About Us: History

Sharply focused on our clients, McGuireWoods ensures that all of the firm's actions are based on what will best benefit our clients. Tracing the firm's roots back to 1834, McGuireWoods has a long history of growth through mergers with predecessor firms in existing markets, as well as client-centered expansion into new markets. Working with clients to develop these strategies, we are able to keep pace with their changing needs – helping them meet their goals. This has been our philosophy for nearly 175 years, and it continues to direct our endeavors as we look toward the future. The following dates illustrate the vibrant and thoughtful growth of McGuireWoods since our inception nearly two centuries ago.

2009

On May 1, Grundberg Mocatta Rakison LLP, a 25+ lawyer London-based law firm, merged with McGuireWoods LLP, greatly expanding our international presence. GMR was a cross-border firm with substantial experience in international and domestic corporate and commercial law, corporate finance, private equity and banking, property, employment law, litigation and private client work, and private and corporate tax matters. In addition to being qualified as solicitors in England and Wales, GMR lawyers are qualified in Denmark, Finland, Georgia, Kazakhstan, New York, Norway, Russian Federation, Sweden, Uzbekistan, Washington, D.C., and Wisconsin. 

2008

On April 1, Helms Mulliss & Wicker, PLLC, a 145-attorney Charlotte, N.C.-based law firm, merged with McGuireWoods LLP, expanding our presence and enhancing our capabilities in the area. Helms Mulliss was established in Charlotte in 1922, and also has offices in Raleigh and Wilmington.

2006

On April 1, Van Etten Suzumoto & Becket LLP, a 40-attorney Los Angeles-based law firm, merged with McGuireWoods LLP, expanding our Los Angeles office and enhancing our capabilities on the West Coast. Van Etten Suzumoto & Becket recently moved from Santa Monica to new offices in Century City, to accommodate its rapid growth. For several years, McGuireWoods and Van Etten Suzumoto & Becket have worked together in client engagements.

On January 31, Gordon & Glickson LLC, a Chicago-based law firm internationally known for its 25-year history of serving the information technology marketplace, merged with McGuireWoods LLP, expanding our Chicago office and strengthening our national technology and business practice.

2003

On July 1, the firm of Ross & Hardies, a 155-lawyer firm with offices in Chicago and New York City, merged with McGuireWoods LLP as part of McGuireWoods' ongoing expansion goals for Chicago and New York. 

2001

In January, the firm of Sable Pusateri Rosen Gordon & Adams, LLC, a 17-lawyer business law firm in Pittsburgh, merged with McGuireWoods LLP.

Also in January, 12 lawyers from Martin, Ade, Birchfield & Mickler, P.A. joined McGuireWoods LLP’s Jacksonville office.

2000

In the first quarter of 2000, McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe LLP opened an office in Pittsburgh.

In July of 2000, McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe LLP changed its name to McGuireWoods LLP – a change reflective of the firm’s commitment to redefine the traditional role of law firms by providing innovative legal and consulting solutions.

1999

In August, the lawyers from Roberts, Isaf & Summers joined McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe LLP’s Atlanta office.

On October 1, the seven lawyers from Mack & McLean – a well-established labor and employment boutique in Atlanta – also joined McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe LLP’s Atlanta office.

McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe LLP opened an office in New York City.

1998

The Charlotte firm of Blakeney & Alexander merged with McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe LLP, creating McGuireWoods’ first North Carolina office.

McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe LLP merged with the Jacksonville firm of Mahoney Adams & Criser, increasing the firm’s presence in Florida.

McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe LLP opened offices in Chicago and Atlanta.

1997

McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe LLP formed the wholly owned subsidiary McGuire Woods Battle & Boothe LLP International to meet the growing demands of its overseas practice.

1994

McGuire, Woods, Battle, & Boothe LLP opened an office in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe LLP opened an office in Jacksonville, Florida.

1991

The Baltimore law firm of Cable, McDaniel, Bowie & Bond merged with McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe LLP to add McGuireWoods’ first Maryland office.

1990

McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe LLP opened its first overseas office in Brussels, Belgium.

1987

Boothe Prichard and Dudley merged with McGuire Woods & Battle to form McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe, with offices in Alexandria, Charlottesville, Tysons Corner, Norfolk, Richmond and Washington.

1984

McGuire Woods & Battle opened an office in Washington – its first office outside Virginia.

1980

McGuire Woods & Battle opened an office in Norfolk, Virginia.

1971

Boothe Dudley merged with Bauknight Prichard McCandlish to form Boothe Prichard and Dudley in Northern Virginia.

1966

Battle Neal Harris Minor and Williams merged with McGuire Woods King Davis and Patterson to form McGuire Woods & Battle, with offices in Richmond and Charlottesville.

1961

Bremner Neal Harris Williams and Battle merged with Perkins Battle and Minor to form Battle Neal Harris Minor and Williams, with offices in Richmond and Charlottesville.

1956

Blakeney & Alexander was founded in Charlotte, through the merger of the law practices of Whiteford S. Blakeney and J.W. Alexander, Jr.

1893

Gardner L. Boothe began his law practice in Alexandria, Virginia. That practice evolved into Boothe Dudley Koontz and Boothe by 1952. By 1964, the name became Boothe Dudley Koontz Blankenship and Stump.

1834

Egbert R. Watson began his law practice in Charlottesville, and formed a partnership in 1870 with George Perkins.

In 1936, this firm became Perkins Battle and Minor.