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Mayer Brown history
Mayer Brown company history timeline
In 1881 Levy Mayer joined the Illinois Bar and began practicing law with Adolf Kraus and William S. Brackett.
1881: Levy Mayer starts his law practice in Chicago.
The US portion of the firm was founded in 1881 in Chicago, by Adolf Kraus and Levy Mayer, and was shortly thereafter known as Kraus, Mayer & Brackett.
Partners included Isaac H. Mayer, who had joined the bar in 1886 and became a specialist in trademarks and unfair competition.
Carl Meyer, a graduate of Yale University, had studied law under Levy Mayer before joining the bar in 1890.
1890 Sharp's firm first assumes the name Johnson Stokes & Master (former name of JSM).
In 1893 the partnership became known as Moran, Kraus, Mayer & Stein.
1893 The US firm changes its name to Moran, Kraus, Mayer & Stein after Illinois Appellate Judge Thomas A. Moran joins the practice.
Founded in 1895, Rowe & Maw was well known for its corporate, construction, pension, insurance, property, and employment practices.
1899 John Rowe dies and Frederick James Maw continues the UK practice with Rowe’s name out of respect.
In 1913, just before the onset of World War I, Hubbell's Legal Directory listed Mayer, Meyer, Austrian & Platt with 11 lawyers with their offices in Chicago's American Trust Building.
New name partner H. Templeton Brown had graduated from Harvard Law School and had been admitted to the bar in 1926.
By 1960 the firm, renamed Mayer, Friedlich, Spiess, Tierney, Brown & Platt, included 28 partners and 27 associates but still had no branch offices.
1970: The firm's Washington, D.C. office is started.
Following the Nixon administration's beginning of diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China, the law firm's Everett L. Hollis in 1972 was one of the first outsiders to explain the workings of capitalism to the communist nation.
1974: Mayer, Brown & Platt opens a new branch office in New York City.
1982: The Houston office is opened.
When Continental Bank faced possible bankruptcy in 1984, the law firm could have closed or expanded its New York practice.
1985: The firm opens its Los Angeles office.
The Lord Mayor's Dragon Awards were introduced in 1987 to recognize excellence in corporate community involvement that benefits Greater London. (View release)
In 1991 Mayer, Brown & Platt chose a woman as its managing partner, one of the first large law firms to do so.
1996 French firm Lambert & Lee founded in Paris.
In 1997 Mayer, Brown & Platt's Mickey Kantor, the former secretary of the United States Department of Commerce, began serving David and Simon Reuben and their company Trans World.
The firm in 1998 acquired the seven-lawyer Charlotte, North Carolina firm of Blanchfield Cordle & Moore, which specialized in tax and litigation matters.
After three partners and ten associates of Gordon Altman Butowsky Weitzen Shalov & Wein left to join Mayer, Brown & Platt in 1999, the Chicago-based firm increased its ability to counsel mutual fund managers.
Writer Matthew Goldstein concluded that by 1999 the firm's Manhattan office had "become one of the biggest success stories among out-of-town firms."
The law firm also continued its leadership in the mergers and acquisitions field. For example, in 1999 it advised Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation in its merger with Canadian National Railway Company.
By March 2000 this branch office had grown to 30 lawyers.
By 2000 the Reubens had sold most of their business.
The 2,250-member tribe estimated that the land located in 15 counties was worth about $30 billion in 2000.
Chambers & Partners in 2001 rated the law firm, at that pre-merger time known as Mayer, Brown & Platt, as one of the top ten in North America.
2001: The firm merges with the Paris law firm of Lambert & Lee and the Frankfurt office of Gaedertz.
2002: Mayer, Brown & Platt on February 1 merges with London's Rowe & Maw to form Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw.
The transaction marks the first securitization of airline ticket receivables in Latin America since 2002.
In early 2003, the firm grew even larger after merging with area competitor Rowe & Maw to become Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw.
The firm announces that it will be combining with JSM. 2008 Combination of Mayer Brown and JSM is finalized.
2009 Mayer Brown forms an association with Brazilian law firm Tauil & Chequer Advogados.
As part of the bankruptcy proceedings, the sale of the UK subsidiary was approved by the US Bankruptcy Court in December 2013.
Airfinance Journal Deal of the Year winner The $450 million securitization of airline ticket receivables of the LATAM Airlines Group S.A. was named “Deal of the Year” for 2013 in the South America category of the annual Airfinance Journal Deal of the Year Awards.
The “Best Legal Adviser” category honors excellence among legal advisers in the delivery of PPP projects and programs in 2013.
The transaction itself was implemented through the sale of the shares of ATP UK combined with a company voluntary arrangement, with a sale value of $133 million, and was completed in February 2014.
Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index 2014 Mayer Brown received a perfect score in the 2014 Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation’s annual Corporate Equality Index (CEI) and earned the “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality” distinction.
