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Founded 75 years ago as Donworth & Todd, Perkins Coie has become the largest law firm in the Northwest (ranked fifth in Alaska). The founding partners, George Donworth, federal judge of the Western District of Washington, and Elmer Todd, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington were both experienced lawyers with a strong desire to return to private practice.
The firm of Donworth & Todd opened its doors on May 1, 1912, in three small offices in the Hoge Building. There were no associates, no stenographer and no clients.
Earliest Clients
Within a few weeks, Judge Donworth acquired an important client, the Seattle and Lake Washington Water Way Co. Additionally, James D. Hoge, from whom Donworth & Todd rented office space, was also president of Union Savings and Trust Co. and employed the new law firm as chief counsel. The trust company soon became Union National Bank, and later merged with Dexter Horton Bank, which eventually became SeaFirst.
Hoge also suggested that another business in the Hoge Building would be a good client. At the time (1914), this tenant had interests in timber, real estate, and a tiny airplane company located at the south end of Lake Union. In 1916, Judge Donworth drew up articles of incorporation for the "aero" company owner, William E. Boeing.
A dozen years later, Boeing asked the Donworth firm to help reorganize the Boeing Airplane and Transport Corp. primarily to provide adequate financing. The company acquired controlling interest in the Boeing Airplane Co., Boeing Air Transport, and...