Ropes & Gray history

In 1899 the firm changed its name to Ropes Gray & Gorham with the departure of Loring to become a justice of the Commonwealth Supreme Judicial Court and the addition of Robert Gorham as the new name partner.

The firm continued to grow in the early 20th century, reaching 11 lawyers and 15 staff personnel in 1910.

Like many other law firms, it developed a labor practice by representing companies that dealt with increased union strength after Congress passed the National Labor Relations Act in 1935.

The Arnold Arboretum controversy, started in 1946, engaged Ropes & Gray for 20 years.

After many years of occupying the top floors at 50 Federal Street, in 1965 the firm moved from its old inadequate offices to its new headquarters at the State Street Bank Building at 225 Franklin Street.

1981: Washington, D.C. office is opened on January 1.

Signature in 1993 had received a patent for its 'Hub and Spoke' financial software.

Ropes & Gray also represented the chemical industry's Coalition for Effective Environmental Information in dealings with the Environmental Protection Agency, other regulatory bodies, and various private environmental groups. For example, in 1998 the Environmental Defense Fund opened its Chemical Scorecard web site, which proved very popular.

2000: Firm establishes a New York office.

Operating from offices in Boston, New York, Providence, and Washington, D.C., plus a London conference center, Ropes & Gray in 2001 faced numerous challenges.