Mudge Stern had long been one of the biggest firms on Wall Street, but prior to Richard Nixon’s arrival, the firm had been in decline. It desperately needed a “public partner”—a well-known lawyer who could bring in clients and prestige. Nixon fit the bill perfectly—having amassed a long Rolodex of wealthy and influential business and political contacts. Plus, his notoriety guaranteed press coverage, especially as a skeptical press and political corps wondered whether Nixon had really given up on his White House dream.

In his years at Nixon Mudge, the future president brought in several major clients, including Pepsi-Cola Co., Richfield Oil Corp., Precision Valve Corp., and Mitsui & Co.

Nixon in New York is the first book written by Victor Li, an assistant managing editor at the ABA Journal.

Read an excerpt from Nixon in New York in the May 2018 issue of the ABA Journal.