Law360 Practice Group of the Year in Banking, Product Liability and Project Finance Mayer Brown has been named by Law360 as a “Practice Group of the Year” for 2014 in the Banking, Product Liability and Project Finance categories.
Legal 500 US Mayer Brown is ranked in 38 practice categories in the 2014 edition of Legal 500 United States, including six Tier One rankings.
PERE Asia Law Firm of the Year for Transactions 2014 Leading private equity real estate magazine PERE has named Mayer Brown “Asia Law Firm of the Year” in the Transactions category of the 2014 Global PERE Awards.
2014 Pro Bono Partner Law Firm of the Year The National Pro Bono Committee of the AT&T Legal Department has named Mayer Brown the inaugural winner of the “AT&T Pro Bono Partner Law Firm of the Year” award.
Since its launch in February 2015, the web site has received over 6,720 visitors and 15,430 views.
IJGlobal Deals of the Year Mayer Brown Banking & Finance lawyers advised on two transactions named “Deal of the Year” at the IJGlobal’s Europe & Africa Awards 2015.
China Business Law Awards 2015 Mayer Brown received three awards in China Business Law Journal’s 2015 China Business Law Awards.
Financial Times Europe Innovative Lawyers 2015 Financial Times “commended” Mayer Brown in its FT Europe Innovative Lawyers 2015 report for achieving approval for a new regime to address the deficit in the Merchant Navy Ratings Pension Fund (MNRPF) scheme.
GlobalCapital Best for ABS 2015 For the second consecutive year, Mayer Brown was named “Best Law Firm” in the Asset-Backed Securities (ABS) category of GlobalCapital’s US Securitization Awards.
International Financial Law Review Project Finance Team of the Year 2015International Financial Law Review (IFLR) named Mayer Brown “Project Finance Team of the Year” in the 2015 IFLR Americas Awards.
Latin Lawyer Recommended Firms 2015Mayer Brown and Tauil & Chequer have been named “Recommended Firms” in the 2015 edition of the Latin Lawyer 250, the definitive guide to the leading business law firms of Latin America.
Legal 500 US 2015 Mayer Brown is ranked in 46 practice categories in the 2015 edition of Legal 500 United States, including five Tier One rankings.
Legal Week and The City of London Law Society’s British Legal Awards 2015 Mayer Brown was highly commended in the “Education and Training Initiative of the Year” category for its Articled Apprenticeship program at the British Legal Awards 2015.
PERE Awards 2015 Private equity real estate magazine PERE has named Mayer Brown “Asia Law Firm of the Year” in the Transactions category of the 2015 Global PERE Awards.
Seatrade Maritime Awards Asia - Ship Finance Award 2015 Mayer Brown won the Ship Finance Award at the 8th Seatrade Maritime Awards Asia organised by Seatrade, the first for the firm.
Chambers USA The 2016 edition of Chambers USA recognized 143 Mayer Brown lawyers with 165 total rankings in 78 practice categories, including 34 lawyers who achieved a total of 43 Band One or higher rankings.
China Business Law JournalMayer Brown advised on two transactions named 2016 “Deals of the Year” by China Business Law Journal.
Financial Times Europe Innovative Lawyers 2016 The FT Europe Innovative Lawyers 2016 report “commended” Mayer Brown in the Innovation in Speed and Process category for achieving an important clarification about the scope of a "governmental intervention credit event".
GlobalCapital US Law Firm of the Year–Regulatory Mayer Brown was named “US Law Firm of the Year” in the Regulatory category at GlobalCapital’s Americas Derivatives Awards for 2016.
Property Awards Mayer Brown advised on the purchase of the ‘Alphabeta Building’ in London, named Deal of the Year at the Property Awards 2016.
The Lawyer Business Leadership Awards Mayer Brown was named Business Services Team of the Year at The Lawyer Business Leadership Awards 2016 for bucking the industry trend towards outsourcing by merging its regional IT service desk functions to create a single global solution.
Vietnam Investment Review and AVM Vietnam - M&A Advisory Firm of the YearMayer Brown was named M&A Advisory Firm of the Year at the Vietnam M&A Forum 2016, an event organized by the Vietnam Investment Review and AVM Vietnam and supported by the Vietnam Ministry of Planning and Investment.
In November 2016, Mayer Brown became the first organizational partner on the Employment Academy program when our London office employed a refugee from Iraq on a six-month work placement.
Décideurs (Decision Makers) Annual Trophées du Droit (Law Trophies)Two Mayer Brown practices have been recognized by leading French legal magazine Décideurs (Decision Makers) in its annual Trophées du Droit (Law Trophies) series for their handling of highly complex matters in 2017.
Global Capital's Derivatives AwardsMayer Brown was named European Law Firm of the Year in the transactions category at GlobalCapital’s annual Derivatives Awards 2017.
