Rose Law Firm

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Rose Law Firm is a law firm headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas. It is the oldest law firm west of the Mississippi River and the third oldest in the United States.

It traces its origin to November 1, 1820, sixteen years before Arkansas statehood, when Robert Crittenden, born 1797, and Chester Ashley, born 1791, entered into an agreement for a "Partnership in the Practice of Law." The firm's name changed over the years as partners were added. "Rose" was added to the firm's name in 1865 when Uriah Milton Rose joined the firm. A statue of Rose stands in Statuary Hall in the United States Capitol. The firm simplfied its name to Rose Law Firm in 1980.

Rose Law Firm members have historically been active in politics and civic affairs. Robert Crittenden served as Arkansas' territorial governor and negotiated Arkansas' admission to the United States as the 25th state in 1836. Chester Ashley served as a United States Senator from Arkansas. U.M. Rose co-founded the American Bar Association and served as its president in 1901-1902. Rose was later appointed the American representative to the Second Hague Peace Conference and was instrumental in drafting the Hague Convention. Six of the firm's members have served on the Arkansas Supreme Court (three as Chief Justice), and six members have also served as President of the Arkansas Bar Association.

Hillary Rodham Clinton was the firm's first female partner during her husband Bill Clinton's tenure as Governor of Arkansas, and Webster Hubbell was also a partner before serving as Assistant Attorney General under President Clinton. Vince Foster was a partner, as well.