Content area
Full text
Detroit's oldest law firm says it is too young.
Starting in 1976, and accelerating this year, 134-year-old Butzel Long Gust Klein & Van Zile has hired primarily older lawyers who worked for other firms. It has also bought small- and medium-sized firms to get experienced lawyers.
Since 1976, when the firm had 40 lawyers, it has hired 35 lawyers with many years of experience. Every year it also hires from six to 10 associates from law school.
Today the firm has 119 lawyers today, including 55 partners.
Butzel Long has 92 lawyers working downtown in the First National Building and 27 in its Birmingham office.
The 35 hirees include eight experienced lawyers hired since January -- as partners, associates or counsel.
Attorneys who are hired as counsel generally are specialists who have their own practice outside the firm but make their services available to the firm on a fee basis, said Harry Ruemenapp, a firm director.
Last month, the firm also hired six associates just out of law school.
"We wanted to add strength at the maturity level . . . age 50-60," said Richard Rassel, 46, a director in the firm.
The firm has just three people over age 60 and five between 55 and 60, said Rassel.
William Saxton, 62, the firm's vice president and a director, said the average age of a Butzel Long lawyer...