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Rawle & Henderson records
Rawle & Henderson, in 1983, was recognized by the United States Senate as “the oldest law firm in continuous practice in United States.” It was founded in 1783 by William Rawle (1759-1836) under the name Rawle Law Offices. Various members of the Rawle family headed the firm throughout the 180...
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| Collection: | Rawle & Henderson Records |
| Collection Number: | 3109 |
| Format: | Manuscript |
| Language: | English |
| Online Access: | Link to finding aid |
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| Physical Description: |
9.7 Linear feet 9.7 linear feet, 63 volumes |
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| Summary: |
Rawle & Henderson, in 1983, was recognized by the United States Senate as “the oldest law firm in continuous practice in United States.” It was founded in 1783 by William Rawle (1759-1836) under the name Rawle Law Offices. Various members of the Rawle family headed the firm throughout the 1800s, including Rawle’s sons and grandsons. In 1913, the firm became know as Rawle and Henderson with the addition of Joseph W. Henderson; he became a full partner in 1917. The firm recently celebrated its 225th anniversary and continues as one of the region’s leading practices, particularly in the admiralty and maritime law.
The Rawle & Henderson collection consists of sixty-three law books kept by the firm, the earliest dating to 1800. There are published reports by William Rawle Jr. of cases heard by state Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, as well as copies of the Laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 1700-1805. Additional volumes include “Paper Books” that contain reports and papers from specific cases worked by Rawle & Henderson from the 1920s to the 1950s, including several that involved the National Labor Relations Board. There are also three miscellaneous books, including a copy of American Maritime Cases (1932), for which Joseph Henderson served as an associate editor. |