Building the Foundation of a Legacy
William Thompson was in his second year of law practice, handling litigation, property contracts, and an occasional will or probate
representation.
That same year, the Washington Monument was opened to the public, and construction began on the Eiffel Tower. A leather tanner named John J. Loud gained a patent on a remarkable device called the ballpoint pen. Benjamin Harrison would defeat Grover Cleveland in one of the nation’s most divisive and controversial presidential elections.
Meanwhile, Thompson and his fellow Texan and law school classmate R.E.L. Knight were determined to build a firm to meet the demands of a growing center for business and commerce, even as the city of Dallas was installing its first electrical lines and woodblock-paved streets.
The Early Years: A Changing Legal Landscape
In 1888 there were no income tax laws, no antitrust statutes, no regulations for business, and lending institutions were generally free to handle their loans in whatever fashion they desired. And few could have predicted the future influence and success of the law firm of Thompson & Knight LLP.
“It’s remarkable for any business to survive and thrive for more than 125 years,” says Emily Parker, the firm’s managing partner. “This longevity is a tribute not only to the focus and drive of the current members of the firm, but to the prior leaders who left a legacy of client service and cooperation that continues today.”
Expanding with Texas and Beyond
As Texas progressively matured into an international center for commerce, Thompson & Knight grew by aligning legal services to the ever-changing demands of business. The discovery of the region’s vast oil and gas reserves in the early 1900s was perhaps the most important event in the development of the firm. That led to Thompson & Knight’s long-standing reputation and expertise in serving the energy industry and the interrelated disciplines of transactions, taxation, finance, real estate and litigation.
“Our client roster includes many of the world’s largest publicly traded oil and gas companies and a host of exploration, production, gathering, pipeline, marketing, refining and investment businesses,” says Richard Hemingway, the leader of the firm’s Oil & Gas Practice Group. “Attorneys across multiple practice areas who truly understand the oil and gas industry collaborate to provide our clients with an integrated perspective. This depth of knowledge offers a significant competitive advantage as we represent clients in transactions and resolve disputes in countries around the world.”
Recognition and Global Reach
These qualities also led to Thompson & Knight being named “Law Firm of the Year” in Oil & Gas Law for the second consecutive year in the 2013 edition of The Best Law Firms in America, just one of the distinctions and honors the firm has earned across several practice areas, industries and regions in recent years. For 2014, the 330-attorney firm is recognized in The Best Law Firms in America with 29 national rankings, including top-tier designations in seven practice areas.
“This level of recognition and respect from our clients and peers is very gratifying and speaks to our tradition of performance and practical judgment,” says Ms. Parker.
A Global Future
Now with four offices in Texas, two in California, as well as offices in New York and Michigan, and international offices and associations in Mexico, North Africa and Europe, Thompson & Knight is positioned to continue building on its long-standing reputation and serving the needs of clients around the world.
