In a world where the life expectancy of a Fortune 500 company is now 15 years, the story of Baker Botts is extraordinary. The law firm survived the Civil War, the Great Depression and two world wars. One founding partner wrote the first rules of civil procedure in Texas. Another partner solved the murder of William Marsh Rice in 1900, which led to the creation of Rice University.
Half of its lawyers were drafted in 1942 to fight in WWII. The firm has represented two clients continuously for more than a century. Baker Botts celebrates its 175th anniversary Thursday night. If you thought you knew the lawyers at Baker Botts, this article will change your mind.