Suits is an outstanding legal drama, but there is one element of the show that seemed to constantly be changing - the name of the firm. Suits first began airing in 2011, with the series largely following the career tracks of ambitious lawyers as they tried to climb their way up the ladder. Harvey Specter, one of the primary characters throughout the entire series, was a partner at the Pearson Hardman law firm, but his goals were much loftier as he wanted to secure a position as a named partner.

However, Specter wasn't the only one who had his sights set on becoming a named partner, as his rival and fellow partner in the firm, Louis Litt, also chased the same title. Over the course of the show, there are several power struggles, and the firm goes through many changes in leadership, which can be difficult to keep track of as the series progresses. However, the history of the firm is well laid out in the show, despite being spread across Suits' 134 episodes in nine seasons.

13 Gordon Schmidt Van Dyke (Partners: Stanley Gordon, Schmidt, and Charles Van Dyke)

Before Suits Season 1

To really get a grasp of the firm, it's worth looking back at the formation of the firm where Specter and the others work. Prior to the show beginning, neither Jessica Pearson nor Daniel Hardman had their names on the wall. Before them, three lawyers by the names of Stanley Gordon, Schmidt, and Charles Van Dyke were the leaders of the firm. They had taken control of the firm from the original founder, Arthur Reeves, but they soon experienced karma from future lawyers in the same manner.

Little is known about the cases for the firm during this time.

This is seen during the show in flashbacks, when these lawyers were ousted from their positions through the efforts of Jessica Pearson and Daniel Hardman, who were then able to take control of the firm and put their names on the wall in 2003. At this time, Harvey Specter was only a mailroom employee, while Louis Litt was an associate. Paul Porter was also a senior partner at the time. Little is known about the cases for the firm during this time.

12 Pearson Hardman (Partners: Jessica Pearson and Daniel Hardman)

Suits Season 1 - 2

Jessica Pearson and Daniel Hardman then enjoyed several years working together to lead the firm to new heights of success. This format was how the firm looked when Suits started, and by this time, Harvey Specter and Louis Litt were senior partners. The company also created by-laws, including the rule that only Harvard Law graduates could be hired and that a junior partner could be promoted to senior partner every year.

Hardman's name stayed on the wall for a few more years.

However, Pearson and Hardman did eventually end up falling out when Hardman began operating in shady dealings like the three lawyers who came before him and Jessica. However, even when Pearson managed to force Hardman to leave the company in her capable hands through blackmailing him about his extramarital affairs, his name stayed on the wall for a few more years, potentially to keep customers happy and avoid unnecessary drama.

This era was when Harvey brought in Mike to work for the firm. Five years after Jessica forced him out, Hardman's wife died, and he returned since she had nothing else on him. He tried to create division in an attempt to force Jessica out. This finally came to an end when Harvey Specter and Mike Ross ousted Hardman completely, and Jessica Pearson took complete control.

11 Unofficially - Pearson (Partners: Jessica Pearson)

End Of Suits Season 2

Hardman handed over the role of managing partner to Pearson in 2007. However, several years later, when his wife died in 2012, Hardman returned to stake his claim on the company and attempt a hostile takeover. Hardman managed to get some success, briefly taking control back from Pearson, but with Harvey and Mike's help, his return was brief.

Hardman was dismissed, and to avoid further issues, his name was removed from the firm, briefly and unofficially being renamed, Pearson. Despite being unofficial, it was the simplest title of the firm in the entire nine-season run of Suits. With that said, it didn't last for long. That is because Hardman was angry at his dismissal and helped Allison Holt and Robert Zane file 45 different cases against Pearson, but she didn't have the financial resources to fight these battles. Jessica had to reach out to someone for help.

10 Pearson Darby (Partners: Jessica Pearson, Edward Darby)

Suits Season 3

Thanks to the chaos and ruin caused by Hardman's attempt at a hostile takeover, Pearson needed help to keep the firm afloat. A mountain of legal issues and cases against the firm threatened to put an end to Pearson's firm, but fortunately, a successful British lawyer who founded Darby International saw an opportunity and took it.

Edward Darby ed Pearson's firm, and thus the name was changed to Pearson Darby to reflect the change in leadership. With the change, Darby kept Pearson's name first to show it was her firm, and it was his money that helped her stay afloat. However, this resulted in Harvey feeling somewhat slighted, as he hoped to be awarded a promotion to a partner for his part in bringing Pearson back. The good news is that it didn't last long, and Harvey soon cut a deal with Darby.

9 Pearson Darby Specter (Partners: Jessica Pearson, Edward Darby, Harvey Specter)

Suits Season 3

The fact that Pearson was able to keep her position in the firm was in large part thanks to Harvey Specter. Part of his goal in helping Jessica was to get his name on the door. When Edward Darby entered the scene, Harvey found another potential route to achieving his goal. He worked with Darby and his associates in order to stage a coup and overthrow Pearson, and then he took her position as managing partner.

