Duane Morris
 | This article may rely excessively on sources too closely associated with the subject, potentially preventing it from being verifiable and neutral. (April 2022) |
 | |
| Headquarters | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| No. of offices | 29 |
| No. of attorneys | 742 (2025) |
| Major practice areas | General practice |
| Key people | Matthew A. Taylor (Chair) Charles J. O'Donnell (COO) |
| Revenue |  US$758,380,000 (2025)[1] |
| Profit per equity partner | US$1,682,000 (2025)[1] |
| Date founded | 1904 |
| Founder |
|
| Company type | Limited liability partnership |
| Website | duanemorris |
Duane Morris LLP is a law firm headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The firm was founded in 1904 as Duane, Morris, Heckscher, & Roberts,[2] and has offices in the United States, London, Singapore, Shanghai, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Australia.[3]
Ranking and recognition
[edit]In 2026, U.S. News & World Report recognized Duane Morris as one of the 'Best Companies to Work for' in the Law Firms category and awarded the firm top-tier national rankings in bankruptcy and creditor debtor rights/insolvency and reorganization law, construction law and litigation, employee benefits law, health care law, immigration, insurance, patent law and venture capital law.[4]
In 2025, the Am Law 200 ranked Duane Morris as the 82nd largest law firm in the United States based on gross revenue.[5] The firm was ranked 74th in the U.S. based on size by the National Law Journal's 2025 NLJ 500 ranking.[5]
Growth
[edit]Chair Sheldon Bonovitz stepped down at the beginning of January 2008 and was replaced by former Vice Chair John J. Soroko.[6] Soroko became chairman emeritus in 2017 when Matthew A. Taylor took over as chairman and CEO.[7][8]
As of 2026, the firm had about 750 attorneys across 29 offices.[9] [10][non-primary source needed]
In February 2020, Duane Morris merged with Satterlee Stephens.[11]
Notable cases and deals
[edit]- Markman v. Westview Instruments, Inc.: Duane Morris represented the plaintiff Markman in a patent infringement lawsuit.[12]
- Tobacco Industry Litigation: Duane Morris and the Pittsburgh law firm of Buchanan Ingersoll represented the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in a 46-state class action lawsuit against the tobacco industry. The litigation concluded in 1998 with a $206 billion global settlement agreement for the 46 suing states.[13][14][15]
Notable alumni
[edit]- Barbara Adams, general counsel of Pennsylvania, under Governor Rendell
- Michael Baylson, federal judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- Roland S. Morris, former United States Ambassador to Japan, one of the founding partners of the firm
- Gene E. K. Pratter, federal judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- Marjorie Rendell, circuit judge in the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- Mark Singel, lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania from 1987 to 1995. Joined the firm in 2000 after leaving public service and left to start his own firm in 2005.
References
[edit]- 1 2 "Duane Morris". Law.com. ALM Global, LLC. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
- ↑ "Past and Present". Duane Morris. 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
- ↑ "Offices". Duane Morris. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
- ↑ "Duane Morris LLP". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
- 1 2 "Duane Morris". law.com. Retrieved 2025-11-03.
- ↑ Cassens Weiss, Debra (4 January 2008). "Bonovitz Steps Down as Duane Morris Chair". ABA Journal. Retrieved 26 November 2025.
- ↑ Cineas, Fabiola (2017-09-18). "Meet Duane Morris's Next Chairman and CEO". Philadelphia Magazine. Retrieved 2025-11-26.
- ↑ Tascarella, Patty (18 September 2017). "Duane Morris plans change at the top in January". Houston Business Journal. Retrieved 2025-11-26.
- ↑ "Duane Morris". Law.com. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
- ↑ "About Duane Morris". Duane Morris. 2013. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
- ↑ Blumenthal, Jeff. "Duane Morris putting new pieces in place after closing New York merger". Philadelphia Business Journal. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
- ↑ "Duane Morris LLP - Intellectual Property- Related Matters". Archived from the original on 8 December 2008.
- ↑ National Association of Attorneys General, Master Settlement Agreement Archived June 25, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, Page 174
- ↑ PA Bulletin Volume 30
- ↑ "Duane Morris website". Archived from the original on May 13, 2008.