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E. Stewart Jones Hacker Murphy 125th Anniversary

Celebrating 125 Years of Reputation, Respect and Results

Celebrating the major milestone of 125 years in business is no small accomplishment, and E. Stewart Jones Hacker Murphy will spend the rest of 2023 acknowledging its storied past and giving back to the community that it has called home for more than a century.

Founded in 1898, E. Stewart Jones Hacker Murphy is one of the most experienced and trusted personal injury, criminal defense, medical malpractice and commercial litigation firms in New York state. Its highly skilled team of lawyers and legal professionals truly care about the individuals and families they represent, the causes they undertake and the outcomes they achieve.

“The common thread throughout 125 years of business is our steadfast commitment to securing results for people who need them,” said E. Stewart Jones, Jr., partner and third-generation lawyer at E. Stewart Jones Hacker Murphy. “For me, this isn’t just a business, it’s my family legacy. That’s what drives everything I do, whether in the courtroom or in the community.”

E. Stewart Jones Hacker Murphy Timeline

  • 1898: The Jones Law Firm was founded by Abbott Jones in Troy, N.Y. following a successful career trajectory from law clerk to lawyer.
  • 1931: Notorious gangster Jack “Legs” Diamond was acquitted of assault charges after a one-day trial in Troy, NY by Abbott Jones.
  • 1939: E. Stewart Jones, Sr. took the reins of his father’s firm, partnering with Arthur L. Rosen. The firm gained statewide and national recognition for its precedent-shattering verdicts.
  • 1950s: E. Stewart Jones, Sr. tried the first medical malpractice birth injury suit outside of the city of New York.
  • 1967: E. Stewart Jones, Sr. obtained a $750,000 verdict in federal court in Albany, which at the time was the largest verdict returned in the state outside of New York City.
  • 1979: E. Stewart Jones, Sr. secured a then-record-breaking verdict of $3.6 million from Chrysler Motors on behalf of a Troy resident who suffered severe injuries due to a vehicle malfunction.
  • 1983: E. Stewart Jones, Jr. assumed partnership of the firm, beginning 40 years and counting of leadership and commitment to clients.
  • 1980s – 2000s: E. Stewart Jones, Jr. achieves record verdicts in medical malpractice and other personal injury cases in multiple upstate counties and acquittals in numerous high-profile criminal cases.
  • 1998: The law firm celebrates its 100th anniversary.
  • 2005: Meghan Rielly Keenholts was hired as the firm’s first female attorney, working her way up to her current position of founding partner.
  • 2005: James Hacker secured a confidential settlement on behalf of victims of the notorious sinking of the Lake George tour boat Ethan Allen, when it was uncovered that the boat passed inspection fraudulently. Both Hacker and Jones teamed up to represent the victims' families.
  • 2014: Represented by E. Stewart Jones, Jr., former State Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno was acquitted in a federal retrial of political corruption charges. Jones conducted the cross-examination of the principal prosecution witness and also delivered the closing argument on behalf of the defense.
  • 2015: E. Stewart Jones merged with Hacker Murphy LLP, bringing James E. Hacker on as managing partner and expanding the firm’s practice areas and service offerings in addition to its team. The merger added a team of talented attorneys and a location in Schenectady that supplemented the Jones firm’s existing offices in Troy and Saratoga.
  • 2017: E. Stewart Jones Hacker Murphy LLP is recognized by the U.S. News & World Report as a Tier 1 Best Law Firm. In the same year, James E. Hacker, John F. Harwick, E. Stewart Jones, Jr., Meghan R. Keenholts, and Michael W. Kessler were each recognized by Best Lawyers for their outstanding performance in their fields. In addition, the firm has been, for decades, represented in the most exclusive trial lawyer organizations in the country, The Inner Circle of Advocates, The American College of Trial Lawyers, The International Academy of Trial Lawyers, The International Society of Barristers, and The American Board of Criminal Lawyers.
  • 2022: E. Stewart Jones Hacker Murphy LLP continues to expand, opening a new office in downtown Albany at 41 State Street.
  • 2022: Managing Partner James E. Hacker is appointed as president of the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers.
  • 2023: E. Stewart Jones Hacker Murphy celebrates 125 years in business.