Carlton Fields at 125: A Legacy of Inclusion and Strategic Growth

TAMPA, FL – March 23, 2026 – As the United States celebrates its semiquincentennial, or 250th anniversary, this year, the law firm Carlton Fields is marking a significant milestone of its own: 125 years of continuous operation. The firm, founded in 1901, has been a fixture in the legal landscape for half the nation's history, a point underscored by its leadership.

"It's really a remarkable milestone when you put it in perspective," said Gary Sasso, president and CEO of Carlton Fields. "That's a great track record of succession, thanks to predecessors who have put the firm's interests ahead of their own. For 125 years, Carlton Fields has stood for excellence — serving clients, shaping industries, and strengthening communities."

From its origins as a small Florida practice to its current status as a national firm with approximately 350 attorneys across the country, Carlton Fields' story is one of strategic evolution, community impact, and a series of groundbreaking decisions that often placed it ahead of its time, particularly in the realm of diversity and inclusion.

A Pioneering Legacy of Inclusion

Long before diversity became a corporate buzzword, Carlton Fields was making history. In an era when the legal profession in the American South was largely homogenous and exclusionary, the firm made a series of hires that challenged the status quo. In 1961, it became the first major Florida law firm to hire a Jewish partner, Edward Cutler, who would go on to serve as the firm's president.

Just two years later, in 1963, Sylvia Walbolt joined as the firm's first female lawyer. A graduate at the top of her class from the University of Florida law school, Walbolt shattered numerous glass ceilings, eventually becoming the firm's first female shareholder and its first female board chair. Her influence extended far beyond the firm, as she became a trailblazer for women in law across the state and nation, serving as the first female president of the Florida Bar Foundation and earning election to the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers.

The firm's commitment to breaking barriers continued into the next decade. In 1970, Eurich Griffin joined as the first Black attorney at a major Florida law firm. He, too, would rise to become a shareholder, a notable achievement at a time when racial integration in the legal profession was still in its nascent stages. These actions stand in stark contrast to the historical context of the era, where segregation was still a recent memory and professional opportunities for women and minorities were severely limited.

This progressive mindset extended to other areas of social justice. In 1999, Carlton Fields was among the first firms in Florida to extend benefits to domestic partners. It has since leveraged its legal expertise to support LGBTQ+ families through significant pro bono work, including advocacy for adoption and marriage rights, cementing a legacy that began with early partner Doyle Carlton—a future Florida governor who championed women's suffrage.

Strategic Growth in a Shifting Landscape

While its social progressivism is a defining feature, the firm's longevity is equally attributable to its business acumen and strategic foresight. Founded by Giddings Mabry, the son of a Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice, the firm has consistently adapted to the changing demands of the legal market. In the late 1960s, it adopted forward-looking practices like alternative work schedules and became one of the first large Florida firms to incorporate, a move that enhanced its ability to serve clients at scale.

This strategic mindset fueled a deliberate and expansive geographic growth. Beginning with an Orlando office in 1967, the firm methodically established a national footprint. Over the next five decades, it opened offices in key markets including Tallahassee (1977), Miami (1997), Atlanta (2004), New York (2012), Los Angeles (2014), Washington, D.C. (2014), and most recently, Minneapolis (2025). This expansion was not growth for its own sake, but a calculated strategy to meet complex client needs across diverse industries and jurisdictions.

Today, the firm is recognized as a national litigation powerhouse, with expertise in class action defense, high-stakes appeals, and white-collar representation. Its practice areas also span sophisticated insurance, regulatory, and corporate transactional work for a roster of domestic and international clients. This evolution reflects a deep understanding that to remain relevant, a law firm must not only grow but also innovate, investing in the technology and talent necessary to anticipate future challenges.

A Tradition of Service Beyond the Courtroom

Underpinning both its social and business progress is a deep-seated commitment to public service and access to justice. This ethos is perhaps best embodied by the late William Reece Smith Jr., a former firm chairman. Smith holds the unique distinction of being the only American lawyer to have served as president of the Florida Bar, the American Bar Association (ABA), and the International Bar Association. Throughout his career, he was a tireless advocate for strengthening the legal profession and ensuring access to justice for all, most notably by leading the successful fight to preserve the nationwide Legal Services Corporation against abolition efforts in the 1980s.

This tradition of pro bono service continues to be a cornerstone of the firm's identity. Sylvia Walbolt, in addition to her other accolades, received the Florida Supreme Court's highest honor for pro bono work, the Tobias Simon Pro Bono Service Award. The firm's 125th anniversary celebration reflects this commitment, with lawyers and staff across all offices participating in a year-long series of community service initiatives to complement their ongoing legal aid efforts.

As Carlton Fields looks to its future, it does so from a foundation built over 125 years. The firm continues to focus on developing its next generation of leaders, equipping them with the technological tools and collaborative culture needed to navigate an increasingly complex legal landscape. "We are grateful for our past, but even more excited about our future," Sasso concluded. "As we move forward, we remain guided by the values that have enabled our firm to flourish for 125 years."