Rider Bennett

Rider Bennett was a Minneapolis, Minnesota-based law firm that operated for 47 years before closing at the end of May 2007. The firm was established in 1960 by Stu Rider, Gene Bennett, and Bill Egan, who had studied together at the University of Minnesota Law School. Chet Johnson and Ed Arundel subsequently joined the practice, and their names were incorporated into the firm’s historical names. For a short period, the organization was known as Rider Bennett Egan Johnson and Arundel. During most of its existence, however, it operated under the name Rider Bennett Egan & Arundel. The firm’s identity was therefore closely associated with its founding and subsequent partners rather than with a consumer-facing product brand. As a professional-services organization, its principal offering was legal representation and related legal advice, although the available reference material does not provide a detailed breakdown of its practice groups or sector specializations. Rider Bennett maintained offices at the 33 South Sixth building in Minneapolis from 2004. At the time it ceased operations, the firm had approximately 190 employees, including 90 attorneys. Former managing partner Gregory Weyandt attributed the firm’s failure in part to the expansion of national law firms in the legal-services market. That competitive pressure affected the firm’s ability to maintain an independent position in an increasingly consolidated market. The firm closed its doors at the end of May 2007. It had been unable to reach an accommodation with its former landlord and sought protection under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. The bankruptcy filing and closure marked the end of Rider Bennett as an operating law firm. No successor brand, continuing parent company, or current operating entity is identified in the available reference material.

Rider Bennett was founded in Minneapolis in 1960 by Stu Rider, Gene Bennett, and Bill Egan. The three founders had attended the University of Minnesota Law School together, providing the firm with an initial professional and institutional connection to Minnesota’s legal community. Two additional lawyers, Chet Johnson and Ed Arundel, later joined the practice and became part of its long-term identity. The firm used several names during its history. For a short period it was known as Rider Bennett Egan Johnson and Arundel. For most of its existence, it operated as Rider Bennett Egan & Arundel. These changes reflected the partnership structure typical of many law firms, where the names of prominent partners form the organization’s public identity. The available reference does not document a separate consumer brand, corporate parent, or successor organization. Rider Bennett remained based in Minneapolis and was a tenant at the 33 South Sixth office building from 2004. By the time of its closure, the firm had grown to approximately 190 employees, of whom 90 were attorneys. The available material does not specify the firm’s individual practice groups, major clients, geographic offices, or notable cases, so its business history is best understood through its role as an independent legal-services provider rather than through identifiable product lines. The firm’s final period was shaped by increasing competitive pressure in the legal market. Former managing partner Gregory Weyandt attributed the firm’s demise partly to the growth of national law firms. This development likely made it more difficult for an independent Minneapolis practice to compete for clients and resources, although the source does not provide detailed financial or operational data. Rider Bennett closed at the end of May 2007, completing 47 years of operation. The firm had been unable to reach an accommodation with its former landlord and sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The bankruptcy process accompanied the shutdown rather than a reorganization into a documented successor brand. Rider Bennett is therefore classified as a defunct professional-services brand and former law firm.

• 2007

  Operations end and Chapter 11 protection sought

  [1]Rider Bennetten.wikipedia.org

  The firm closed at the end of May after failing to reach an accommodation with its former landlord and sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

• 2004

  Tenancy at 33 South Sixth

  [1]Rider Bennetten.wikipedia.org

  Rider Bennett was a tenant at the 33 South Sixth office building in Minneapolis from 2004.

• 1960

  Firm founded in Minneapolis

  [1]Rider Bennetten.wikipedia.org

  Stu Rider, Gene Bennett, and Bill Egan founded the law firm after attending the University of Minnesota Law School together.

• Additional partners join the practice

  [1]Rider Bennetten.wikipedia.org

  Chet Johnson and Ed Arundel later joined the firm, contributing to subsequent versions of its partnership name.

A Minneapolis-based independent legal-services firm serving clients through attorney-led representation and legal counsel. The available sources do not identify specific practice areas or signature services.

• 2007

  Chapter 11 filing during firm shutdownOther

  Background

  Rider Bennett was unable to reach an accommodation with its former landlord as it prepared to cease operating. The firm also faced broader competitive pressure from the growth of national law firms.

  Action taken

  The firm closed its doors at the end of May 2007 and sought protection under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code.

  Aftermath

  The filing accompanied the end of the firm’s 47-year operation. No successor brand or continuing parent organization is identified in the available source.

  Source

1. 1Rider Bennetten.wikipedia.org