Keck, Mahin & Cate
Encyclopedia
Keck, Mahin & Cate was a law firm
based in Chicago, Illinois that was founded in 1886 and stopped operations in 1997.
The firm worked in general practice, banking and bankruptcy law, corporate finances, mergers and acquisitions, and the like. By 1985, it employed 95 lawyers.
The firm had branches in nine other cities, including San Francisco, Houston, New York
, and Washington, D.C.
In the early 1990s, former Democratic vice-presidential nominee Geraldine Ferraro
was a managing partner of its New York office. During the 1980s, Victoria Reggie worked at and became a partner in its Washington office. Former Governor of Texas
Mark White
worked in its Houston location after he left office in 1987.
By the mid-1990s, Keck, Mahin & Cate had grown rapidly to have some 350 lawyers and faced financial difficulties. In 1994, it was found guilty of having to conspired to defraud investors in a Texas jail construction project and was liable for a share of a $36 million judgment. By early 1996, the firm faced being cut off from a $10 million line of credit from its chief lender, Northern Trust Company.
By summer 1997, the firm had lost more than 90 attorneys in four years, and key defections to Chicago rival Rudnick & Wolfe
occurred. The firm considering halting its operations, and vacated its Chicago Loop
offices on Wacker Drive
.
Keck, Mahin & Cate effectively ended later in 1997, as in December 1997 several creditors filed an involuntary Chapter 7 bankruptcy
action against it. By the end of the month, this was converted to
a Chapter 11 bankruptcy
. It remained there for a number of years. In 2002, the bankruptcy court ruled that some former partners could not escape liability for the firm's debts. That year Bracewell & Patterson successfully defended Keck remnants against a legal malpractice claim dating back to 1992.
Law firm
A law firm is a business entity formed by one or more lawyers to engage in the practice of law. The primary service rendered by a law firm is to advise clients about their legal rights and responsibilities, and to represent clients in civil or criminal cases, business transactions, and other...
based in Chicago, Illinois that was founded in 1886 and stopped operations in 1997.
The firm worked in general practice, banking and bankruptcy law, corporate finances, mergers and acquisitions, and the like. By 1985, it employed 95 lawyers.
The firm had branches in nine other cities, including San Francisco, Houston, New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, and Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
In the early 1990s, former Democratic vice-presidential nominee Geraldine Ferraro
Geraldine Ferraro
Geraldine Anne Ferraro was an American attorney, a Democratic Party politician, and a member of the United States House of Representatives. She was the first female Vice Presidential candidate representing a major American political party....
was a managing partner of its New York office. During the 1980s, Victoria Reggie worked at and became a partner in its Washington office. Former Governor of Texas
Governor of Texas
The governor of Texas is the head of the executive branch of Texas's government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces. The governor has the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Texas Legislature, and to convene the legislature...
Mark White
Mark White
Mark Wells White is an American lawyer, who served as the 43rd Governor of Texas from January 18,1983-January 20,1987.-Biography:...
worked in its Houston location after he left office in 1987.
By the mid-1990s, Keck, Mahin & Cate had grown rapidly to have some 350 lawyers and faced financial difficulties. In 1994, it was found guilty of having to conspired to defraud investors in a Texas jail construction project and was liable for a share of a $36 million judgment. By early 1996, the firm faced being cut off from a $10 million line of credit from its chief lender, Northern Trust Company.
By summer 1997, the firm had lost more than 90 attorneys in four years, and key defections to Chicago rival Rudnick & Wolfe
DLA Piper
DLA Piper is a global law firm with 76 offices across 30 countries and more than 4,200 lawyers. As of May 2011, it was the largest law firm in the world by number of attorneys. The firm's global revenues were $1.92 billion in 2009-2010. The firm is composed of two partnerships, DLA Piper...
occurred. The firm considering halting its operations, and vacated its Chicago Loop
Chicago Loop
The Loop or Chicago Loop is one of 77 officially designated Chicago community areas located in the City of Chicago, Illinois. It is the historic commercial center of downtown Chicago...
offices on Wacker Drive
Wacker Drive
Wacker Drive is a major street in Chicago, Illinois, United States, running along the south side of the main branch and the east side of the south branch of the Chicago River...
.
Keck, Mahin & Cate effectively ended later in 1997, as in December 1997 several creditors filed an involuntary Chapter 7 bankruptcy
Chapter 7, Title 11, United States Code
Chapter 7 of the Title 11 of the United States Code governs the process of liquidation under the bankruptcy laws of the United States...
action against it. By the end of the month, this was converted to
a Chapter 11 bankruptcy
Chapter 11, Title 11, United States Code
Chapter 11 is a chapter of the United States Bankruptcy Code, which permits reorganization under the bankruptcy laws of the United States. Chapter 11 bankruptcy is available to every business, whether organized as a corporation or sole proprietorship, and to individuals, although it is most...
. It remained there for a number of years. In 2002, the bankruptcy court ruled that some former partners could not escape liability for the firm's debts. That year Bracewell & Patterson successfully defended Keck remnants against a legal malpractice claim dating back to 1992.