Dana Latham and Paul Watkins founded Latham & Watkins in January 1934 in Los Angeles, California. Latham's practice focused on state and federal tax law and he eventually served as Commissioner of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service under President Dwight Eisenhower. Watkins's practice focused primarily on labor. The firm grew slowly, with only 19 attorneys employed as of 1960. Beginning in the 1970s, the firm grew rapidly, opening new offices in Orange County, Washington D.C., San Diego, Chicago, and New York. In the 1990, the firm opened its first international office in London. Since then, it has continued to expand internationally with new offices in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.