Our Firm: History

Gray Plant Mooty is the oldest continuing law practice in Minneapolis—and one of the most influential. Founded in 1866 by Charles Woods as a one-man firm specializing in local real estate, the practice has grown to over 150 attorneys with clients world-wide. Gray Plant Mooty has served the Twin Cities for over a century, building an award-winning reputation for legal expertise and a solid commitment to community involvement.

The original practice first expanded in the early 1880s with the additions of William J. Hahn, a former Minnesota state attorney general, and Joseph R. Kingman. While the firm was originally known as "Woods & Hahn," when Kingman retired 67 years later in 1950, it was widely known as “the Kingman Firm.”

By the mid-1950s, the practice of law was becoming increasingly focused. Already heavily involved in probate, estate planning, and real estate, the firm expanded into the areas of corporate law, finance and tax, and litigation. Physically the practice moved to the Roanoke Building in downtown Minneapolis, and key new faces were now on the scene: Franklin Gray, Frank Plant, John and Melvin Mooty, and Russell Bennett.

As the firm grew, so did its reputation for expertise in antitrust and product liability law, both on regional and national levels. It argued and won cases for major clients such as DuPont and Westinghouse. But it also remained heavily involved in real estate matters, in projects ranging from “Southdale,” the nation’s first enclosed suburban shopping mall in Edina, Minnesota, to the explosive skyscraper growth of downtown Minneapolis.

Gray Plant Mooty has grown in size and influence. But the practice has worked hard to balance the strength and resources of a larger firm with the spirit of a smaller firm. The close working relationships amongst its partners and associates is a prime example of that balance.

The 1980's and 1990's were highlighted by another move—and more expansion. In 1984, the firm relocated to the Minneapolis City Center. Six years later, Gray Plant Mooty joined with Harstad and Rainbow. In 2002, the firm combined with Hall & Byers, bringing together one of Minnesota’s top ten law firms with one of the most influential business law practices in St. Cloud. Clients throughout the state—and the entire Midwest—have benefited.

In 2003, the firm relocated its Minneapolis office to its current location, the IDS Center, and the St. Cloud office further expanded its offices. At the end of 2005 Gray Plant Mooty expanded beyond Minnesota for the first time in the firm’s history, opening its East Coast office in Washington, D.C. Today, Gray Plant Mooty ranks among the nation’s top 500 law firms, providing legal support of the highest quality, a dedication to uncompromising client service, and an active commitment to its century-plus tradition of community involvement.

1865	Civil War ends
1866	Charles Woods opens Minneapolis law office
1881	“Woods & Hahn” is created when former Minnesota Attorney General, William J. Hahn, joins firm
1883	Joseph R. Kingman joins firm
1950	Kingman retires—to many the firm is now known as “The Kingman Firm”
1955	Firm moves to The Roanoke Building in Minneapolis
1956	Firm is involved in real estate transactions for Southdale, nation’s first enclosed shopping mall
1977	Firm is named Gray, Plant, Mooty, Mooty & Bennett
1984	Firm moves to the Minneapolis City Center
1990	Gray Plant Mooty combines with Harstad and Rainbow of Minneapolis
1999	Firm featured in "America's Greatest Places to Work With A Law Degree," by Kimm Alayne Walton, J.D.
2001	Gray Plant Mooty institutes client service standards
2002	Gray Plant Mooty combines with Hall & Byers of St. Cloud
2002	Gray Plant Mooty named “Employer of the Year” by the American Cancer Society
2003	Gray Plant Mooty named one of the "Great Places to Work" in The Business Journal
2003	Firm moves to current Minneapolis location in the IDS Center
2004	For the second consecutive year, Gray Plant Mooty named one of the "Great Places to Work" in The Business Journal
2004	Gray Plant Mooty voted one of the top five law firms for corporate legal advice by directors of publicly-traded companies in Minnesota
2005	For the second consecutive year, Gray Plant Mooty voted one of the top five law firms for corporate legal advice by directors of publicly-traded companies in Minnesota
2005	Gray Plant Mooty receives the Minnesota Business Ethics Award
2005	For the third consecutive year, Gray Plant Mooty named one of the "Great Places to Work" in The Business Journal
2005	Gray Plant Mooty opens East Coast office in Washington, D.C.
2006	For an unprecedented fouth consecutive year, Gray Plant Mooty named one of the “Great Places to Work” in The Business Journal
2006	Gray Plant Mooty’s St. Cloud office receives the “2006 Business Volunteer of the Year Award” from Central Minnesota’s Habitat for Humanity
2007	Gray Plant Mooty names Tamara H. Olsen as the firm’s first female Managing Officer