present chairmen, Duane Morris has embraced a culture of inclusiveness, congeniality and consensus building that is rare among law firms. Decades ago, Morris Duane, former chairman and descendant of two of the firm's founders, detailed the ideals and philosophies of service that our lawyers inherit from previous generations of Duane Morris partners, including:
"Integrity, reliability, lack of greed, good humor, hard work of high quality, a desire to be the best, willingness to sacrifice personal pursuits for the benefit of clients, involvement in civic affairs for the benefit of the community, tolerance of divergent views, concern for those less fortunate, devotion to our families, and among the partners and all others in the office a subordination of self for the welfare of the group and its clients which in the world of sports is known as teamwork."
While the partnership at Duane Morris may have grown beyond the founders' imaginations, their spirit of unity and dedication to client service continues to guide our firm and shape our future.
1904
- Duane, Morris, Heckscher & Roberts founded in Philadelphia
- Russell Duane, descendant of Benjamin Franklin, co-founds Committee of 70 to defend the integrity of democratic elections
1917
- Roland S. Morris, Firm founder and its first chairman, named U.S. Ambassador to Japan
1945
- Morris Duane becomes Chairman of Duane, Morris & Heckscher
1954
- Duane, Morris & Heckscher celebrates its 50th anniversary
1966
- William White becomes Chairman of Duane, Morris & Heckscher
1978
- Jane Leslie Dalton first female elected to partnership at Duane, Morris & Heckscher
1979
- Thomas M. Hyndman becomes Chairman of Duane, Morris & Heckscher
1983
- Duane, Morris & Heckscher grows to more than 100 lawyers
1985
- Duane, Morris & Heckscher opens an office in Wilmington
1986
- Wescott Financial Advisory Group established as Duane Morris' first ancillary business
1989
- A. John May becomes Chairman of Duane Morris
1994
- Duane Morris opens an office in New York
- Roland Morris becomes Chairman of Duane Morris
- Marjorie O. Rendell, Duane Morris partner, appointed as a federal judge
1996
- Duane Morris opens an office in Newark
1997
- Duane Morris opens an office in Washington, D.C.
1998
- Sheldon Bonovitz becomes Chairman of Duane Morris
- Duane Morris recognized as a large mid-Atlantic regional law firm (approximately 240 lawyers and $80M in revenue)
- Sheldon Bonovitz defines a strategy for Duane Morris to expand to a national platform
- Duane Morris opens an office in San Francisco
1999
- Duane Morris opens offices in Chicago, Houston, Boston and Miami
2000
- Duane Morris expands to Europe with an office in London
- Duane Morris opens an office in Atlanta
2001
- American Lawyer recognizes Duane Morris as one of the U.S.' largest law firms for first time
2002
- Duane Morris grows to more than 500 lawyers (doubling in size in only four years)
- Michael M. Baylson, Duane Morris partner, appointed as a federal judge
2003
- Duane Morris opens offices in San Diego and Pittsburgh
- Duane Morris announces $1M grant to the People's Emergency Center Community Development Corp.
2004
- Gene E.K. Pratter, Duane Morris general counsel, appointed as federal judge
- Duane Morris celebrates 100th anniversary
2005
- Barbara Adams, Duane Morris partner, appointed general counsel for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
- Duane Morris opens an office in Los Angeles
2006
- Duane Morris merges with California firm Hancock Rothert & Bunshoft
- Duane Morris opens offices in Baltimore and Las Vegas
- Neil P. Olack, Duane Morris partner, appointed as U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge
2007
- Jane Leslie Dalton, Duane Morris partner, named chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association
- Duane Morris expands to Asia with offices in Singapore and Vietnam (Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City)
2008
- John Soroko becomes Chairman and CEO of Duane Morris
- Robert E. Grossman, Duane Morris partner, appointed as U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge
2009
- Soroko focuses growth agenda on sustainability, diversity and international reach
2010
- Duane Morris' joint venture with Singapore firm Selvam LLC significantly expands firm's presence in Asia
2011
- Neil Bason, Duane Morris counsel, appointed as U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge
2012
2013
- Duane Morris opens an office in Silicon Valley
- Duane Morris becomes first U.S.-based law firm to open an office in Myanmar (joint venture with Selvam continues expansion in Asia)
2014
2015
2017
2018
- Duane Morris grows to more than 800 lawyers
- Matt Taylor becomes Chairman and CEO of Duane Morris
2019
- Taylor and vice chair Tom Servodidio spearhead strategic plan focused on industries, client relationships, culture and performance