Our History
Our story begins five decades ago in San Francisco, when Stu Gordon and Don Rees put aside their rival school allegiances to Cal and Stanford to create a law firm dedicated to providing outstanding client service. From its inception in 1974, the firm has made hard work, responsiveness and camaraderie its foundation.
Our Transformation into a Legal Powerhouse
In 2014, following a period of rapid expansion, the firm became known as Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani in order to recognize the significant contributions made by partners Miles Scully and Roger Mansukhani to our meteoric growth.
Just five years later, we reached another major milestone as GRSM made history in 2019 becoming the first and only law firm with offices in all 50 states. This nationwide reach, combined with localized expertise, ensures consistent and seamless legal representation across all jurisdictions.
The benefit to clients from our 50 state platform has been transformative as clients gain new levels of efficiency and consistency working with a single firm to ensure a seamless and comprehensive experience.
Recognized as a legal powerhouse, GRSM is proud to rank in 2024 among the 15 largest firms in the United States. Our growth in headcount, which reached 15% in 2023, is nearly fivefold greater than the industry average.
Dynamic Leadership and Collegial Partnership
GRSM’s continuity of leadership has added stability during our rapid expansion. Our culture of excellence and client service has evolved to reflect advancements in our profession and society. GRSM’s collaborative, diverse and inclusive work environment — and our people — demonstrates how superior legal services can be delivered in an atmosphere of collegiality and mutual respect.
GRSM’s golden anniversary in 2024-25 marks a half-century of legal innovation and client service.
Our reputation as an entrepreneurial firm reached a historic high in 2019 when we became the first and only full-service law firm with offices and attorneys in all 50 states.
Highlights of GRSM’s remarkable growth include:
- Growth. Our attorney ranks have grown from two to more than 1,600.
- Expansion. Starting from a single office in San Francisco, GRSM’s current footprint includes 80+ offices across all 50 states.
- Industry Recognition. We are consistently ranked among the top U.S. law firms. We first appeared on the Am Law 200 in 2005, followed by gaining a place on the Am Law 100 in 2020. Measured by attorney headcount, GRSM is the 14th largest U.S. law firm and the 75th largest globally.
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The firm’s steadfast commitment to DEI is making an impact. We are recognized for being among the top 70 firms for diverse attorneys and the top 10 for women attorneys in large firms. More than 50 percent of current office leadership consists of female and/or diverse attorneys.
- Legal Excellence. GRSM has received countless awards and accolades across major practice areas. We successfully represent clients in landmark, high-profile matters throughout the United States.
Donald W. Rees, a founding partner of Gordon & Rees, made significant and ground-breaking contributions to the world of insurance law, among other areas. Beyond his professional achievements, Don was a devoted family man and had a passion for sports, music, and education. We cherish the memories shared with Don and recognize his enduring impact on the legal profession.
“Our singularly focused commitment to professional service has propelled the firm to reach a national scale and deliver business-minded legal solutions to clients throughout the United States.”