About Us
Our History
In June 1979, a group of preeminent attorneys in Washington, D.C. led by Eldon “Took” Crowell and John Frederick Moring, decided to leave one of the country’s largest law firms to create something entirely of their own. Striving to be a “different kind of law firm,” where providing excellent legal service didn’t come at the expense of treating colleagues with mutual trust and respect, Crowell & Moring opened for business with 53 attorneys at 1100 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. Consistent with its new identity, Crowell embraced a democratic management structure and created a 5-member committee, as opposed to a single managing partner, to govern the burgeoning firm.
Crowell & Moring began as an idea, an inspiration, a yearning to do things differently.
— Phil Inglima, Chair of the Management Board
Crowell quickly established itself as the gold standard in representing government contractors and built best-in-class practices in areas such as antitrust, energy, and litigation as it attracted top legal talent and new clients across a range of industries. By 1987, the firm had expanded its reach beyond the United States and launched an affiliated global policy and consulting firm, which is known today as Crowell Global Advisors.
Intentional yet rapid growth marked the years that followed. In 1991, Crowell opened offices in Orange County, California, and London, further cementing its global footprint. Through strategic combinations with boutique law firms focused on intellectual property, health care, and white collar, Crowell became a leading firm in Washington, D.C. while adding offices in Brussels, New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. More recently, Crowell opened offices in Doha in 2020, Chicago and Denver in 2021, and Boston in 2025.
The challenge and excitement of serving our clients drives this enterprise and brings us the professional satisfaction we seek.
— Chahira Solh, Chair of the Executive Committee
From its earliest days, a commitment to pro bono animated the ethos at Crowell. The firm’s founders expected its attorneys and staff to stand for more than the cases and legal quandaries that landed on their desks — giving back to the community and helping those with fewer resources was just as important. In honor of its 10th anniversary, Crowell marked its dedication to this mission by creating a position for a full-time public service partner, the first such formal role at any U.S. law firm. The move inspired many peers in the industry to do the same.
Took Crowell and Fred Moring were all about community—about building an internal community and about giving back to the community.
— Susie Hoffman, Public Service Partner
Crowell continues to write its own story today. With nearly 700 attorneys and more than 1,000 professionals based in 12 offices across the world, the firm has certainly evolved from its humble beginnings. Yet it hasn’t strayed from its core values. Chief among them: a commitment to inclusion within the Crowell community. Through mentorship programs, affinity groups, training, and support, Crowell is dedicated to creating more progress within its own walls. As enshrined in its mission statement, crafted in honor of Crowell 10th anniversary, opportunity, inclusion, and personal growth are critical pillars in the strong foundation that has sustained Crowell for more than 45 years.
