Firm History Timeline

If you would like a closer view of a decade, click on the desired image below.

Where it all began: Edgar Liberty Wood and Lawrence A. Owell graduate from the University of Wisconsin Law School. Wood is likely a member of the UW Law School Whisker Club. Few guardrails: In the 1900s, there is no income tax, FDA, labor relations board, workers compensation, railroad or public service commissions.
A growing reputation: The office of Lines, Spooner, Ellis & Quarles is in the 710 Pabst Building, 110 E Wisconsin. The firm is counsel for Central Leather Co., Green Bay & Miss. Canal Co., Pabst Brewing Co. and Standard Accident Ins. Co. Formalizing the firm: Wood, Warner & Tyrrell is established. The firm operates out of the 404 Security Building at 209 Grand Avenue in Milwaukee.
A chapter closes: Lawrence Olwell dies. Attorney William A. Hayes describes him as a "man of originality, a resourceful man, an energetic man peculiarly adapted to the law." He is also remembered as "a man of dignified and courtly bearing and an immaculate dresser..." Supporting the war effort: In an action reflective of wartime, Bernard Brady appears before the Wisconsin Assembly Judiciary Committee on behalf of Briggs & Stratton Corporation to support legislation offering tax incentives to Wisconsin companies building new planes for defense contracts.
Showing their muscle: Quarles, Herriott & Clemons successfully represents General Electric Company's x-ray department in a labor and employment appeal before the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Making his mark: Charles Quarles, Louis' brother, dies in 1968. He served as president of the Legal Aid Society of Wisconsin for many years and was a past president of the Wisconsin Service Association. During his tine at the University of Wisconsin, he held the record (albeit briefly) in high hurdles.
A new era begins: Quarles & Brady forms. Attorney Jim Urdan created the original partnership agreement for the merger of Quarles, Herriott, Clemons, Teschner & Noelke (45 lawyers) and Brady, Tyrrell, Cotter & Cutler (25 lawyers), although the two offices don't share one space until 1979. Making a move: The Milwaukee office moves to its present space at 411 E. Wisconsin Ave. The move includes 2,500 shelves of law books, 9,000 cartons of paperwork and 100 trailer loads of furniture.
Welcoming the Windy City: A Chicago office opens following a merger with the 27-attorney firm Wilson & McIllvaine. A sign of the times: Quarles & Brady sits high on the Milwaukee skyline with its new rooftop sign.
Continuing to grow: The firm opens an office in Tamps. This is followed by the opening of offices in Washington, D.C. (2012), Indianapolis (2014) and Scottsdale, Ariz. (2014). A new brand: The firm launches a new brand and state-of-the-art website, designed to reflect Quarles' commitment to shared purpose, a defining feature of the firm and its culture that unites Quarles with its clients, colleagues, communities and causes.

Back to Main Content

We use cookies to provide you with the best user experience on our website and to analyze statistics related to our website. To understand more about how we use cookies, or for instructions to change your preference and browser settings, please see our Privacy Notice. Please note that if you choose to reject cookies, doing so may impair some of our website's functionality.