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APR 07 - APR 14, 2015

Hodgson Russ Traces its History Through Nearly 200 Years

April 07, 2015

Millard Fillmore, a former partner of firm's predecessor.
Grover Cleveland started with the firm and became president
Partner Nathan K. Hall leads creation of Buffalo's public school system, the first tuition-free, tax-supported public school system in New York State.

The firm's website, www.hodgsonruss.com lists some of the firm's accomplishments over the span of nearly 200 years. Two US presidents were partners, and the firm, along with its predecessor firms, which merged with it, became a sterling part of the legal history of a young and growing America, evolving into an industrial giant and into the behemoth world power.

 

We take the liberty of freely borrowing from their website inasmuch as perhaps most of our readers, especially those who are taxpayers in Niagara Falls, may be unaware of the heady history of the law firm known today as Hodgson Russ which is representing their interests on a host of legal matters.

 

1817

Hodgson Russ's earliest predecessor firm is established in Buffalo, New York, by Asa Rice.

 

1825

In effort led by firm founder Asa Rice, the western terminus of the Erie Canal is completed in Buffalo.

 

1832

Buffalo incorporated as a city; firm partners Joseph Clary and Millard G. Fillmore draft first city charter.

 

1834

Millard G. Fillmore joins with Nathan K. Hall and Solomon G. Haven to form Hodgson Russ' predecessor firm, Fillmore, Hall & Haven.

 

1838

Partner Nathan K. Hall leads creation of Buffalo's public school system, the first tuition-free, tax-supported public school system in New York State.

 

1844

Wells Fargo, the country's first express transportation company, is formed in Buffalo with legal assistance from partner John G. Milburn.

 

1846

Partners Millard G. Fillmore and Nathan K. Hall obtain a charter for the University at Buffalo, then a private educational institution; Fillmore names the university's first chancellor.

 

1850

After the death of U.S. President Zachary Taylor, Millard Fillmore is sworn in as the 13th president of the United States.

 

1851

Former partner Solomon G. Haven elected to the U.S. House of Representatives

 

1855

Grover Cleveland accepts a clerkship at the firm.

 

1856

Partner Dennis Bowen serves as general counsel to the predecessor of M&T Bank.

 

1859

Grover Cleveland, still at the firm, is admitted to the bar.

 

1868

Partner Franklin D. Locke joins the firm, and its name is changed to Bowen, Rogers & Locke.

 

1879

Partners Franklin D. Locke and Louis L. Babcock begin firm's successful representation of Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad in 37-year litigation against the federal government concerning rights to Buffalo Harbor's North Pier.

 

Mid-19th century

William Fargo, a national pioneer in the transportation business, is represented by the firm to establish and expand enterprises that included Wells Fargo and American Express Company.

 

Mid-19th century

The firm represents major manufacturers, including Washburn Crosby Company (which later became part of General Mills), Birge Wallpaper Company, Lang Brewery, and James Dold Meatpackers.

 

1885

Former partner Grover Cleveland is elected the 22nd president of the United States.

 

1886

John G. Milburn and Franklin D. Locke represent the editor of the New York Evening Post in five-year libel case brought by the Reverend George Harvey Ball following election campaign of President Grover Cleveland.

 

1901

Partner John G. Milburn's efforts to bring the Pan-American Exposition (World's Fair) to Buffalo; President William McKinley is assassinated during the fair and dies at Milburn's house.

 

1903

Flour company Washburn Crosby, whose later merger formed General Mills, opens new flour mill in Buffalo; transaction handled by partner Louis L. Babcock.

 

1911

Representing John D. Rockefeller, partner John G. Milburn argues before the U.S. Supreme Court in seminal anti-trust case, United States v. Standard Oil Company.

 

1916

Partner Charles B. Sears appointed to bench, serving successively as justice of the New York State Supreme Court, presiding justice of the Appellate Division, Fourth Department, and later judge of the Court of Appeals.

 

1917

Hoyt & Spratt merges with Rogers, Locke & Babcock; firm name changes to Locke, Babcock, Spratt & Hollister.

 

1945

Hodgson, Russ, Andrews, Woods & Goodyear is formed

 

1945

Former partner Charles B. Sears serves as presiding judge during one of the Nuremberg trials of German war criminals following the end of World War II.

 

1962

Hodgson Russ represents the University at Buffalo as it becomes part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system; firm also helps the University at Buffalo Foundation receive its charter.

 

1964-68

Partners Hugh M. Russ II and H. Kenneth Schroeder successfully defend major insurance companies against suits by homeowners seeking to recover damages they claimed resulted from blasting by New York Power Authority resulting from development of hydroelectric power at Niagara Falls.

 

1986

Former partner Barber Conable appointed 7th president of the World Bank.

 

 

 

 

 

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