In 1968, Joseph S. McCarthy, who had been principally practicing in the District of Columbia, and James T. Wharton, a Montgomery County attorney, joined together to establish the firm of McCarthy and Wharton, locating their office in Rockville, Maryland. Joe McCarthy had as his principal client Allstate Insurance Company, and Jim Wharton's principal client was Erie Insurance Group. It is interesting to note that thirty years later, the successor firm of McCarthy Wilson is privileged that both of these insurance groups remain as clients.

The Honorable Thomas Hogan of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia was McCarthy and Wharton's first associate, and in 1969, Charles E. Wilson, Jr. became its second associate. Tom Hogan and Chuck Wilson became partners in 1974, about the same time that another attorney, Paul H. Ethridge, joined the firm as a young associate.

From 1968 to 1980, McCarthy and Wharton utilized 100 South Washington Street, a historical home in Rockville, as its principal place of business. As office space became limited, in the Fall of 1980, the firm expanded and housed several of its employees in a second historical home located at 104 South Washington Street.

Upon Joe McCarthy's death in 1983, the firm was restructured and renamed McCarthy, Wharton, Wilson & Ethridge. In 1985, Jim Wharton relocated to Annapolis, Maryland and relinquished his partnership, and the firm became McCarthy, Wilson & Ethridge. During the following two years, more space was needed and an addition of 3,000 square feet was added to the 104 South Washington Street office.

From 1985 to the present, McCarthy Wilson has expanded greatly. The firm presently consists of nine partners and eleven associates. There are fourteen secretaries, eleven paralegals, eight law clerks, a receptionist, an office manager, and a billing clerk. Because of the expansion of personnel and the need for additional office space, in March of 1997, the property located at 108 South Washington Street was added to the houses belonging to McCarthy Wilson.

Being housed in 100, 104 and 108 South Washington Street, in the historic district, provides a unique and pleasant working environment, even though rumor has it that "100" is occupied by a ghost. Several of the firm's employees attest that they have seen a young woman, dressed in white, standing by the fireplace or walking the upper hall. Chuck Wilson denies the existence of a ghostly apparition but everyone notices that his office is strategically located in "104."

McCarthy Wilson has remained active in the Peerless Group, an organization dedicated to preserving the historical atmosphere of the sites in Rockville. The firm has participated in open house tours, and "100" and "104" have won awards from the City of Rockville for maintaining the original charm of the homes, while they function as office space.

Of significance is that prior to joining the firm as associates, many of our attorneys began their legal careers as law clerks with McCarthy Wilson. Their two-year clerkship was generally followed by a year's clerkship with a judge, which enhanced their desire to become litigators. McCarthy Wilson attorneys are licensed to practice law throughout the State of Maryland and the District of Columbia but, on occasion, have tried cases outside of those jurisdictions.

The firm's practice consisted primarily of personal lines insurance defense work until 1985, and that defense work continues through the present time. Beginning in 1985, the cases extended to include medical, dental, legal, accountant, and real estate malpractice claims. The firm has also participated in extensive building and construction litigation and workers compensation. Most cases handled by McCarthy Wilson are litigated and our attorneys are well known in the courtroom.

On numerous occasions, McCarthy Wilson attorneys have been asked to speak throughout the State of Maryland with respect to trial techniques and insurance coverage. The firm has conducted, on a regular basis, various seminars and training programs for insurance companies and has been involved in continuing legal education programs.

The firm's attorneys have been leaders in the County Bar Associations and their personal biographies will reflect individual participation in the Executive, Judicial Selection, Administration of Justice, Social, Litigation, Fee Arbitration, Bench-Bar, Criminal Justice, and Interprofessional Committees. Achievements also manifest a past President of the Montgomery County Bar, three members of the American College of Trial Lawyers, and a member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Governors of the State Bar Association.

On a social level, the firm was one of the charter members in the Montgomery County Softball League, and has competed with other law firms throughout the County. Also, once a year, the attorneys participate in the Montgomery County Bar Revue as both performers and writers. The Bar Review has gained notoriety for its excellence both throughout the State and nationally.

Although McCarthy Wilson has been an established firm for over thirty years, it is a young firm in that more than half of the attorneys are under the age of 40. We are also unique because we have a local flavor as most of the attorneys have lived and attended schools in the District of Columbia and Maryland.

While keeping a team concept with family friendliness has become more difficult as the firm's size increases, the partners have been insistent on maintaining the atmosphere of the practice, while being consistent with the charm of our surroundings. Blending a state-wide reputation for experienced, aggressive representation of our clients with the youthful excitement created by the younger lawyers has both preserved and improved the spirit upon which the firm was founded over thirty years ago.