Featured Voices from Our History

These stories represent just a fraction of the rich history that makes Jenner & Block unique.

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JOAN HALL

Former Partner, Chicago

Joan Hall became Jenner & Block's 45th lawyer in 1965 and went on to achieve numerous groundbreaking milestones that helped reshape the legal profession for generations of women lawyers. She was Jenner’s first woman to become a litigation partner and the first woman to chair the firm's hiring committee—a role that transformed the firm's trajectory. Joan also became the first woman to chair the American Bar Association's Litigation Section, and to be admitted to the American College of Trial Lawyers. Throughout her distinguished career, she drew on mentorship from Sam Block and navigated uncharted territory with determination and vision, leaving a lasting legacy at Jenner & Block and in the broader legal community.

Joan Hall on Learning from Sam Block

Joan Hall, who became the firm's 45th lawyer in 1965, shares lessons from Sam Block that shaped her distinguished career, including becoming the first woman president of the ABA's Litigation Section.

dan murray

OF COUNSEL, Chicago

One of the firm's great storytellers, Of Counsel Dan Murray joined Jenner & Block as an associate in 1970 during the height of the Vietnam War. He worked closely with Bert Jenner and Sam Block, experiencing firsthand their unique personalities and leadership styles that shaped the firm's culture. Dan's deep knowledge of the firm's history and his vivid recollections of the partners after whom the firm is named provide invaluable insight into the characters and values that defined Jenner & Block during a pivotal era in both American history and the firm's development.

Dan Murray on Bert Jenner's Legacy

Dan Murray, who joined the firm in 1970 and worked closely with Bert Jenner for a decade, reflects on the principles that shaped Jenner & Block's enduring commitment to public service.

paul smith

former partner, washington, dc

Paul Smith's extraordinary legal journey spans from his upbringing in California to his time at Yale Law School, followed by a pivotal clerkship with Supreme Court Justice Lewis Powell. He has been at the forefront of landmark cases such as Lawrence v. Texas—a watershed moment for LGBTQ+ rights—and Reno v. ACLU. Paul's trailblazing work advancing civil liberties, his influential role in growing our Washington, DC office, and his broader contributions to the legal community have left an indelible mark on the firm and the profession.

Paul Smith on Lawrence v. Texas

Paul Smith discusses how the landmark Lawrence v. Texas case not only changed constitutional law but also helped define Jenner & Block's values and culture in the modern era.