History

The entrepreneurial spirit of Godfrey & Kahn began with its founders, Dudley Godfrey Jr. and Gerald (Jerry) Kahn, who met as undergraduates at the University of Wisconsin. Dudley later graduated from the University of Michigan Law School and Jerry from the University of Wisconsin Law School. After working in Washington, D.C., they returned to Milwaukee.

While the firm enjoys a rich history filled with dedication and long-standing memories, there are a few moments which cement the firm's place in Wisconsin's history:

1957: Dudley Godfrey and Jerry Kahn open their first office on the 11th floor of the Empire Building, 710 N. Plankinton Avenue, in Milwaukee. During that time the firm specialized in tax and estate planning.

1957: The Firm represents its first client, Wesley Pavalon. Unaware of Wisconsin's income tax requirements, Pavalon, a trade school operator, enlists Jerry's help. He is impressed with Jerry's willingness to work through the night to finish his tax returns in such a timely manner.

1968: Due to Godfrey & Kahn's impending expansion, the firm moves to the newly completed Marshall & Ilsley Bank Building at 780 North Water Street in Milwaukee. The move takes place during one of Wisconsin's famous snowstorms, and is done by the G&K employees. The firm moves into 8,504 square feet of space on the 11th floor.

1968: Jerry Kahn helps Marvin Fishman acquire an NBA franchise for Milwaukee - the Milwaukee Bucks. Shortly afterward, he negotiates and signs Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) to his first contract and structures the trade that brings Oscar Robertson to Milwaukee.

1969: Immediately following the move, Godfrey & Kahn hires new recruits Peter Sommerhauser, Carl Backus and Lewis Perlson. The firm's founders alter its focus from tax and estate planning to general business law, creating unlimited growth opportunity for the firm.

1976: Dudley Godfrey and Jerry Kahn assist Parker Pen Company and Mitchell Fromstein with the acquisition of Manpower, Inc. Parker owns 80% and Fromstein 20%.

1985: The firm opens its second location in Green Bay, WI, after merging with Egan & Laird to establish a presence where several firm clients are located.

1995: With the firm's number of clients continuing to grow, there is need for more offices throughout Wisconsin. This leads to the opening of the firm's third location in Appleton, WI.

2000: G&K merges with LaFollette Sinykin, LLP, a Madison, WI, law firm founded in 1945 by Philip LaFollette, former governor of Wisconsin, and Gordon Sinykin, who served together on General MacArthur's staff in the Philippines. Godfrey & Kahn also opens an office in Waukesha, WI.

2004: The firm establishes the Godfrey & Kahn Fellowship in Law at the University of Wisconsin. The fellowship provides a full three-year scholarship to one student each year who is a participant in the Legal Education Opportunities Program, a student-organized program that represents students of color. The firm would later establish a similar fellowship at Marquette University.

2006: Godfrey & Kahn becomes the first Wisconsin law firm to have a physical presence and office in China. This on-ground presence allows the firm to serve its U.S.-based clients with in-country legal staff who have knowledge about both U.S. and Chinese law and who maintain important contacts within the Chinese business community.

2007: Godfrey & Kahn celebrates 50 years of teamwork!

2008: The firm is recognized by the Milwaukee Business Journal as one of the 2008 Top Milwaukee Workplaces. The annual awards recognize area firms for taking the lead in creating exemplary workplaces.

The firm is also recognized by the American Bar Association as an "Eco-Challenge Partner" on January 31, 2008. As of that date, Godfrey & Kahn was one of only 38 firms across the country and the only firm in Wisconsin honored for becoming a more "green" organization. The firm is currently certified in the "Best Paper Practices" category and is working toward other certifications. The ABA Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources (SEER) together with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency designed the program to encourage firms to take simple, practical steps to become better environmental and energy stewards.