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The oldest in the Philippines, the firm was founded at the turn of the century by Mr. Charles Cohn, and Mr. John W. Hausserman, formerly
of the U.S. Judge Advocate General's Office. In 1903, the firm was appointed as the Philippine Branch of Coudert Brothers, New York (and for the most part of this century, the firm's cable address remained as "TREDOUC" the reverse of "COUDERT").
In 1907, Coudert Brothers closed their Philippine Branch, but Mr. Hausserman and Mr. Cohn continued their practice. They later merged with the law firm of Ortigas and Fisher, and became known as "Hausserman, Ortigas, Cohn & Fisher". Mr. Hausserman later on established Benguet Consolidated, the pioneer in gold production in the Philippines, while Mr. Fisher later on became a justice of the Philippine Supreme Court.
In 1923, the firm merged with Kincaid, Perkins & Kincaid, and from this merger arose the firm Fisher, Dewitt, Perkins & Brady. The firm's name has since evolved, as the composition of the partnership changed. In 1936, Don Alfonso Ponce Enrile, one of the most noted trial lawyers of his time, became the first Filipino partner. From that period, the hiring of American lawyers ceased until the firm evolved to be entirely Filipino. Mr. Siguion Reyna and Mr. Montecillo became general partners in 1961.
In 1996, Mr. Romarie G. Villonco also became a general partner, replacing the late Mr. Oscar R. Ongsiako. As the firm closely approaches its centennial, it takes pride in having modestly served the nation through its contribution to the development of Philippine law and jurisprudence, and in having served as a training ground for leaders - jurists, legislators, cabinet secretaries, and founders of new law firms.
Today, the firm is composed of forty-one lawyers educated in the best schools in the Philippines and abroad. A full-service firm, our practice areas cover a wide range of legal problems and issues. Our clients come not only from the different parts of the Philippines, but also from all over the world. Many clients have been with us since the early part of this century. Our office is located at the heart of the Makati Central Business District, the financial center of the Philippines. |
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