Hill Ward Henderson started with a vision of a unique law firm — one that would combine the expansive talent, resources, capabilities and technologies of a larger firm with the responsiveness and personal attention of a smaller firm, to deliver powerful, personal service to each and every client. This idea for an innovative, client-focused firm grew out of the longstanding relationships and collective experience of three of the area's leading attorneys, Benjamin H. Hill, III, David E. Ward, Jr., and Thomas N. Henderson, III. Acting on this vision, on May 1, 1986, seven founding attorneys established Hill Ward Henderson.
Since inception, Hill Ward Henderson has grown steadily based on our continued allegiance to this founding, client-centered philosophy. Today, with approximately eighty attorneys offering a wide range of premier commercial legal services in seven different practice areas, our firm's superior reputation for results-oriented service continues to fuel that growth.
As we have grown, our priorities have remained the same. Hill Ward Henderson has as its cornerstone an obligation and a commitment to our valued clients to provide the highest degree of integrity, professionalism and competence to ensure the timely, efficient delivery of high quality legal services. The dividend to our firm has been the long-term relationships we have developed with our clients. We want to be our clients' law firm not just today or tomorrow, but many years from now, and we continue to build our relationships with that in mind. While doing so, our firm has continued to honor our strong, long-standing dedication to the community and our profession.
Andrew J. Lubrano (1952-1999) - Andy was one of the founding shareholders of Hill Ward Henderson in 1986 and a valued member of our firm for many years. Andy also established the firm's Corporate and Tax Department, which continues to grow as a thriving practice area with an established reputation for the delivery of premier legal services, due in large part to Andy's dedication and vision. Andy, with an L.L.M. in taxation from New York University, was one of the area's leading tax attorneys, and, today, Hill Ward Henderson still benefits tremendously from Andy's many years of hard work and commitment to our firm and our founding principles. Andy was an alumnus and long-time supporter of Jesuit High School, and our firm helped to establish the Andrew Lubrano Scholarship Fund at Jesuit in his honor.
Douglas P. McClurg (1949-2002) - Doug joined Hill Ward Henderson in 1992. He also founded the firm's Creditors' Rights and Bankruptcy Department and was an esteemed shareholder of our firm for many years. Doug, a University of Florida graduate, was well-known as one of the area's top bankruptcy attorneys. In his memory, the Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association honored Doug by creating the Douglas P. McClurg Professionalism Award. The Association presents this award annually to a lawyer in recognition for his or her outstanding effectiveness in judicial proceedings through preparation, civility and courtesy to counsel and parties. Doug was a combat-wounded Vietnam veteran, and he received several military awards for his service, including the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.