Rogers & Wells
Encyclopedia
Rogers & Wells was a New-York based international law firm
founded in 1873. After several name changes, it was renamed for William P. Rogers
and John A. Wells
. The firm was well known for its litigation arm (second largest in New York City
after white shoe
establishment firm Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
). It also had an active capital markets and international finance
practice, where its main client was Merrill Lynch
. The firm at its peak embraced approximately 400 attorneys and maintained offices in New York, Washington, D.C.
, Los Angeles
, Paris
, London
, Hong Kong
, and Frankfurt. In 2000, the firm merged with London-based Clifford Chance
. The firm practiced as Clifford Chance Roger & Wells in the Americas until 2003, when the use of the legacy U.S. firm's name was discontinued. Just before and immediately after the merger, several high-profile partners decamped for other firms including New York rival Kaye Scholer. The Paris outpost joined Kramer Levin.
Law firm
A law firm is a business entity formed by one or more lawyers to engage in the practice of law. The primary service rendered by a law firm is to advise clients about their legal rights and responsibilities, and to represent clients in civil or criminal cases, business transactions, and other...
founded in 1873. After several name changes, it was renamed for William P. Rogers
William P. Rogers
William Pierce Rogers was an American politician, who served as a Cabinet officer in the administrations of two U.S. Presidents in the third quarter of the 20th century.-Early Life :...
and John A. Wells
John A. Wells
Jack Wells was a corporate lawyer at the law firm Royall, Koegel & Wells, a firm that later became Rogers & WellsIn 1972, SEC Chairman William J. Casey appointed him to a committee to review and evaluate the Commission’s enforcement policies and practices...
. The firm was well known for its litigation arm (second largest in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
after white shoe
White shoe firm
White shoe firm is a phrase used to describe the leading professional services firms in the United States, particularly firms that have been in existence for more than a century and represent Fortune 500 companies...
establishment firm Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is a law firm headquartered in New York City which employs over 800 attorneys in ten offices worldwide. The firm is highly regarded for its litigation and corporate practices, with special attention focused on its mergers and acquisitions specialty...
). It also had an active capital markets and international finance
International finance
International finance is the branch of economics that studies the dynamics of exchange rates, foreign investment, global financial system, and how these affect international trade. It also studies international projects, international investments and capital flows, and trade deficits. It includes...
practice, where its main client was Merrill Lynch
Merrill Lynch
Merrill Lynch is the wealth management division of Bank of America. With over 15,000 financial advisors and $2.2 trillion in client assets it is the world's largest brokerage. Formerly known as Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., prior to 2009 the firm was publicly owned and traded on the New York...
. The firm at its peak embraced approximately 400 attorneys and maintained offices in New York, Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, and Frankfurt. In 2000, the firm merged with London-based Clifford Chance
Clifford Chance
Clifford Chance LLP is a global law firm headquartered in London, United Kingdom and a member of the 'Magic Circle' of leading UK law firms. It is one of the ten largest law firms in the world measured by both number of lawyers and revenue...
. The firm practiced as Clifford Chance Roger & Wells in the Americas until 2003, when the use of the legacy U.S. firm's name was discontinued. Just before and immediately after the merger, several high-profile partners decamped for other firms including New York rival Kaye Scholer. The Paris outpost joined Kramer Levin.
Notable alumni
- Kenneth ChenaultKenneth ChenaultKenneth Irvine Chenault is an American business executive. He has been the CEO and Chairman of American Express since 2001. He is the third African-American CEO of a Fortune 500 company.-Early life, education, and legal career:...
, CEO of American ExpressAmerican ExpressAmerican Express Company or AmEx, is an American multinational financial services corporation headquartered in Three World Financial Center, Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States. Founded in 1850, it is one of the 30 components of the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The company is best... - Victor F. Ganzi, CEO of HearstHearstHearst may refer to:People* Amanda Hearst* Garrison Hearst, NFL running back* George Hearst* George Randolph Hearst, Jr.* Hunter Hearst Helmsley, WWE professional wrestler* John Randolph Hearst* Lydia Hearst-Shaw* Michael Hearst* Millicent Hearst...
- William P. RogersWilliam P. RogersWilliam Pierce Rogers was an American politician, who served as a Cabinet officer in the administrations of two U.S. Presidents in the third quarter of the 20th century.-Early Life :...
, US Secretary of State, 1969–1973 - Kenneth C. Royall, US Secretary of the Army, 1947–1949
- Eugene Rossides, founder of the American Hellenic Institute and its affiliate, the American Hellenic Institute Public Affairs CommitteeAmerican Hellenic Institute Public Affairs CommitteeThe American Hellenic Institute Public Affairs Committee, or AHIPAC is an organization created by the American Hellenic Institute in 1975 to strengthen US-Greece and US-Cyprus relations, as well as relations within Hellenic-American community...