This article is part of a series celebrating Womble Bond Dickinson’s 150th anniversary and reflecting on the firm’s enduring legacy of service to the law, its clients, and the communities it serves.
A Foundation Built on Trust
The 1870s were a time of profound change for the city now known as Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Industry was emerging, railroads were expanding, and new economic possibilities were reshaping the region.
In 1876, during the transformation, attorneys Cyrus Barksdale Watson and William Bynum Glenn formed Watson & Glenn in a two-room office on Liberty Street. This young firm was the predecessor of what would become Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice and, ultimately, today’s Womble Bond Dickinson. From the beginning, the firm was defined not by its size, but by the trust it earned advising clients at the forefront of change.
The firm advised manufacturing and financial industry leaders from their earliest stages, relationships that continue today. The firm’s early work also included representing rail and transportation companies, contributing to the development of regional commerce. These are early examples of what would become a defining pattern: As the world evolves, Womble Bond Dickinson evolves with it.
"Law firms must balance their history and core values with the flexibility and drive needed to meet this moment head-on,” Womble Bond Dickinson Chair & CEO Merrick Benn recently wrote in a Global Legal Post guest article. “Sustained growth requires staying rooted in the core tenets that underpin a firm’s success, while remaining open to change and new ways of delivering legal services to best serve our clients and our people.”
Growing with Clients, Expanding Capabilities
In the early 20th century, the firm broadened its capabilities to meet increasingly complex needs. Early partners B.S. Womble and Irving Carlyle helped shape a reputation grounded in both legal excellence and stewardship. This included guiding a prominent North Carolina university through pivotal years of development, reflecting the firm’s role in supporting institutions that anchor communities.
Through periods of war, economic upheaval, and postwar transformation, the firm deepened its capabilities with a wider range of services, such as tax, labor and employment, corporate law, and complex business litigation. By the mid-20th century, the firm had earned a reputation for taking on sophisticated challenges and meeting them with skill and resolve. At the same time, the firm invested in its people by expanding its team, developing specialized roles, and building the talent required to meet the demands of an evolving legal and business environment.
Tested in High-Stakes Matters
By the late 1960s and early 1970s, the firm’s growing capabilities were tested in increasingly complex matters. Among them was large-scale aviation litigation arising from a midair collision involving a Piedmont Aviation 727, a multi-party case that demanded coordination, technical understanding, and strategic precision at the highest level. Partners of that era argued cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, illustrating the trust that clients placed in the firm to handle their most important matters.
Proven in the Moments that Matter
The firm’s legacy includes moments of principled leadership, when values were tested not in theory, but in practice, reflecting a longstanding commitment to respect for the individual.
During a period of significant social change, leaders such as Irving Carlyle took positions in support of progress, aligning with the principles at the heart of Brown v. Board of Education. Partners also helped lead efforts to desegregate local and state bar associations in the 1960s.
Through its expanded platform, including the 2025 combination with Lewis Roca, a leading Southwest and Mountain West firm based in Arizona, the firm carries forward a legacy that includes Miranda v. Arizona (1966). Lewis Roca attorneys John Flynn and John Frank represented the defendant in the case that established the requirement that individuals be informed of their constitutional rights during custodial interrogation. The now-familiar phrase “You have the right to remain silent” reflects the lasting impact of that decision.
Expanding Reach with Purpose
As client needs extended beyond local markets, Womble Bond Dickinson expanded strategically to meet them. The opening of its Raleigh office in 1982 marked the beginning of a broader geographic evolution, followed by growth in Charlotte and, in 1993, Atlanta—its first office outside North Carolina.
Each expansion reflected a consistent commitment: growth would enhance the firm’s ability to serve clients without compromising its culture or values. Over time, the firm continued to build presence in key markets, aligning its footprint with areas of economic and industry significance.
A defining milestone came in 2017, when the predecessor firm Womble Carlyle joined a prominent UK-based firm, Bond Dickinson, to form Womble Bond Dickinson. This transatlantic combination created a platform capable of serving clients across the United States and the United Kingdom with integrated capabilities. More than simply an expansion in reach, this was a step toward delivering seamless service in an interconnected global business environment.
Many Legacies, One Standard
In the years that followed, the firm continued to grow by bringing together complementary strengths. The 2022 combination with a leading San Francisco-based firm added a significant California presence and deep litigation and transactional experience. Additional growth in innovation-driven markets such as Boston, Denver, Houston, New York, and Nashville further strengthened the firm’s ability to serve clients operating at the forefront of change.
In the spirit of building a firm ready for tomorrow while honoring the best of yesterday, Womble Bond Dickinson combined with Lewis Roca, effective January 1, 2025, bringing together two legacies with a shared vision for fast-growing markets and innovation hubs. The combination strengthened the firm’s practice and sector capabilities, while expanding its geographic platform and reach. Together, these combinations reflect a consistent strategy: growth driven by capability, alignment, and a shared commitment to client service.
Innovation as a Constant
Innovation has been a consistent throughline in the firm’s history, driven by the practical demands of client work and a willingness to evolve how legal services are delivered. In the 1970s, Womble invested early in technology, including centralized word processing and systems that improved efficiency and consistency in legal delivery.
As client expectations changed, the firm helped set the pace. In 2018, Womble launched WBD Advance, bringing together technology and business services alongside traditional legal advice to support high volume projects, legal project and risk management, knowledge and information management, and flexible resourcing through a multi-disciplinary team.
Across each stage, including now with AI-enabled tools, the approach remains consistent: innovation is not an end, but a means to deliver better outcomes, with precision and confidence, when it matters most.
A Continued Commitment to Service and Values
Across every stage of its history, the firm’s core values—integrity, respect for the individual, and devotion to client service—have guided its decisions and shaped its culture. These values are not abstract; they are reflected in how the firm builds relationships, develops talent, and engages with the communities in which it operates. From pro bono service to leadership in civic and professional organizations, the firm has consistently viewed its role as extending beyond legal counsel to contributing to the broader strength of institutions and communities.
Looking Forward
Today, Womble Bond Dickinson has more than 1,300 attorneys in 40 offices across the United States and the United Kingdom. Its reach is broader than ever, but its mission remains focused: to help clients navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and move forward with confidence.
The story of 150 years, from two rooms to two continents, is not only a record of growth. It reflects purpose: a consistent commitment to evolving alongside clients, investing in innovation, and delivering trusted counsel in moments that matter.
In Benn’s words: “As we go forward, one thing remains true: The best of our story has always been written by those who believe the next chapter can be even better than the last.”
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