But other firms have been in the frame – from New York firm Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft had described itself as the nation’s oldest firm until it was proven otherwise. Howard, Kohn, Sprague & FitzGerald also claimed the title despite being formed three years after Rawle, saying it is the oldest continuously operating firm. Howard Kohn maintains that Rawles & Henderson stopped operating while its lawyers served in the military, a fact disputed by Rawles.
Too many lawyers in London in 1783
The firm was opened in 1783 by William Rawle who had studied law in London during the Revolutionary War but wanted to go back to the America as the London legal market was over-populated with lawyers and there was no prospect of finding work. A well connected man, he counted Benjamin Franklin amongst his friends .
The firm, which has had its share of difficulties over the years, is now one of Philadelphia’s most profitable firms with profits of 38 per cent on $40 million in revenue. Source: Claimsjournal.com
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