Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner history

A merger resulted in Stewart, Bryan, Christie & Williams in 1911.

In 1916, P. Taylor Bryan's name becomes first in the firm title, where it remains to this day.

Rhodes Cave joined the firm in 1917, and it was then named Bryan, Williams & Cave.

In 1932 a UK-based firm Paisner & Co, provided general legal advice, including conveyancing.

1939 Firm takes on as client in the United States a "poor Scotsman with just a little 'bitty' aviation company" and has served it since its founding.

Leighton & Co in 1947 provided litigation and property advice to property developers in the West End of London.

1970 Berwin Leighton is formed from a merger of Leighton & Co and Berwin & Co.

1973 As it begins its second 100 years, Bryan Cave has become a strong regional law firm with 52 lawyers in St Louis.

1978 First office outside St Louis is opened in Washington, D.C., to enhance growing legislative practice.

1987 Expansion to the west and southwest.

1993 Firm chosen to represent the government of Kuwait in the preparation, submission and prosecution of its claims of more than $100 billion against the state of Iraq arising out of the invasion and occupation of Kuwait.

1994 United States branch of the firm establishes its Asia presence in Hong Kong and Shanghai, while the UK branch of the firm opens its first international office in Brussels, which provides advice on all aspects of EU and international competition law and regulatory and single market issues.

1996 Firm lawyers represent client in multiple $100+ million mergers and acquisitions.

1998 Client Bob Costas emcees Bryan Cave's 125 year anniversary celebration in nationwide simulcast.

2001 Berwin Leighton Paisner is formed comprising of more than 900 staff including 122 partners.

2004 Firm establishes office in southern Illinois to assist clients with class action, product liability and commercial litigation matters in Madison and St Clair Counties in Illinois.

2008 Bryan Cave opens offices in San Francisco and Paris.

2009 Berwin Leighton Paisner was joined by a team of 70 lawyers in Moscow under the leadership of Andrey Goltsblat to form a full service, multi-award winning office under the name Goltsblat BLP.

2012 Bryan Cave and Denver-based Holme Roberts & Owen (HRO) merge, adding new offices in Denver, Boulder and Colorado Springs.

2014 Bryan Cave establishes office in Miami.

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner was formed in 2018, but the history of our founding firms dates back more than 140 years.

2020 BCLP's presence in Paris doubles in size to 70 lawyers, increasing the office's capabilities in antitrust and competition, employment and labor, energy, financing, M&A, public law, real estate, and tax.