1908
Jacob (Yank) Ulmer and J.M. (Joe) Berne establish a new law office in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. Both graduates of the Western Reserve University Law School class of 1908, Yank and Joe were not only close friends but brothers-in-law as well. Both practiced law until their 80's and built strong reputations as lawyers and members of the community. Yank Ulmer's many contributions included the founding of the National Foundation for Eye Research and assisting to establish the National Institute of Health in Neurological and Blinding Eye Diseases. Joe Berne served for nine years as President of the Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland, pioneered the building of the Federation's headquarters at 1750 Euclid Avenue, and was a trustee for Mt. Sinai Hospital.
1920
B.D. (Ben) Gordon joins the firm as partner. The firm is renamed Ulmer, Berne & Gordon.
1948
Ulmer & Berne grows to seven attorneys and gains the moniker of Ulmer, Berne, Gordon & Glickman. Starting salary is $225 a month.
1953
A merger with the law firm of Laronge & Curtis brings the total to 10 attorneys, including Robert Lewis, who helped create Cuyahoga Community College in 1963 and later served as Ulmer & Berne's Managing Partner in the mid '80's to late '90's.
1988
In celebration of the firm's 80th anniversary, the firm returns to the original name of Ulmer & Berne.
1989
Columbus office opens, extending the firm’s reach into new markets and business communities, most notably with its highly regarded environmental law practice.
2000
Cincinnati office opens. Formerly the Cincinnati firm of Walker & Chatfield and originally founded in the mid-1960s, the Cincinnati office enjoys national success with its leading pharmaceutical and mass tort litigation practice.
2001
Chicago office opens privately in 2001 and officially in 2002, further enhancing the firm’s substantial financial services industry practice.
2005
Ulmer & Berne moves into new Cleveland office space in the Skylight Office Tower, occupying four floors and 103,000 square feet.
2008
In celebration of Ulmer & Berne’s 100th Anniversary, the Firm participated in various community and civic activities throughout the year to give back to the cities in which its attorneys and staff live and work. In January 2008, Ulmer & Berne kicked off its 100th Anniversary celebration with a $100,000 donation to the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, which was used to further the efforts of the Volunteer Lawyers Program and other Legal Aid programs in Cincinnati and Columbus, where the Firm also has offices.
2011
Today, Ulmer & Berne is one of the largest law firms in the Midwest. We have approximately 175 lawyers among our Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Chicago offices. However, despite our standing as one of the largest law firms in the region, we still hold strong to the ideals of our two founders. Ulmer & Berne continues to provide the reach, depth, presence and trust that our clients have relied on for more than 100 years.