The law firm was founded in 1830 in New York City by Connecticut natives and brothers, John L. and James L. Graham, who established their legal practice at 143 Fulton Street, Manhattan,[1] today's Financial District.

The firm merged in 1852 with another legal partnership established by a member of the Curtis family and moved to new premises on Wall Street.

[2] The firm presently maintains its headquarters in the H. J. Kalikow and Co., Inc. building at 101 Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan.

The firm was retained by bankrupt investment bank Lehman Brothers to serve as conflicts counsel in its Chapter 11 proceedings when its lead counsel, Weil, Gotshal & Manges, cannot act due to conflicts of interest.

Noted clients also include Mexican state oil company Pemex and Venezuelan PDVSA.

[citation needed] Among the firm's pro bono publico endeavors was the representations of Stanley Williams in a death penalty appeal in the state of California.

Also in 2008, Curtis partner Santiago Corcuera was mentioned and quoted by the Latin Lawyer Magazine for his pro bono work in Mexico.