Raising the bar Select a chapter to learn more

    Morgan Lewis in World War II and PostWar America

    Honorable World War II service by firm members includes that of Captain John Bracken and Lt. Brady Bryson, who would go on to assist the chief US counsel at the Nuremberg War Crimes trial.

    1940-1999
    William Clarke Mason
    1940
    William Clarke Mason
    is elected chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association, followed by Arthur Littleton (1950–52) and John R. McConnell (1971).
    “There is no limit to what can be accomplished if it makes no difference who receives the credit.”
    Arthur Littleton
    1957
    Arthur Littleton

    Arthur Littleton becomes Chair as a quintessential team player, dedicated to the firm and client service. To this day, partners quote his mantra—which still shapes the firm’s culture: “There is no limit to what can be accomplished if it makes no difference who receives the credit.”

    Philadelphia Orchestra and The Kimmel Center
    A decades-long relationship with the globally preeminent Philadelphia Orchestra deepens. Those ties continue today, including representing the orchestra and The Kimmel Center—which engages diverse communities as one of America’s largest performing arts centers—in the 2021 formation of a new parent company.
    1959
    Strawbridge & Clothier
    Strawbridge & Clothier
    On behalf of prominent retailer Strawbridge & Clothier, Morgan Lewis begins a string of challenges to the state’s blue laws requiring all stores to shutter on Sundays.
    Look Ahead
    1960
    Ring, Ring!

    A flurry of memos are exchanged on how to connect phone lines between the firm's Philadelphia and Washington, DC offices, finally leading to a “tie-line” in 1963. The first long-distance conference call between offices won’t happen for more than a decade—in 1976—when DC, Harrisburg, New York, and Los Angeles connect by phone for a roundtable discussion of pending business.

    Ring, Ring!

    A flurry of memos are exchanged on how to connect phone lines between the firm's Philadelphia and Washington, DC offices, finally leading to a “tie-line” in 1963. The first long-distance conference call between offices won’t happen for more than a decade—in 1976—when DC, Harrisburg, New York, and Los Angeles connect by phone for a roundtable discussion of pending business.

