Sullivan & Cromwell
Sullivan & Cromwell is a legendary law firm known for representing powerful industrial interests such as Exxon and Mobil, both owned by Rockefeller.
Founding
Sullivan & Cromwell was founded by Algernon Sydney Sullivan and William Nelson Cromwell in 1879. From its earliest involvement in the formation of Edison General Electric Company in 1882, United States Steel Corporation in 1901, and the Panama Canal, to its present work with leaders of the global economy in the 21st century, the firm has been closely involved in the affairs of some of America's greatest industrial, commercial and financial enterprises.
1929-1969
The Great Depression and its aftermath reoriented much of Wall Street, and Sullivan & Cromwell was called on to assist clients in confronting a burst of government involvement in business affairs and a new wave of business-related litigation. During this period the firm developed its expertise in defending shareholder derivative litigation and antitrust actions, and was among the first law firms to develop expertise in the field of federal income tax law. A series of new federal statutes, beginning with the Securities Act of 1933, was enacted to regulate the investment industry, and Sullivan & Cromwell prepared the first major registration statement under the Securities Act. The firm's substantial involvement in, and important contributions to, securities offerings and securities regulation have continued since that time. During and after World War II individual members of the firm, including partners such as John Foster Dulles and Arthur Dean, also played important roles in domestic politics and international affairs.
1970-2004
During the past three decades Sullivan & Cromwell has grown gradually in measured response to the increasing volume and complexity of their clients' affairs, developing leading practices in areas such as mergers and acquisitions, banking regulation, real estate finance, derivatives and private equity. The firm's work in cross-border capital flows has continued, including substantial involvement in foreign direct investment and project finance, the development of the Euro- and other global capital markets, and the financial flows to Asia and Latin America. As the expansion of the scope and nature of the firm's practice required Sullivan & Cromwell to have lawyers in locations more convenient to clients, domestic branches were opened in Washington, D.C in 1977, Los Angeles in 1984 and Palo Alto in 2000. Overseas, the Paris office, closed during World War II, was reopened in 1962, and offices were opened in London in 1972, Melbourne in 1983, Tokyo in 1987, Hong Kong in 1992, Frankfurt in 1995, Beijing in 1999 and Sydney in 2001. According to law.com, Sullivan & Cromwell was the 15th largest law firm in the world with a gross revenue of $687,000,000 in 2003. It is rank as the 3rd most presitigious law firm by Vault.com behind Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, and Cravath, Swaine & Moore.
Prominent Lawyers and Practice Groups
A number of the firm's lawyers have received high ratings by the prestigious Chambers and Partners. The firm itself has received high ratings in a variety of practice areas including: Antitrust, Arbitration, Banking & Finance, Capital Markets, Litigation, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Income Tax.
See alsoThomson Financial League Tables
External Links Sullivan & Cromwell's website
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