Sarah E. Bouchard and Timothy W. Levin of Morgan Lewis & Bockius

One institution practices law, and the other reports on it. And for 145 years and counting, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius and The Legal Intelligencer have each influenced and shaped the city of Philadelphia and its legal community.

As the legal newspaper of record since 1843, The Legal Intelligencer has chronicled the practice of law through changes as small as an accomplished lawyer moving her practice from one Philadelphia firm to another to as seismic as women getting the right to vote, the end of World War II, and the ongoing impacts of technology and globalization on the practice of law. Similarly, as one of Philadelphia's oldest law firms, Morgan Lewis has transformed itself from two general practitioners in 1873 to an international law firm that today employs 1,124 people in the Philadelphia region alone.

Although the world is far different than it was in the 19th century, the two institutions' commitment to Philadelphia and their Pennsylvania roots is stronger than ever.

Taking Pride in our Hometown

At the dawn of the 20th century, Morgan Lewis had six lawyers who worked out of a single office. Today, with more than 2,000 lawyers in 30 offices on four continents, it is one of the largest law firms in the world. But Philadelphia remains home to 275 Morgan Lewis lawyers and a significant number of the firm's leaders. In addition to contributing to the local economy through jobs, Morgan Lewis remains committed to the city.

For one full week in June, for example, lawyers and staff participate in the firm's annual Community Impact Week, which provides an opportunity for personnel across Morgan Lewis's 30 offices to volunteer together through numerous community service and pro bono events. On June 9, some 240 lawyers, professional staff, and family and friends met at Morgan Lewis's Philadelphia office at 17th and Market streets before fanning out all over the city to volunteer at Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia, Woodstock Family Center, St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, the Neighborhood Bike Works program, Benjamin B. Comegys Elementary School, and ACHIEVEability. Additionally, each year Morgan Lewis lawyers contribute close to 15,000 pro bono hours to local organizations and clients in the Philadelphia region, which translates to more than $5 million in legal services.

This sustained level of involvement over the years is a product of Morgan Lewis's pride and investment in Philadelphia. The hometown sentiment rings just as true when a Philadelphia sports team is in the playoffs or the city hosts prominent women for the annual Pennsylvania Women's Conference. Born and raised here, Morgan Lewis is unabashedly Philly proud.

Telling Morgan Lewis' Story for Decades

The Legal Intelligencer has often been first to report on Morgan Lewis' noteworthy news. In a 2005 article about the firm's expansion on the West Coast, the paper reported that Morgan Lewis “now has 148 lawyers in the Bay Area—more than most out-of-town firms.” On Oct. 2, 2013, the paper covered the firm's notable election of Jami McKeon as chair and also pointed out that Morgan Lewis had bucked “the recent trend of Philadelphia firms moving their leadership outside the city.”

Earlier this year, The Legal Intelligencer published a moving obituary for the late Stephen Goodman, a Morgan Lewis partner who was widely credited with creating Philadelphia's emerging business industry. “The sobriquet 'visionary' is probably overused in remembrances of longstanding influential figures,” the obituary read, “but it is nearly an understatement when applied to Goodman, the unrivaled conceptual architect of Philadelphia's startup and tech sectors.” The Legal Intelligencer knows its audience. By virtue of the paper's long history covering Philadelphia lawyers and law firms, its editors appreciated the impact Goodman had on Philadelphia's startup community and covered his passing with respect and context. We are deeply appreciative.

Finally, Philadelphia lawyers and business leaders count on The Legal Intelligencer to identify and honor the movers and shakers who have made tremendous contributions to Pennsylvania and the legal community. We are proud that several of them have represented Morgan Lewis. Marc Sonnenfeld, the firm's longest-tenured partner, received The Legal Intelligencer's coveted 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award, while litigation partner Zane Memeger was recognized that same year as a Distinguished Leader in the law. Moreover, throughout the years dozens of our lawyers have been named to the paper's popular “Lawyers on the Fast Track” list, including, in May, labor and employment partner Klair Fitzpatrick.

Today, the need for a respected daily legal newspaper with global perspective but local connection is critical. With the 24-hour news cycle and an increasingly heightened regulatory landscape, Philadelphia's legal community is lucky to be home to the nation's oldest legal newspaper. From one Philadelphia institution to another, we congratulate The Legal Intelligencer on its 175th birthday and are thankful for its contributions throughout the years.

Sarah E. Bouchard, a partner at Morgan Lewis & Bockius, litigates highly sensitive and complex harassment, whistleblower, noncompetition, and trade secret matters across the United States. As co-leader of the firm's whistleblower group, she routinely handles litigation and litigation avoidance related to regulatory issues under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, Dodd-Frank Act, False Claims Act, and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

Timothy W. Levin, a partner with the firm, counsels clients on the design, development and management of pooled investment vehicles and investment advisory programs. He also advises fund managers in connection with organization, registration, and ongoing regulatory compliance. He is the managing partner of the firm's Philadelphia office.