The Earl Colson story is a story of commitment and integrity. It is the story of a man who has dedicated his personal and professional life to defending the things he cares about the most – his family, his country, his faith and the law.

Born to Abe and Betty Colson in New York City on March 8, 1930, Earl Colson grew up in Brooklyn along with his older brother Roy. With a love for music that would last all his life, Earl played piano in a jazz band as a teenager while earning top grades at Erasamus High School.  An exceptional student, Earl graduated magna cum laude from Syracuse University in only three years.

His nation at war, Earl joined the military after college, becoming the youngest officer in the United States Army during the Korean War, serving honorably in the Field Artillery.

At the conclusion of his military service, Earl entered Harvard Law School.

After graduating magna cum laude from Harvard in 1957, he returned to New York City to begin practicing law, launching a legendary legal career that has lasted more than half a century.

1960 was a truly significant year in Earl Colson’s life. In the spring of that year, he wed Helen Austern in Washington, DC, beginning a marriage that would go on to produce three children – Adam, Amy, and Deborah – and lasts to this day.

1960 was also the year that Earl Colson joined the Washington, DC office of a law firm that today is Arent Fox LLP.

Fifty years later, Earl still comes to his office at Arent Fox every day, serving his clients as one of the most respected and revered estate planning and tax attorneys in the nation’s capital.

In the course of his time in Arent Fox, Earl has earned a reputation as one of Washington, DC’s best attorneys. News organizations such as ABC News, Reuters, the Washington Business Journal and BNA’s Daily Report for Executives frequently turn to Earl when seeking commentary and analysis of some of the most complex legal issues of the day.

He has received countless accolades from his peers as recognizing him as a leading legal authority and one of the best lawyers in America.

Earl’s love of the law led him to join the faculty at Georgetown University Law Center, where he served as an adjunct professor from 1970 through 2003. In 1990, he received Georgetown’s Charles Fahy Distinguished Adjunct Professor Award.

In his 50 years at Arent Fox, Earl has distinguished himself not only as an attorney, but also as a treasured colleague and dear friend. In addition to his uncanny legal abilities, his wit, charm and good nature has made him a truly beloved figure at the firm. His patience and willingness to help young attorneys has led many at Arent Fox, both past and present, to view him as their mentor and inspiration, earning him their everlasting and deepest gratitude.

Outside of the law, nothing is more important to Earl than his family and his faith. His wife Helen, his three children and four grandchildren are source of constant joy for him. In 1979, Earl became a member of the board of directors of the Washington Hebrew Congregation on which he served for many years. From 1990 to 1992, he was president of the congregation.

The story of Earl Colson is a story of dedication, leadership, service and success. Earl Colson’s story is Arent Fox’s story.