Firm History

In 1871, shortly after Cincinnati’s Roebling Suspension Bridge was opened and the Tyler Davidson Fountain on Fountain Square was built, Stanley Matthews and William Ramsey established the law firm now known as Graydon Head & Ritchey LLP.

In addition to U.S. Supreme Court Justice and firm founder Stanley Matthews, our roster over the years has included many distinguished members, including the celebrated Lawrence Maxwell, who was appointed Solicitor General of the United States by President Cleveland, and lawyers who became notable judges, such as Louis J. Schneider and Robert L. Black, Jr. For a brief period, Robert A. Taft, later to become a U.S. Senator, and a presidential contender, practiced with the firm.

In many ways, the careers of the lawyers for whom we are now named, Joseph S. Graydon, Joseph H. Head and Hugh McDiarmid Ritchey, exemplify the civic-minded nature of the firm. The lawyers who have succeeded them, as well as conducting very active practices, are engaged in a host of activities spanning the cultural and political life of the Cincinnati community. Former members of the firm currently serve as the Director of the Office of Management & Budget, as Governor of the State of Ohio and as federal and state court judges.

Although GH&R is the oldest general practice law firm in town and represents some of the city's best-known and most well-respected companies and people, we are a down-to-earth group and try not to take ourselves too seriously. 

Currently, we are made up of individuals with a variety of interests outside the practice of law, including people who have a strong commitment to our community.  Our lawyers are also painters and pianists, magicians, political cartoonists and mountain-climbers.  We live on farms in the country and in condos in the city.  We fly planes, ride motorcycles and run marathons. We have a number of funny and talented writers on the roster, as well. To see one of our attorney's irreverent take on our Firm History, click on the link below.