Public Service Tradition

Cravath attorneys have a long and distinguished history of service to the governments of the United States, the State of New York and the City of New York.

Beginning with two of our Firm’s founders, William H. Seward and Richard M. Blatchford, Cravath lawyers have served in important public service roles through some of the most significant and challenging times in our country’s history. It was during the Civil War that William Seward and Richard Blatchford each served President Lincoln and the cause of the Union, and in the generations since, our attorneys have advised some of our country’s most prominent leaders and advocated to uphold constitutional principles of equality, liberty, press freedom and the separation of powers.

Our lawyers have advised Presidents through both World Wars, helped to create the Council on Foreign Relations, investigated alleged abuse of power and violations of intelligence laws during the Cold War, counseled American leaders through the Cuban Missile Crisis, and served on the initial Executive Committee of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights.

They have served in positions of leadership at the United States Department of Justice, Department of the Treasury, Securities and Exchange Commission, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Federal Trade Commission and Patent and Trademark Office, and have gone on to become judges at all levels of the Federal Judiciary.

Our distinguished history of public service underscores our reputation for excellence. While the world around us has changed exponentially, our promise in the 21st century is as it was in the 19th: to honor the calling of a noble profession and to serve causes greater than our individual interests. We are extraordinarily proud of the long line of Cravath attorneys who, when called by the nation, state or city during times of need, served their governments dutifully.