Law Firm Profile
Jenner & Block By Teresa Cajot Jenner & Block is a national general practice law firm with headquarters in Chicago and offices in Los Angeles; New York; and Washington, DC.
The firm boasts a strong transactional and corporate practice, which focuses on mergers and acquisitions, securities, finance, private equity, real estate, tax, environmental, insurance, commercial law, technology, intellectual property, bankruptcy and reorganization, labor and employment, executive compensation, government contracts, health care and associations. The firm was established in 1914 and named after Jacob Newman, Conrad Poppenhusen, and Henry Stern. Initially, the firm operated as a traditional corporate business firm, providing representation for banks, investment bankers, mortgage houses, and industrial corporations. However, with a change in financial fortunes during the Great Depression, Newman, Poppenhusen & Stern took on an increased number of reorganizations and recapitalizations, and also began representing more creditors and bondholder committees than it had previously.
In the 1970s, Jenner took on the position of chief special counsel to the minority of the United States House of Representatives Judicial Committee in its investigation concerning the impeachment of President Nixon. Also in the 1970s, the House Committee on Un-American Activities was eradicated as the result of a case handled by Jenner & Block. The firm filed a First Amendment challenge to the HUAC, following an attack against its client, Dr. Jeremiah Stamler, a well-known heart researcher in Chicago. In the 1980s, Jenner & Block represented MCI in MCI v AT&T, a case that ultimately brought about the break-up of the monopoly Bell system across the nation. Today the firm has about 470 attorneys who serve clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to family run businesses and individuals. The firm’s trial attorneys include 12 Fellows of the American College of Trial Lawyers, six former US Supreme Court Clerks, several state appellate court clerks, two former US Attorneys, and multiple former Assistant US Attorneys.
In 1935, Albert E. Jenner joined the firm as an associate and in 1955 he became a name partner. Samuel J. Block joined the firm immediately following his graduation from Harvard Law School. He became a partner in 1948 and a name partner in 1964.
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