We have a story to tell. In the courtroom, in the boardroom, and in row after row of well-worn legal texts. The first chapter? The State of Minnesota v. Duluth Gas & Water Company, 1899. The defendants were represented by the law firm of Washburn, Lewis and Bailey, our predecessors, and the case set precedent for our reputation of quality, hard work and attention to detail.
Through much of the firm's history, clients have included railways, utilities and mining companies, and work has been largely industrial-based. Growth in the firm has depended on growth in local industry. In the early 1900s, the time was ripe for both--and the iron that built America built the firm, as well.
Steel rails out of mines in northeastern Minnesota carried the firm into and through much of the 20th century. The 1970s were no exception. They were, in fact, the culmination of years of expertise in mining legislation. The case: a groundbreaking decision in United States v. Reserve Mining Co., which received national and international attention.
"The Reserve case was a substantial piece of work for the firm, and virtually all of us were involved with it. After years of research and legal proceedings, the courts decided in favor of our client."
Shortly after the Reserve case, the firm expanded its practice to include a more broad spectrum of law. Times were changing in Duluth, and firm shareholders knew that success meant diversification and an appeal to a larger segment of the public. In other words, more types of representation for more types of clients.
Growth in areas such as family law and estate planning helped establish the firm's expertise outside the fields of industry, transportation and environmental law. In essence, the firm became more accessible and, therefore, more successful.
Today, as one of the leading firms in the area, Hanft Fride celebrates over a century of success with the community by sharing a wealth of time, energy and financial resources--and by pledging to 100 years of continued legal excellence.
