The Cravath Firm and Its Predecessors, 1819-1947

One of the most prestigious law firms in the United States, Cravath, Swaine and Moore, as it is known today, was involved in some of the most important events in history. It was also a decisive influence on the direction of American legal practice. Under the leadership of Paul D. Cravath in the 1890s it developed the "Cravath system," an organizational model based on departmentalizing the large staff of associates, partners and clerical helpers that continues to dominate the modern urban law firm.