UK and Canadian firms OK 1,400-lawyer merger of equals, setting stage for more international growth
Two well-known law firms in Canada and the United Kingdom have agreed to a merger of equals, and are already looking ahead to further international expansion in upcoming years.
The approximately 1,400-attorney firm to be formed in January by Gowling Lafleur Henderson and Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co. will also have offices in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
“Both of our firms see this as just the beginning for Gowling WLG,” said Scott Jolliffe, who serves as chair and CEO of Gowlings, in a Wednesday press release. “Over the next few years, we will continue to enhance our global platform in strategic areas by adding other like-minded firms to Gowling WLG, with the goal of providing our clients with world-class legal expertise, seamless service and unparalleled value wherever their business takes them.”
However, the merged firm won’t be looking to locate in the U.S., Jolliffe told the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.). That’s because Gowlings and WLG already have relationships with U.S. law firms and don’t want to compete with them, he said.
The Chronicle Journal, the Financial Post and Reuters have stories.