HR in Law Awards 2017 Mayer Brown’s global student talent attraction approach was named Best Trainee Recruitment Campaign at the 2017 HR in Law Awards.
International Financial Law Review Asia Awards 2017Mayer Brown was named Restructuring Team of the Year and was awarded Restructuring Deal of the Year at the International Financial Law Review Asia Awards 2017.
Latin Lawyer Names Mayer Brown and T&C Recommended FirmsMayer Brown and Tauil & Chequer have been named Recommended Firms in the 2017 edition of the Latin Lawyer 250, a guide to the region’s leading business law firms.
Legal 500 EMEA 2017Mayer Brown was ranked in 74 categories in the 2017 edition of Legal 500 Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA). Six of the rankings are top-tier.
MPF 2017 Mayer Brown won an MPF Award in the “Best Provision of Know-How for Clients” category for its employment law appA Global Guide to Background Checks.
Mayer Brown advised on three transactions named Deal of the Year by IJGlobal at its Americas Awards 2018.
The 2018 edition of Chambers UK ranked Mayer Brown in 28 practice categories, including five Band One rankings.
Mayer Brown's Washington DC office was named a “2018 Champion for Children” by Children’s Law Center, one of our Making the Case for Kids partners.
Mayer Brown was recognized in two categories at the HR in Law Awards 2018 in London.
GlobalCapital’s 2018 Americas Law Firm of the Year
Mayer Brown and Tauil & Chequer (T&C) in association with Mayer Brown advised on two transactions named “Deal of the Year” by IJ Global at its Americas Awards 2019.
The 2019 edition of Chambers UK recognized 42 Mayer Brown lawyers with 48 total rankings in 27 practice categories, including eight lawyers who achieved a total of eight Band One or higher rankings.
Mayer Brown earned a 100-percent score on the 2019 Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index (CEI) for the ninth consecutive year.
Asia Legal Awards 2019
FT Innovative Lawyers Europe 2019
GlobalCapital's 2019 Global Derivatives Awards
Mayer Brown received the Charity Partnerships, Legal award at the UK Business Charity Awards 2020.
For the seventh consecutive year, Mayer Brown and Tauil & Chequer (T&C) in association with Mayer Brown have been named “Recommended Firms” in the 2020 edition of the Latin Lawyer 250, the definitive guide to the leading business law firms of Latin America.
Mayer Brown is ranked in 64 practice categories in the 2020 edition of The Legal 500 United States, including 10 Tier One rankings
ALB Hong Kong Law Awards 2020
Asia Legal Awards 2020
GlobalCapital’s US Securitization Awards 2020
The team advised Trade and Development Bank of Mongolia in connection with the update and the issuance of US $500 million 9.375% notes due 2020 under its existing Global Medium Term Note Program.
With its sustainability focus, this landmark transaction was named "Securities Deal of the Year: Debt" at the Asia Legal Awards on May 5, 2021.
Mayer Brown is pleased to announce that Asian Legal Business (ALB) has named the firm an "Employer of Choice 2021" in the Hong Kong market.
Mayer Brown is listed in Global Restructuring Review’s 2021 GRR 100 guide to the world’s leading law firms for cross-border restructuring and insolvency work.
Mayer Brown is ranked in 45 practice categories in the 2021 edition of The Legal 500 UK, including four Tier One rankings.
Mayer Brown was named a Lex 100 2021 winner in seven categories.
Mayer Brown was named “Financial Facilitator of the Year” at the 2021 annual Trading Risk Awards held in London, which celebrate elite individual and team excellence within the convergence market.
ALB Hong Kong Law Awards 2021
Chambers Asia Pacific 2021
GlobalCapital Global Derivative Awards 2021
Mayer Brown has been ranked by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2022 in 40 categories.
2022 Mayer Brown opens an office in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Chambers Asia Pacific and Chambers Greater China Region 2022
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Mayer Brown competitors
| Company name | Founded date | Revenue | Employee size | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ropes & Gray | 1865 | $2.1B | 1,375 | 130 |
| Weil | 1931 | $1.4B | 1,700 | 25 |
| Kirkland & Ellis | 1909 | $4.8B | 5,721 | 68 |
| Debevoise & Plimpton | 1931 | $1.2B | 1,773 | 1 |
| Winston & Strawn | 1853 | $985.0M | 2,000 | 2 |
| McDermott Will & Emery | 1934 | $1.1B | 2,300 | 96 |
| Sullivan & Cromwell | 1879 | $1.1B | 1,931 | - |
| Latham & Watkins | 1934 | $4.3B | 3,000 | 1 |
| King & Spalding | 1885 | $1.3B | 1,927 | 30 |
| Dechert | 1875 | $1.3B | 1,782 | 25 |
Mayer Brown history FAQs
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