In 2003, after more than 30 years at McDermott Will & Emery’s Chicago office, Alan Olson retired. He was vice-chairman of the firm at the time and, as befit his position and long tenure, a testimonial dinner was given in his honor. After many warm speeches, according to sources who were at the dinner, the firm presented Olson with a parting gift: a set of golf clubs. Well, actually, Olson got three clubs-wrapped with a bow.
Despite the clubs missing from Olson’s set, 2003 was a good year for McDermott, one of many the firm has enjoyed in recent years. Since 1999 the firm’s gross revenue has more than doubled, and profits per partner have risen 72 percent.
