L-R: Gary N. Stewart, John C. McMeekin II, and Robert A. Fitch of Rawle & Henderson.

History of the Firm

Rawle & Henderson is a Mid-Atlantic regional law firm of over 100 attorneys engaged in the defense of civil trial litigation. The hallmark of the firm's success has been its ability to adapt to the changing legal landscape. The American Bar Association has recognized Rawle & Henderson as the oldest law firm in continuous practice in the United States.

The firm's founder, William Rawle, established the Rawle Law Offices in Philadelphia in 1783 and quickly took his place among Philadelphia's legal elite. Rawle was a member of the American Philosophical Society, a trustee of the University of Pennsylvania, president of the Pennsylvania Abolition Society, founder and president of the Pennsylvania Historical Society, and counsel for the First Bank of the United States. His reputation as a lawyer vaulted him into the position of delegate to the Pennsylvania Constitutional Assembly of 1789. His public service continued when he accepted President George Washington's request to become the first U.S. Attorney for the District of Pennsylvania in 1791. Rawle became the first chancellor of the newly founded Philadelphia Bar Association in 1822, and remained in that position until his death. In 1913, the firm became known as Rawle & Henderson with the addition of Joseph Henderson. In the 1920s, Henderson expanded the maritime practice of the firm, a practice that Rawle & Henderson continues to this day. Henderson became the president of the American Bar Association in 1943 and served on the Board of Philadelphia City Trusts.

Gradually Rawle & Henderson expanded in size to meet changing legal demands in Pennsylvania. From its formation in 1783, the firm has practiced maritime law, but by the early 1900s, trusts and estates, casualty insurance and industrial litigation were added as manufacturing, industry and transportation expanded. By the 1950s, the firm had added more lawyers and handled aviation, products liability, workers' compensation and medical malpractice litigation. By the early 1980s, the firm had 56 attorneys and focused on general litigation, maritime, products liability, medical professional liability, commercial litigation and asbestos litigation.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Rawle & Henderson expanded into more practice areas in an attempt to become a “full-service” law firm, but this strategy did not result in attorney growth.

The firm's leadership remained committed to growing again, and today the firm has over 100 attorneys. Rawle & Henderson's practice areas now include products liability, insurance coverage, environmental torts, commercial motor vehicle defense, casualty and premises liability, health care and professional malpractice, employment law, commercial litigation and transactions, workers' compensation, maritime and aviation. The firm is committed to renewing its capacity to meet the needs of the new millennium and the changing legal marketplace.

Rawle & Henderson is also committed to diversity in the workplace at all levels, including partners, associates, paralegals and staff. The firm has participated and sponsored diversity-promoting events with the American Bar Association, Philadelphia Bar Association and local universities and colleges. Rawle & Henderson is committed to increasing its diversity. We have consistently ranked high in diversity in recent PaLaw Magazine's Annual Reports on the Legal Profession, with a high percentage of female and minority attorneys.

The firm has three Pennsylvania offices, in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Harrisburg. In addition, there are offices in New Jersey (Marlton), New York (New York City, Long Island), Delaware (Wilmington) and West Virginia (Wheeling). The firm's lawyers continue to practice law in the best tradition of its founders and leaders, and maintain a dedication to the highest standards of the legal profession.

Legal Landscape

Rawle & Henderson has evolved over its long history to meet changing legal demands in Pennsylvania. Rawle & Henderson's expansion over the last 50 years is similar to how other firms have expanded in Pennsylvania. Manufacturing, industry, transportation, health care and technology have grown and become more complex, creating the need for a legal marketplace that can handle increasing caseloads in these areas. Consequently, more Pennsylvania law firms have formed and they have grown in size. The need for specialized attorneys devoted to specific practice areas has become common. This has all led to the highly competitive legal marketplace of today.

The Legal Intelligencer's Role Within the Community

The Legal Intelligencer has consistently provided an indispensable source of legal news for Pennsylvanians. With unbiased reporting and detailed case accounts, attorneys and the public can look to The Legal Intelligencer as a trusted publication that provides the latest news and trends in Pennsylvania litigation. Rawle & Henderson is celebrating its 235th year of continuous legal service in 2018. As the oldest law firm in the United States, we have great admiration for the fact that the Legal Intelligencer is the oldest daily law journal published in the United States. We celebrate your 175th anniversary and trust that your publication will continue to inform the public for years to come.

John C. McMeekin II is a partner in the Philadelphia office of Rawle & Henderson and a member of the firm's executive committee. He represents clients as local, national and trial counsel in environmental, toxic and mass torts, product and related class actions, products liability, insurance coverage. 

Gary N. Stewart is a partner in the Harrisburg office of Rawle & Henderson and a member of the firm's executive committee. He focuses his practice on the defense of the trucking industry, specifically commercial motor vehicles and the companies that insure them, and is privileged to represent most of the motor carriers and their drivers seen on our highways.

Robert A. Fitch is the resident partner in Rawle & Henderson's New York City office and is a member of the firm's executive committee. He concentrates his practice in the defense of architects and engineers, construction, medical and oral surgery malpractice claims, and commercial motor vehicle litigation.