Baker Botts Attorneys Drink Beer and Nibble on Cheese as Obama Drives By

For the dozens of lawyers and friends of Baker Botts gathered on the firm's roof overlooking Pennsylvania Avenue on Monday afternoon, a presidential sighting proved elusive.

As chants of "Obama!" erupted from the crowd below, the partygoers who secured a good view of the parade caught only a glimpse of the presidential limo and its decoys. President Barack Obama was nowhere in sight.

But that didn't seem to dampen their spirits.

"It's terrific," Washington-based Baker Botts partner William Henry, a Republican, said of the inauguration. "It kind of reaffirms your joy in being American."

Inside the Baker Botts office, American pride was on display.

Partygoers nibbled on Red Hawk and bleu cheeses as they caught up with friends and watched the inauguration festivities on television from the comfort of the indoors. They also sipped some American beers, including Washington's own D.C. Brau.

Seth Taube, a New York-based Baker Botts partner, said the firm's location in Washington is a great asset.

"It's a very effective business development tool," Taube said.

Photograph of the Baker Botts party by Diego M. Radzinschi, National Law Journal