The Partners

The Partners examines the inner workings of America's elite law firms through eight significant legal cases from the 1970s and early 1980s. Stewart spent two years investigating these powerful institutions and their influence on major corporate decisions and international affairs. Each section follows a different law firm as they handle high-stakes cases for clients like IBM, Chrysler, Kodak, and the Rockefeller family. The firms profiled include prestigious names such as Cravath, Swaine & Moore; Sullivan & Cromwell; and Davis Polk & Wardwell. The book details the complex strategies, negotiations, and legal maneuvers employed by these firms as they represent their corporate clients in matters ranging from international crises to antitrust battles. Stewart reconstructs the key moments and decisions through extensive interviews and research. The Partners reveals how large law firms function as both legal advocates and power brokers, highlighting their central role in shaping American business and society during a transformative period in corporate history.

Readers describe this inside look at major law firms of the 1980s as a fast-paced account that reads like a novel. Many note it provides clear explanations of complex legal and business concepts for non-lawyers. Liked: - Detailed reporting on specific cases and personalities - Insights into law firm culture and partner dynamics - Clear breakdown of the Kodak-Polaroid patent battle - Strong narrative flow Disliked: - Some sections get bogged down in technical details - Focus on only a few major firms/cases - Dated material (1980s cases and firms) - Limited coverage of female lawyers Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (256 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (31 ratings) Sample reader comment: "Stewart has a gift for making complex litigation comprehensible while maintaining suspense, even when you know the outcome." - Goodreads reviewer Multiple readers noted the book helped them understand why they did or didn't want to pursue law careers.

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🏛️ The law firm Cravath, Swaine & Moore, featured prominently in the book, pioneered the "Cravath System" - a revolutionary approach to training lawyers that became the industry standard and is still used today. 📚 Author James B. Stewart won the Pulitzer Prize in 1988 for his coverage of the stock market crash and insider trading scandals, just a few years after publishing "The Partners." 💼 During the period covered in the book (early 1980s), starting salaries for associates at top New York law firms were around $38,000 - equivalent to about $108,000 in 2024 dollars. ⚖️ The book was written during a transformative era when law firms were evolving from traditional partnerships into more corporate-style organizations, with many firms profiled growing from dozens of lawyers to thousands today. 🏢 Sullivan & Cromwell, one of the featured firms, played a pivotal role in creating the legal framework for the Panama Canal's construction and has represented numerous Fortune 500 companies in landmark cases since its founding in 1879.