Home Page - Rawle & Henderson, LLP

01: Welcome

ESTABLISHED IN 1783

As the oldest law firm in the United States, we have thrived for centuries because our highly qualified attorneys constantly adapt to the changing legal environment and provide top-notch legal services expected from a law firm with such a long and rich history.

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In “The room where it happened” since 1783*

Alexander Hamilton, who was an accomplished attorney, hired our Firm’s founder, William Rawle to represent him when he needed a lawyer. Since that time, countless clients follow in Hamilton’s footsteps when they place their trust and confidence in our firm whenever they “enter the room where it will happen.” They do so because they know that Rawle does not just have a long and prestigious history, but we can be counted on to provide legal services consistent with our proud legacy.

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COVID-19 Statement

The COVID-19 pandemic is challenging all aspects of our community and economy. As the oldest firm in continuous practice in the United States, we are committed to meeting those challenges and serving the interests of our clients. We are also highly committed to promoting the health, safety and welfare of our employees, staff and communities. For Firm offices that were required to temporarily close, our attorneys and paralegals continue to work remotely. Our Firm will continue to serve your legal needs with the same high quality legal services that you have come to expect of us regardless of the challenges. We thank you for your continued trust and encourage you to contact your legal team at the Firm with any questions.

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As the oldest law firm in the United States, we have thrived for centuries because our highly qualified attorneys constantly adapt to the changing legal environment and provide top-notch legal services expected from a law firm with such a long and rich history.

O2: Firm Highlights

Rawle & Henderson LLP Partner John McMeekin to Lead American Bar Association’s 2023-2024 Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Leadership Academy

Philadelphia PA (October 2, 2023) – Rawle & Henderson LLP partner John C. McMeekin II will serve as the Co-Chair of the 2023-2024 Tort Trial and Insurance Practice (TIPS) Leadership Academy, which will take place at the TIPS Fall Meeting on October 12-14. There will be five sessions over three days of the Fall Meeti…

John C. McMeekin Presents “Going Off the Rails” at the Forum for Environmental & Toxic Tort Issues’ Annual Conference September 29 at the Union League Club of Chicago

Philadelphia PA (September 13, 2023) – John McMeekin II, partner with Rawle & Henderson LLP, will speak on the litigation and regulatory risks of transporting hazardous materials by railway at the Forum for Environmental & Toxic Tort Issues’ (FETTI) annual conference in Chicago on September 29. Entitled Going off…

Rawle & Henderson Promotes Two Pennsylvania Attorneys to Partner

Philadelphia PA (August 2, 2023) – Rawle & Henderson LLP is pleased to announce the promotion of two attorneys in their Pennsylvania offices to partner. Jennifer F. Schwartz joined the firm as an associate in 2015, and was promoted to of Counsel in 2022. She is a litigator, focusing her practice on workers’ compensat…

Rawle & Henderson Executive Committee Chairman John C. McMeekin, II Joins Board of Public Health Management Corporation

Philadelphia PA (June 26, 2023) – Rawle & Henderson LLP Executive Committee Chairman John C. McMeekin, II, has been invited to join the board of directors of the Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC), one of the largest and most comprehensive public health organizations in the nation. Mr. McMeekin has always va…

Rawle & Henderson Honors the Juneteenth Holiday

Monday marks the 157th anniversary of Juneteenth, which was officially declared a federal holiday in 2021. Rawle & Henderson will be closed on Monday in honor of the holiday. Juneteenth acknowledges the date June 19, 1865, when news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached Galveston, Texas, more than two and a half …

Pride Month Recognition – June 2023

Diversity, equity and inclusion are among the fundamental values of Rawle & Henderson. Our firm began in Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love and sisterly affection, with an enduring tradition of treating all people with dignity and respect. It is especially important to be reminded that the diversity of our communities is one of our greatest strengths.

The month of June provides us with an opportunity to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.

Now and throughout the year, we reflect on the positive influences of all people. The richness of those who shape and embrace us as lawyers, professionals, mothers, fathers, aunts and uncles, human beings and as members of the community. The people around us – regardless of our or their identity or sexual orientation – are to be valued. We all have challenges in life but none of us should face greater challenges because of who we love or the difference in our identities.