However, Jessica reveals her plans to promote Harvey to name him as her partner, and he then reveals his back alley deal. Harvey backed out of his attempt to run the coup on Jessica, and peace returned to the firm. After this, Pearson still ed Harvey, and the firm was renamed Pearson Darby Specter. This was a period of turmoil and backstabbing, and it was difficult seeing Harvey plotting behind Jessica's back, although it all turned out well in the end.

8 Pearson Specter (Partners: Jessica Pearson, Harvey Specter)

Suits Season 3

Within the same season, the more shady dealings of Edward Darby and his associates are uncovered. As a result of finding the less-than-savory details, Harvey and Pearson team up to overthrow Darby and dissolve the merger. This situation involved the Hassington Oil murder trial, which saw Darby lose his license to practice law in the United States in a deal with prosecutor Cameron Dennis. What he never realized was this was a plan by Jessica to gain control back of her firm.

This takes place in episode 9 of season 3, and results in yet another name change to Pearson Specter. The dissolution of the merger allowed Darby International to be reinstated and restored in London and Jessica and Harvey became the new sole partners in America. This title could have potentially lasted longer, but thanks to meddling and secrets being dug up by others at the firm, it was one of the more short-lived titles for the firm.

7 Pearson Specter Litt (Partners: Jessica Pearson, Harvey Specter, Louis Litt)

Suits Season 4 - 7

The following season, Harvey's long-time rival, Louis Litt, finally makes his move to get his name on the door as well. Louis discovers the secret about Mike Ross's lack of qualifications, and through blackmail, he manages to persuade Jessica Pearson to promote him to name partner. This serves him well as he finally gets what he wants, but he also now shares in the culpability and liability of keeping Mike's secret, so his company doesn't go under.

PSL is also the title which the firm held for the longest period during the show's run.

PSL is also the title which the firm held for the longest period during the show's run. However, humorously, even with Litt getting his name on the door, most people and clients still referred to it as Pearson Specter, showing no respect to Louis Litt during his time as a name partner. For the next three seasons, this was the firm that represented all the cases, and it was the most successful until Mike ended up being arrested and pleading guilty to his crimes, which almost destroyed the entire firm.

6 Specter Litt (Partners: Harvey Specter, Louis Litt)

Suits Season 7

At the end of season 6, Jessica Pearson takes the fall for Mike Ross. This was a tough time for the firm, as almost everyone quit after Mike's guilty plea except for Jessica, Harvey, Louis, Donna Paulsen, Rachel Zane, Gretchen Bodinski and Benjamin. However, it was great for Pearson, as she realized that she had forgotten why she wanted to be a lawyer in the first place, and it wasn't for in-fighting and corporate takeovers. She ended up disbarred in New York, so the firm had to remove her as a partner.

Her willingness to take the hit results in gratitude and leniency from Harvey Specter, Mike's mentor and the man who was actually responsible. It isn't until it becomes absolutely necessary later in season 7 that they consider changing the name of the firm to reflect Pearson's departure. However, due to the public backlash, the name Pearson is removed, leaving the firm as Specter Litt. Jessica officially left the first and the show at this time.

5 Zane Specter Litt (Partners: Robert Zane, Harvey Specter, Louis Litt)

Suits Season 7 - 8

With Jessica Pearson gone, Specter Litt faced another major challenge, as lawyers in an opposing firm called Rand, Kaldor & Zane attempted to take advantage of the firm's fragile state and take control. Just when it looks like Specter Litt could be dissolved, Robert Zane, one of the partners in the opposing firm, agrees to the firm as a name partner and brings several senior partners with him to effectively rescue the company.

While this does still limit the control that Harvey and Louis have, it does give them a lifeline with an incredibly experienced lawyer like Zane, who chooses to work with them, rather than take over entirely. However, at the same time, Harvey and Robert both wanted to be the managing partner, and they had overlapping clients, causing the two to go to war with each other, and that meant this name change would end later in season 8.

4 Zane Specter Litt Wheeler Williams (Partners: Robert Zane, Harvey Specter, Louis Litt, Samantha Wheeler, Alex Williams)

Suits Season 8

Season 8 features even more struggles as some of the newer talent in the firm compete for their names to the masthead of the company. Robert Zane brought his protégé with him from his previous firm, Samantha Wheeler, and as a reward for her loyalty, Zane promotes her to name partner.

However, a deal struck by Harvey earlier, with a lawyer named Alex Williams being promised the next promotion to name partner would go to him. As a result, both are promoted, and the firm has its longest title of the entire series run, Zane Specter Litt Wheeler Williams. This entire feud between Harvey and Robert, and the struggles with bringing in two new name partners, showed Harvey he wasn't managing partner material, and he turned this over to Robert, which lasted until late in season 8.