Pictured at the formal presentation of the law archives are (from left) Richard Szary, director of Manuscripts and Archives at Yale, Cadwalader, Wickersham and Taft law partners Donald G. Glascoff Jr. and Jay H. McDowell, and Scott Bennett, University Librarian. Throughout its long history, the law firm has represented some well-known personalities, such as members of the Vanderbilt family and playwright Eugene O'Neill.

Noted New York law firm donates historical records

Sterling Memorial Library is acquiring historical records dating back to 1803 donated by Cadwalader, Wickersham and Taft (CWT), the oldest continuously operating law firm in New York City. The gift was formally presented to the University on Sept. 26 by Don Glascoff (Class of 1967). Also on hand were CWT members Jonathan Wainwright (Class of 1965) and Jay McDowell (Class of 1959). The materials, which will go to Sterling's Manuscripts and Archives Department, include documents from Henry W. Taft (Class of 1880), brother of William Howard Taft (Class of 1878), the 27th U.S. president and 10th chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court; Walbridge S. Taft (Class of 1907), Henry's son; Cornelius W. Wickersham Sr.; Charles E. Strong; John L. Cadwalader; and George W. Wickersham. The firm's client list included members of New York's foremost families such as the Astors, Belmonts, Whitneys and Vanderbilts. The firm also represented many artists, such as songwriter W.C. Handy and playwright Eugene O'Neill. The latter's materials are part of the collections at the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library. Considered one of the world's premier law firms, CWT was founded in New York City in 1792 as a one-person law firm serving the needs of a largely agrarian nation. In 1818, founder John Wells formed a partnership with George Washington Strong (Class of 1803), a prominent member of New York society. After the partners' deaths (Wells in 1823 and Strong in 1855), Strong's descendants continued the firm along with other attorneys . By 1878, Charles Strong headed the firm, representing the leading business, social and cultural organizations of the day. That same year, John L. Cadwalader, a former assistant secretary of state, joined Strong, catapulting Strong and Cadwalader into the ranks of firms representing major corporations. George W. Wickersham, an antitrust expert, joined Cadwalader in 1883, while Henry W. Taft joined in 1889. The firm officially became known as Cadwalader, Wickersham and Taft in 1914. Today, CWT has over 400 attorneys with offices in New York, Charlotte, Washington, D.C. and London. In addition to directly documenting the legal profession and the growth of corporate law firms, CWT's records offer insight into the economic and social history of New York City in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Totaling over 300 boxes, the files include bound suit registers recording the steps taken in litigated cases, real estate registers, financial ledgers and charge records, client files, general firm administrative records and correspondence, and partners' correspondence and scrapbooks. The materials will become part of the the Manuscripts and Archives Department's collections of personal and professional papers documenting American legal history, joining such notable collections as the papers of Alexander Bickel, Abe Fortas, Jerome Frank, Potter Stewart and Harry Weinberger. The Manuscripts and Archives Department promotes and sustains the research and teaching missions of Yale, and serves as the document repository of the Yale community by making its collections of primary source materials available for study. The resources and services of Manuscripts and Archives are available to all members of the Yale community, as well as researchers from outside the University. -- By Thomas R. Violante T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S Stanford's ex-president named successor trustee of Corporation Yale to help build database for nurses on World Wide Web 'Greening of America' author to present lecture series Renowned Russian dissident to read poetry, screen film as Chubb Fellow Noted New York law firm donates historical records ENDOWED PROFESSORSHIPS Adela Collins named Buckingham Professor John Collins named Holmes Professor 'Love and Loss' recalls popularity of portrait miniatures Reading, song recital pay tribute to Longfellow MEDICAL CENTER NEWS Study: Stress can expand waistlines of otherwise thin women Test results don't reveal whole picture of patients' needs, says cardiologist Conference focused on women's health American Academy of Nursing elects YSN's Funk as fellow Event celebrates multi-faceted achievements of John Dryden Symposium explores past and future of medical ethics CONCERTS ON CAMPUS U.S. Air Force Band's mission is to entertain Jazz trumpeter will perform and teach Music series kicks off with famed Chinese pianist Hartman elected to prestigious British Academy 'Gilder Lehrman Center awards second Frederick Douglass Prize MEMORIAL SERVICES Mary T. Reynolds, expert on James Joyce, . . . dies E. Robert Beringer E. Turan Onat ASCAP honors five faculty from School of Music Figure Skating Club begins fall program at Ingalls Rink Yale Scoreboard In the News Bulletin Home|Visiting on Campus| Calendar of Events|Bulletin Board Classified Ads|Search Archives|Production Schedule|Bulletin Staff Public Affairs Home|News Releases| E-Mail Us|Yale Home Page