Founded in 1888

The Firm’s History Spans over a Century

Our Core Principles and Values are Timeless

In 1888, New York City was an emerging center of world commerce.  The city’s burgeoning business opportunities prompted founding partners Simpson Wolf and Sol Cohen to open an office in lower Manhattan. Their practice focused on real estate and trusts and estates for New York’s merchant families. Walter Wolf, Herbert Haldenstein, Theodore Adler, John Freeman, and John Herz joined the Firm in the first half of the 20^th century maintaining the Firm’s culture and reputation.

With the evolution of New York City and the growth of Midtown Manhattan, clients and law firms relocated, as did Wolf Haldenstein. In 1924, the Firm moved its office to 270 Madison Avenue just a few blocks away from Grand Central Terminal, and the Firm is still there today.  As Wolf Haldenstein’s practice areas expanded towards the end of the 20^th century, it opened offices in Chicago, Illinois, San Diego, California, and Nashville, Tennessee.

While maintaining a growing law practice, Firm members actively supported the expansion and enforcement of civil rights protections across the United States.  Wolf Haldenstein attorneys joined the Freedom Riders and traveled to the segregated South in the early 1960’s to assist in civil rights and voter registration activities and enforcement of Supreme Court desegregation orders.

The values of our founding partners are our legacy and guide the Firm and lawyers every day.  Fiercely proud of our history, we embrace these values.