In 1926, as Detroit stood at the height of its industrial ascent, Raymond H. Berry established what would become one of Michigan’s most enduring law Firms. 100 years later, Berry Moorman P.C. continues to stand as a pillar of legal excellence, defined by deep legal knowledge, principled advocacy, and an unwavering commitment to serving its clients.
A Case That Set the Standard
At its inception, Berry Moorman handled a complex and high-stakes matter involving the Horace Dodge Trust and thirteen original minority shareholders of the Ford Motor Company. After the sale of Ford stock to Henry and Edsel Ford, the Internal Revenue Service assessed substantial income taxes against those shareholders.
Raymond H. Berry, already distinguished for his work in the Estate and Gift Tax Division of the Internal Revenue Service, partnered with former U.S. Tax Court Justices to argue the case before the United States Supreme Court.
The result was a significant victory for the minority shareholders, recovering approximately $34 million in income taxes, equivalent to roughly $650 million in today’s tax-adjusted dollars.
That outcome did more than resolve a tax dispute. It established Berry Moorman as a Firm capable of handling nationally significant litigation involving complex valuation, tax, and trust issues. It also positioned the Firm as a trusted advisor to some of Detroit’s most influential business figures.
From its beginning, the Firm was defined by strategic thinking and integrity, principles that continue to guide Berry Moorman today.
Building a Detroit Institution
As Detroit rose to prominence throughout the twentieth century, Berry Moorman’s founders and attorneys were active participants in shaping the city’s commercial and civic landscape.
Raymond H. Berry served as a Director of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and as President of the Detroit Board of Commerce.
The Firm represented prominent individuals, businesses and institutions, including Avery Rackham in contesting the Will of Horace H. Rackham, another matter of substantial public and legal interest.
For decades, the Firm’s practice centered on tax, trust, and estate law. In 1949, A.H. Moorman joined the Firm, and together with John “Jack” King and Mr. Berry, reorganized and expanded the Firm’s practice areas to meet evolving client needs. In 1968, Berry Moorman became the third professional law corporation organized in the State of Michigan, a reflection of its forward-thinking structure and leadership.
Expanding with the Times
As client needs grew more complex, so did the Firm’s practice areas. From the 1960s forward, Berry Moorman expanded into:
● Alternative dispute resolution
● Business and corporate law
● Civil and commercial litigation
● Estate and trust planning and administration
● Family law
● Health law
● Immigration Law
● International law
● Labor and employment law
● Municipal Law and Litigation
● Non-Profit Law
● Real estate
This evolution was strategic. The Firm anticipated change in the legal climate and positioned itself to deliver comprehensive, interdisciplinary legal solutions.
Serving Iconic Clients
Over its long history, Berry Moorman has represented some of the region’s most recognized institutions and brands, including:
● Belle Tire
● Cadillac Coffee Company
● Kelsey-Hayes
● Pewabic Pottery
● R. Hirt Jr. Company
● The Detroit Athletic Club
● Vernors
The Firm also played a role in protecting cultural assets during Detroit’s municipal bankruptcy. A predecessor Firm that later became part of Berry Moorman prepared the no-sale agreement confirming the Will provision governing the Robert Hudson Tannahill art collection at the Detroit Institute of Arts, ensuring that over 400 donated works could not be sold.
A Global Outlook
While deeply rooted in the Detroit area, Berry Moorman’s reach extends beyond Michigan.
For decades, the Firm has supported clients operating across the UK and Europe and broader international markets, advising on cross-border transactions, employment, global business strategy, immigration, regulatory compliance, and supply chain relationships. Global clients include ARaymond, AISIN World Corp. of America, Facil North America, Incodel Michigan LLC, and Jones Lang LaSalle America.
This international dimension reflects a long-standing philosophy: clients’ ambitions are not confined by geography, and neither is the Firm’s counsel.
Values That Define the Firm
Berry Moorman’s century of longevity is anchored in four enduring principles:
- Excellence
- Experience
- Integrity
- Client Commitment
These values shape daily practice. Attorneys collaborate across disciplines. Ethical advocacy is non-negotiable. Personalized legal strategy remains central. The Firm’s culture prioritizes mentorship, professional growth, and long-term relationships — with clients and within the Firm itself.
Community Commitment
Community engagement has always been integral to Berry Moorman’s identity. Firm attorneys serve on nonprofit and municipal boards, participate in civic leadership, and advise corporate, municipal, and nonprofit clients on initiatives that strengthen the communities in which they operate.
The Firm’s success has never been measured solely by legal victories, but also by the impact it makes beyond the courtroom.
Looking Forward
As Berry Moorman celebrates its 100-year anniversary, it does so not merely as a survivor of changing times, but as a Firm that has consistently adapted, expanded, and innovated.
From arguing before the United States Supreme Court in its earliest years to advising multinational enterprises and individuals today, Berry Moorman’s legacy is defined by thoughtful counsel, disciplined advocacy, and a commitment to doing things the right way.
A century ago, Raymond H. Berry set out to handle a complex case with skill and integrity. That mission remains intact, now carried forward by a new generation of attorneys dedicated to the same standard of excellence.
Clients, colleagues, and partners are invited to join Berry Moorman in celebrating this historic milestone by reconnecting with the Firm’s attorneys, exploring its expanded service offerings, and engaging in conversations about how Berry Moorman can support their legal and business objectives for the next century and beyond.
