Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin, an Am Law 200 law firm and one of Pennsylvania’s largest law firms, is celebrating 60 years in business. Founded in 1962 by Francis E. Marshall, who was later joined by Gerald Dennehey, John R. Warner, Robert J. Coleman and Robert St. Leger Goggin, the firm has grown to become a civil defense litigation powerhouse recognized for the strength of its trial attorneys and litigation bench. Today, Marshall Dennehey has nearly 500 attorneys in 19 offices spanning seven states, and serves a lengthy roster of some of the country’s largest insurance carriers and their insureds, professionals in all disciplines, and small to Fortune 500 businesses.
“When you hear the name ‘Marshall Dennehey’ you immediately think, ‘civil defense litigation’ – that’s the way it has been for the past six decades, and how it will continue to be,” said G. Mark Thompson, Marshall Dennehey’s President & CEO. “Our founders built a cornerstone foundation that has enabled us to weather economic instability, technological adaptations and the transition of several administrations. While other firms have come and gone, our ability to innovate, embrace technological change and implement new ideas to the benefit of our clients, has greatly contributed to our longevity and success.”
In celebration of the anniversary, the firm developed the initiative, “60 Charities for 60 Years – Let’s Give Back Together.” Employees across the firm’s 19 offices were invited to submit the name of a favorite local charity, with a short explanation of its mission and importance to the employee. Sixty charities were selected and each received a $1,000 donation from the firm in that employee’s honor.
“We wanted to not only celebrate our employees, but at the same time, give back to the communities where we conduct business,” said Mr. Thompson. “The response was overwhelming and it was difficult to select only 60. In the end, it feel great to support these worthwhile organizations and we also learned a lot of wonderful things about the people who work here.”
According to Mr. Thompson, who became CEO in 2018 following the 13-year tenure of Thomas A. Brophy, much of the firm’s growth can be attributed to Robert J. Coleman, whose vision of a regional defense litigation firm was key to the firm’s expansion beginning in the 70s. “Bob’s strategic vision for the firm, to open regional offices close to county courthouses where our attorneys could develop relationships with the judiciary and local legal community and most efficiently manage their cases, helped us navigate an evolving insurance industry and defense litigation environment. We continue that strategy today with the recent opening of an office in New Haven, Connecticut.”
Among other attributes, Thompson said the firm’s unique shareholder structure and compensation scheme have greatly contributed to the firm’s positive workplace culture and success. “Since the beginning, we have not awarded origination fees. Rather, compensation is based on litigation performance and other benchmarks, an approach that promotes collegiality and teamwork.”
Firmwide office celebrations are planned where employees will gather to celebrate the firm’s past, present and future.
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