Richards, Layton & Finger Celebrates Grand Reopening of Renovated Offices with Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
May 12, 2025
Firm News
Event Marks 125+ Years of Leadership, Growth, and Commitment to Wilmington
WILMINGTON, Delaware (May 12, 2025) – Richards, Layton & Finger, Delaware’s largest law firm and one of its oldest, hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, May 12, to celebrate the completion of extensive renovations to its offices at One Rodney Square, reflecting both the firm’s remarkable legacy and its ongoing commitment to the Wilmington community.
Founded in 1899 in a small rented office on Market Street, Richards Layton has grown over 125 years into a pillar of Delaware law and civic leadership. The newly renovated space now spans 8 floors and nearly 150,000 square feet, including 250 attorney offices, a 3,000-square-foot fitness center, four advanced conference and trial prep centers, and wellness suites on every floor.
The highlight of the renovation is the unveiling of the RLF Café—a welcoming space designed to foster community and collaboration within the firm.
“I want to thank Richards Layton for its tremendous investment in pro bono legal services in our state” said Lieutenant Governor Kyle Evans Gaye. “What is truly a testament to this firm is the success you don’t see, which is people who are receiving much-needed legal services across our state. The fact that these attorneys can be excellent professionally in all they do and excellent in serving their community truly makes me proud to stand here alongside my colleagues. Congratulations, and thank you for all you do.”
“Pure and simple, this is a big deal,” said Wilmington Mayor John Carney. “The City of Wilmington is ascendent, and a decision like yours to recommit to Rodney Square, to recommit to the City of Wilmington, is really just a big deal. Your presence here is about the success of the city, it’s about the success of the communities across our state.”
“Our renovated offices represent far more than just a physical transformation,” said Lisa Schmidt, president of Richards Layton. “They reflect our enduring dedication to excellence in the practice of law, to the wellbeing of our people, and to the city we’ve proudly called home for more than a century.”
The firm’s rich history includes leadership in groundbreaking corporate cases—such as the landmark Disney executive compensation litigation—and contributions from its attorneys at all levels of state and federal government, including the Delaware Supreme Court, U.S. Congress, and governor’s office.
Richards Layton also holds a pioneering record in diversity and inclusion. The firm was the first major Delaware law firm to name partners who were women, African American, Jewish, South East Asian, and Hispanic. In 2019, it made history again when Doneene Damon was elected the first African American woman president of a major Delaware law firm.
Throughout its history, the firm has made service a priority, supporting organizations like Delaware Volunteer Legal Services, Ministry of Caring, Ronald McDonald House of Delaware, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Delaware, as well as advocating for vulnerable populations through its formal pro bono initiatives.
Richards Layton’s new renovations are a testament to the firm’s continued investment in its people, its city, and the future of Delaware law.
About Richards, Layton & Finger
Defining Delaware law since 1899, Richards, Layton & Finger helps sophisticated clients navigate complex issues and the intricacies of Delaware law. We advise global companies, business partnerships, leading financial institutions, local businesses, and individuals across a wide range of practices, including corporate law, alternative entities, commercial law, bankruptcy and corporate restructuring, intellectual property, tax, trusts and estates, commercial real estate, and litigation.