[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22103]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        CELEBRATING THE 175TH ANNIVERSARY OF PHILLIPS LYTLE, LLP

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                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 17, 2009

  Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Phillips Lytle 
LLP, a legal institution steeped in history which was founded in 1834 
by Orsamus H. Marshall in Buffalo, New York.
   While the firm name has evolved through time, its mission and 
philosophy have remained constant. Phillips Lytle is a full service law 
firm possessing extraordinary capabilities to service client needs.
   Originally Marshall & Harvey, then Harvey & Bass, next Bass and 
Bissell; in 1874 future President of the United States, Grover 
Cleveland, joined the practice which then became Bass, Cleveland & 
Bissell LLP.
   While a partner with Bass, Cleveland & Bissell, Grover Cleveland was 
elected mayor of the City of Buffalo in 1881. In 1883 Cleveland left 
the firm to become Governor of New York State and in 1885 Cleveland was 
elected as the 22nd President of the United States.
   In 1906, Former State Supreme Court Justice, Daniel J. Kenefick 
joined the firm and in 1911, former Deputy Attorney General of New York 
State, Edward H. Letchworth signed on to practice law with Kenefick, 
Cooke, Mitchell & Bass.
   The law practice grew significantly in the early 1930's as new 
partners emerged. In 1946, William E. Lytle joined and in 1960, 
additional partners were added including former Majority Leader of the 
New York State Senate, Walter J. Mahoney, who was later elected State 
Supreme Court Justice in 1965.
   In 1970, under the name Phillips, Lytle, Hitchcock, Blaine & Huber, 
the firm was positioned for significant growth. Throughout the 1970's 
and 1980's, the Buffalo-based firm expanded across the State of New 
York partnering with a firms in Jamestown, Rochester, Fredonia and in 
1982, an office was officially opened in New York City.
   Several prominent Buffalo attorneys joined the firm in 2000 and in 
2003, Phillips, Lytle, Hitchcock, Blaine & Huber was shortened to 
Phillips Lytle, LLP. The firm's unique approach has stood the test of 
time as they built practice groups around clients' needs in the areas 
of Commercial, Corporate, Family Wealth Planning, Labor & Employment 
and Trial law.
   Today, Phillips Lytle has the largest geographic scope of any law 
firm in New York State, occupying seven (7) offices with over one 
hundred and seventy (170) attorneys representing some of the best 
companies in the United States. In total, there are over 450 
individuals committed to the long standing tradition of providing 
exceptional legal services.
   Steeped in history and experience, Phillips Lytle, LLP has remained 
a pillar firm in Western New York. It is my distinct honor, to 
recognize David McNamara, Firm Managing Partner, along with each and 
every talented Partner, Associate, and Staff Member of Phillips Lytle, 
LLP for their outstanding professional and civic contributions to 
Western New York.
   Madam Speaker, I am pleased to have this opportunity to recognize 
Phillips Lytle, LLP a firm with a long tradition of commitment to 
defending the law, upon this, their 175th Anniversary.

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