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History
HIGGS, FLETCHER & MACK was established in 1939. It remains San Diego's oldest and largest law firm located exclusively in San Diego. The Firm was founded by two of San Diego's most prominent lawyers: DeWitt "Dutch" Higgs (1907-1994) and Ferdinand "Ferd" Fletcher (1911-2005). Dutch Higgs was a revered trial lawyer and the first San Diegan to be president of the California State Bar. He was also a Regent and later chairman of the Regents of the University of California. Ferd Fletcher was a prominent business and corporate lawyer and one of the remaining core members of the pioneering and philanthropic San Diego Fletcher Family. In the 1940's, Henry "Pitts" Mack (1909-1974), a nationally prominent trial attorney, joined the Firm. Pitts' family was known for its influence and developments in the trucking industry. Ultimately, these founders instilled a measurable and lasting professional culture with the Firm. Ethical integrity and professional excellence remain the Firm's cornerstones - evident to its members, its clients and its competition.
In 1941, Cyrus Monroe and Wes McInnis, a boyhood friend of Ferd's, founded the closely related law firm of Monroe & McInnis which became a prominent San Diego litigation firm. Both the Higgs firm and the McInnis firm grew and gained prominence in the community during the ensuing decades, never losing sight of their obligations to serve their community and clients professionally, with integrity and honor.
McInnis & Monroe is the genesis of the Firm later known as McInnis, Fitzgerald, Rees & Sharkey, which merged with Higgs, Fletcher & Mack in 1999, substantially strengthening the Firm's litigation presence. Since the merger with the McInnis firm, Higgs, Fletcher & Mack has continued to expand its practice areas by absorbing boutique firms and specialists in Securities, Tax, Intellectual Property, and Healthcare.
The Firm's attorneys have a long tradition of community and bar association service. Dutch Higgs started this tradition when he was elected President of the San Diego County Bar Association in 1940 and subsequently with his State Bar chairmanship in 1955. Five other attorneys from the combined firms of Higgs and McInnis subsequently headed the local Bar Association (Ferd Fletcher in 1953, Wes McInnis in 1957, Pitts Mack in 1959, Gary Bailey in 1979, and Craig Higgs, Dutch's son, in 1984). The Firm also has an impressive list of former attorneys who have and are serving as judges in both the San Diego Superior Court and the Court of Appeal.
The founders of Higgs, Fletcher & Mack left behind a vibrant, responsible and committed institution, which has continued to grow and prosper. A great deal has happened over the years, but what will never change is the Firm's commitment to its clients, to its colleagues, and to the San Diego community.
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