Taylor Wessing is in talks with US firm Winston & Strawn, potentially creating a powerful global legal entity
Taylor Wessing, the UK-based law firm, is in advanced talks to merge with the US law firm Winston & Strawn, according to reports. The Chicago-headquartered Winston & Strawn, with 1,000 attorneys across 14 offices, is a well-established player in the global legal market, particularly in specialised finance, high-stakes litigation, private equity, and M&A work. The firm’s success was reflected in its recent financial performance, with a profit per equity partner of $3.5 million and a 10% increase in net income to $410 million.
Winston & Strawn operates offices in key cities such as São Paulo, Brussels, Paris, and London, with its largest presence in the US. The proposed merger with Taylor Wessing, a firm with 1,250 lawyers and a strong track record of growth, would significantly expand both firms’ transatlantic footprint.
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Taylor Wessing’s recent financial performance was also strong, with UK profits increasing by 12.3% to £103 million and global revenue rising by 10.1% to a record £526.2 million. The firm, which has 26 offices in 16 locations, including New York and San Francisco, is reportedly seeking to bolster its US presence through the merger with Winston & Strawn.
This news follows the announcement last month of another significant transatlantic merger between Ashurst and US-based Perkins Coie, which is expected to create a top-20 global legal practice. This potential Taylor Wessing and Winston & Strawn deal, if it goes through, would further solidify the trend of international law firms joining forces in the competitive global legal market.
Both firms declined to comment on the ongoing talks.