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Below we have included a few links to Pride events in your area and hope you will join in the celebrations of the diversity of our communities:

https://www.visitphilly.com/things-to-do/events/lgbt-pride-march-and-festival/

https://www.nycpride.org/

https://lipride.org/

https://jerseypride.org/

https://lgbtqpittsburgh.com/

https://centralpapride.org/

https://www.rainbowpridewv.org/

Robert Fitch Obtains Defense Verdict in a Plastic Surgery Medical Malpractice Action in Richmond County New York Supreme Court

New York NY (June 13, 2023) – Partner Robert A. Fitch obtained a defense verdict for a plastic and reconstructive surgeon in the Supreme Court of New York, Richmond County on June 9, 2023. The case sounded in medical malpractice and concerned the alleged failure to properly perform a Cesarean scar revision and limited ab…

Rawle Partner Maryanne Kolenovsky Wins Another New York Dental Malpractice Case

For the second time in just 30 days, Rawle & Henderson Partner Maryanne Kolenovsky successfully obtained a defense verdict in a dental malpractice case. Her latest victory occurred on May 4th, in the New York State Supreme Court for Orange County. The jury returned a defense verdict in favor of her dentist client and…

Rawle Partner Nigel Greene Obtains Defense Judgment in Wrongful Death Case

On Monday, May 15, Rawle & Henderson Partner Nigel Greene obtained a defense judgment in favor of our client, a municipal water authority, in a wrongful death case. The case arose from a motorcycle crash that resulted in the death of a 19-year old young woman who was the passenger on the motorcycle. Plaintiff …

Rawle Partner Anthony D. Luis Obtains Defense Verdict in Motor Vehicle Insurance Coverage Case

Anthony D. Luis obtained a defense verdict in a motor vehicle insurance coverage case where the Orange County Supreme Court held a framed issue hearing to determine whether an insurer was liable for the intentional criminal acts of its insured. The Court initially stayed arbitration between the injured party and h…

John C. McMeekin II Elected to American Bar Association’s House of Delegates

We are pleased to announce that John C. McMeekin II has been elected to a three-year term to the House of Delegates of the American Bar Association (ABA). The House of Delegates collaborate to discuss ABA policy and act as the policy-making body of the entire association. Delegates also lobby on behalf of members of the…

Rawle & Henderson Announces the Promotion of Eight New Firm Partners

Rawle & Henderson, LLP is pleased to announce that the following eight attorneys have been promoted to Partners of the Firm: Matthew Chapman, Susan Dean, Thomas DiStefano, Joelle Florax, Iolanda D’Ambrosi-Francavilla, Patrice O’Brien, Jo…

Rawle & Henderson, LLP, Partner William S. Spiegel Obtains Defense Verdict in Professional Liability Case

William S. Spiegel obtained a unanimous defense verdict in a professional liability case where the New York Supreme Court made the rare decision to allow a jury to consider…

Rawle & Henderson, LLP, Partner Maureen Daley and Of Counsel Thomas DiStefano successfully defend client

Maureen Daley and Thomas DiStefano obtained a defense verdict in favor of a global restaurateur in a 2 ½ day trial in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsyl…

Rawle & Henderson announces significant expansion of New York offices with the addition of eight medical malpractice defense and family law attorneys

Rawle & Henderson, LLP, is pleased to announce a significant expansion of its New York Offices with the additions of Attorneys Linda DeCorato, Tania Pinnock, John T. Evans, …

Rawle & Henderson is pleased to announce that Cottrell Law Group has joined the firm and the opening of offices in Hackensack, New Jersey

Rawle & Henderson LLP is pleased to announce that The Cottrell Law Group has joined the firm. The Cottrell Law Group was founded by Floyd G. Cottrell, Esq., in 2003 after he…

John McMeekin Gave the Opening Remarks & Participated in the Panel Discussion on Nuisance Claims at the ABA Toxic Torts & Environmental Law Conference

John McMeekin participated in a panel discussion on “Nuisance Claims: Shield for Neighbors or Sword for Social Justice” at the American Bar Association’s Toxic Torts & Envir…

Wright & O’Donnell, P.C. and Rawle & Henderson LLP are excited to announce that they have joined forces.

Lawrence Wright & Sheila O’Donnell established Wright & O’Donnell in 1995, and have been representing clients in a wide range of matters over the past 26+ years. Its cl…

Fitch Obtains Defense Verdict in First Post-COVID Trial in NY Supreme Court for West Chester County

Rawle and Henderson is pleased to announce that Robert Fitch, a partner in our Wall Street office, successfully obtained a defense verdict on October 29, 2020 in the first case to be tried in the New York Supreme Court for West Chester County after the COVID-19 shutdown.

John C. McMeekin II elected to the Board of Directors of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania

We are pleased to announce that John C. McMeekin II, a member of Rawle & Henderson LLP’s Executive Committee was unanimously elected to the Board of Directors of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania on June 21, 2021. The Board, referred to a…

SULC hosts monthly networking webinar series with partner, Rawle and Henderson

Recently, the Southern University Law Center hosted a virtual lunch and learn session with Rawle business lawyer and General Counsel David I. Rosenbaum and Verily Life Sciences General Counsel Cynthia Patton. The title of the session was “Insights into Being a Business Lawyer – Ask the Professionals,” and it was moderated by John C. McMeekin, II, partner at the Law Firm of Rawle and Henderson

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