    A Champion of Diversity
    Yale University Law School grad Gail McKnight Beckman becomes the first woman associate to join the firm. Later, Morgan Lewis would come to be known as a champion of diversity, and the largest law firm chaired by a woman.
    Look Ahead
    1963
    A Champion of Diversity
    Yale University Law School grad Gail McKnight Beckman becomes the first woman associate to join the firm. Later, Morgan Lewis would come to be known as a champion of diversity, and the largest law firm chaired by a woman.
    Look Ahead
    Morgan Lewis would come to be known as a champion of diversity
    • 1970
      First
      Hispanic partner
    • 1980
      First
      Female partner
    • 1981
      First
      Asian partner
    • 1985
      First
      Black partner
    1966
    Morgan Lewis emerges as a major player in the airline industry
    In 1966, the firm helps multiple airlines settle the worst airline strike in US history. Fifteen years later, Morgan Lewis leads the way in settling the 1981 Air Traffic Controllers Strike.
    Morgan Lewis emerges as a major player in the airline industry
    In 1966, the firm helps multiple airlines settle the worst airline strike in US history. Fifteen years later, Morgan Lewis leads the way in settling the 1981 Air Traffic Controllers Strike.
    Disney world
    In 1968, Morgan Lewis lawyers negotiate labor contracts for the Walt Disney Company to build Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The project’s first phase, the Magic Kingdom, opens in 1971.
    1968
    Disney world
    In 1968, Morgan Lewis lawyers negotiate labor contracts for the Walt Disney Company to build Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The project’s first phase, the Magic Kingdom, opens in 1971.
    The firm launches an organized effort around pro bono and civil rights matters, building on a practice dating back to the turn of the century of the firm helping those in need.
    1971
    1973
    centennial
    The firm turns 100 years old. The celebration of its Centennial includes publishing Morgan, Lewis & Bockius—Memoir of a Law Firm.
    1973
    Scroll to explore
    Morgan Lewis expands across the country
    new york
    1972
    Los Angeles
    1976
    Miami
    1977
    Princeton
    1993
    Pittsburgh
    1996
    1977
    Morgan Lewis boots up its first centralized word processing system
    In 1977, a lateral partner joins the firm with his personal computer—and a massive database on employee benefits law. Soon other lawyers request computers. The answer: NO. The Morgan Lewis anniversary memoir captured the sentiment: “What could be more ludicrous than every lawyer with a computer!”
    Look Ahead
    Scroll to explore
    Morgan Lewis Goes Global
    London
    1981
    Tokyo
    1988
    Frankfurt
    1989
    Brussels
    1989
    Claims adjudication
    In 1981, after the year-long Iran hostage crisis ends and 52 Americans are released from the US embassy in Tehran, a tribunal is convened to adjudicate claims to $8 billion in frozen assets. Morgan Lewis is at the center, both trying and settling claims on behalf of more than 30 clients.
    Top Officials Across the Highest Ranks of GOVERNMENT Service
    In the 1970s and 1980s, the firm's Washington, DC office emerges as a powerhouse, with a former FTC chair, an EPA chief, an SEC commissioner, two former IRS commissioners, and former top Justice Department officials.
    Look Ahead
    1981
    Top Officials Across the Highest Ranks of GOVERNMENT Service
    In the 1970s and 1980s, the firm's Washington, DC office emerges as a powerhouse, with a former FTC chair, an EPA chief, an SEC commissioner, two former IRS commissioners, and former top Justice Department officials.
    Look Ahead
    Over those same decades, partners 140 miles north, in Philadelphia headquarters, draft more than 50 statutes—including the Pennsylvania Judicial Code and the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law—that help shape that important state’s legal framework.
    thriller
    1985
    thriller
    The London office represents Michael Jackson in the acquisition of a music publishing catalog that includes 251 Beatles classics written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney between 1964 and 1970. The complicated acquisition attracts much publicity (with the media noting that, at $47.5 million, Jackson outbid McCartney).
    1989
    Campbell Soup Heir’s Art
    With the help of Morgan Lewis, Campbell Soup Co. chair John Dorrance sells his massive art collection at a Sotheby’s auction, bringing in a then-astonishing $140 million.
    The Biggest Insurer Ever To Fail

    Executive Life Insurance Co. shocks policyholders and the financial world with its collapse—at the time the biggest insurer ever to fail—after investing in money-losing junk bonds. Morgan Lewis represents French investment group Altus in a $3.55 billion takeover, resulting in the vast majority of policyholders getting back 100% of their money.

    1991
    1992
    Client-Centric Thought Leadership

    Morgan Lewis convenes 14 seminars in six cities, attended by 1,500 clients and friends of the firm; publishes five specialized new periodicals with mailing lists of up to 11,000; issues 180 pieces of literature for use in presentations; and publishes 90 white papers, speeches, and articles on critical legal developments. This outpouring of thought leadership would set the stage for today’s focus on providing clients and alumni with business-critical information, analysis, networking, and continuing legal education opportunities.

    In the 1990s, the firm’s emerging growth business practice takes off with computer and biotech clients—and later, venture investors. Their work helps shape Philadelphia’s regional economy from its former industrial base into a tech-based economy.

    Morgan Lewis
    unveils its
    first website
    1996
    Celebrating 125 years with the "Power of the hour"
    1998
    Celebrating 125 years with the "Power of the hour"
    Morgan Lewis celebrates its 125th anniversary with another display of civic engagement, launching the “power of the hour” fundraiser for the National Constitution Center and challenging law firms across the United States to join. The center was created by US Congress to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the signing of the US Constitution with a state-of-the-art museum and educational center. Morgan Lewis partner Alan Reed was at the forefront and served as a founding board member.

    A New Century, A New Morgan Lewis: The 2000s

    see next Chapter
    2000