What the Combination Is
U.S. law firm Winston & Strawn LLP and the UK arm of Taylor Wessing have agreed to combine their practices into a new transatlantic law firm — to be called Winston Taylor — in a move scheduled for May 2026, pending partner votes and regulatory approvals. (AFP)
This is not a typical referral partnership — it’s a formal combination of firms from different jurisdictions, creating a global entity with:
- ~1,400 lawyers,
- ~20 offices across the U.S., UK, Europe, Middle East, and Latin America, and
- Estimated combined revenue of around $1.6 billion to $1.75 billion. (Reuters)
That scale positions Winston Taylor among the larger transatlantic law firms globally. (AFP)
Strategic Rationale Behind the Deal
Transatlantic Client Demand
Both firms say clients increasingly need seamless legal support across the U.S., UK, and EU, especially in areas such as:
- complex litigation,
- corporate and transactional work,
- intellectual property (IP),
- private equity,
- finance,
- regulatory and antitrust, and
- private wealth. (AFP)
The merger aims to create “end‑to‑end capabilities” across jurisdictions so clients don’t need separate local counsel. (AFP)
Complementary Strengths
- Winston & Strawn: deep U.S. litigation and transactional pedigree, long history (founded 1853), strong presence in major U.S. business hubs. (AFP)
- Taylor Wessing UK: strong UK/EU IP, life sciences, technology and private wealth practices. (AFP)
Combining these specialisms is intended to let Winston Taylor compete on global multijurisdictional matters more effectively than either firm could alone. (AFP)
Broader Market Context
This deal is part of an ongoing wave of consolidation in the legal sector, especially between U.S. and UK/EU firms seeking scale in a slow‑growth legal market. Other recent or pending combinations include Ashurst with Perkins Coie, and Herbert Smith Freehills with Kramer Levin. (Reuters)
How the New Firm Will Be Structured
Leadership & Governance
- Steve D’Amore, current Chairman of Winston & Strawn, will serve as Chairman of Winston Taylor. (AFP)
- Shane Gleghorn, Managing Partner of Taylor Wessing UK, will become Managing Partner for Europe & the Middle East and join the new firm’s executive committee. (AFP)
Office and Geographic Footprint
The merged firm will operate 20 offices in key global centers — including London, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Amsterdam, Brussels, Dubai, São Paulo, and Silicon Valley. (AFP)
Organizational Transition
- Taylor Wessing’s UK, Netherlands, and Belgium offices will exit Taylor Wessing’s existing European “verein” network and join Winston Taylor. (AFP)
- Other Taylor Wessing verein units will remain independent but seek cooperation and referral relationships with Winston Taylor to maintain client service continuity. (Taylor Wessing)
Case‑Study Style Examples from Each Firm
Winston & Strawn
Litigation & IP Strength:
Winston has a renowned U.S. litigation and intellectual property practice. For example, it frequently represents major technology, life sciences, and financial services clients in high‑stakes litigation and complex transactional deals. This depth gives the combined firm potent U.S. litigation firepower. (AFP)
Historical Legacy:
Founded in 1853, Winston is one of the older large U.S. firms — reflecting deep bench strength in regulatory, antitrust and transactional work that appeals to multinational clients. (AFP)
Taylor Wessing UK
IP and Tech Sector Leadership:
Taylor Wessing UK has a strong reputation in intellectual property, life sciences, technology, and private wealth. Its Tier‑1 UK/EU IP expertise will combine with Winston’s U.S. litigation strength to create a transatlantic IP platform. (Archyde)
Regional Expertise:
The UK firm’s footprint across London, Dublin, and the Middle East gives the new entity strong connectivity to European legal markets that Winston historically lacked. (AFP)
Benelux Presence:
Taylor Wessing’s Netherlands and Belgium practices will also integrate under Winston Taylor, broadening continental reach. (Archyde)
Industry & Market Commentary
On Strategic Intent
Both leadership teams emphasize growth and client service as the primary merger drivers — not survival. Taylor Wessing has explicitly rejected the notion that it is a rescue deal, framing the combination as a strategic expansion. (FN London)
Transatlantic Demand
Legal industry observers note that clients increasingly want seamless cross‑border support — especially in tech, life sciences, and finance — motivating firms to seek scale across key markets. (Reuters)
Cultural & Practical Challenges
Commentary from legal professionals — including on forums like Reddit — suggests some skepticism about cultural fit and execution challenges. Some practitioners question whether the practices are aligned in fee structures, partner compensation, and work expectations. (Reddit)
This reflects a common theme in large law firm combinations: strategic logic does not always guarantee smooth integration. (Reddit)
What This Merger Means
For Clients
- Broader capabilities: Clients will get unified cross‑border legal teams covering litigation, transactions, IP, and regulatory work under a single brand. (AFP)
- Reduced fragmentation: Eliminates the need for separate counsel in the U.S. and Europe for complex matters. (AFP)
For the Firms
- Positioning Among Global Players: With ~1,400 lawyers and ~$1.6–1.75 billion in revenue, the new firm will compete with other global law leaders. (Bloomberg Law)
- Enhanced Sector Reach: Strong IP, tech, life sciences, finance, and regulatory practices give a diversified client portfolio. (Archyde)
Operational Risks
- Integration complexity: Merging different compensation systems, cultures, and governance models could pose challenges. (Reddit)
- Partner approvals: The deal depends on partner votes in both firms — if not achieved, plans could change. (Bloomberg Law)
In Summary
Winston & Strawn and Taylor Wessing UK have agreed to combine into a new transatlantic law firm called Winston Taylor, targeted for completion in May 2026. The merger brings together complementary strengths — U.S. litigation and transactional capabilities with UK/EU IP and technology practices — forming a global platform of ~1,400 lawyers and ~20 offices across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America. (AFP)
Industry implications include deeper transatlantic legal capabilities for multinational clients, continued consolidation in the legal market, and practical integration challenges as the two firms unify culture, operations, and strategy. (Reuters)
Here’s a case‑study style breakdown and expert commentary on the combination of Winston & Strawn and Taylor Wessing UK that will form a major transatlantic law firm — including examples of how this deal compares with other legal‑market combinations and what industry reaction looks like.
Deal Overview — What’s Happening
Winston & Strawn (a major U.S. firm) and the UK arm of Taylor Wessing have announced they will combine to create a new transatlantic law firm called Winston Taylor, with plans to complete the integration in May 2026, subject to partner votes and approvals. (AFP)
Key facts about the deal:
- ~1,400 lawyers across 20 offices in the U.S., UK, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America. (AFP)
- Estimated combined revenue of about $1.6–1.75 billion. (Bloomberg Law)
- Offices span Chicago, London, New York, San Francisco, Amsterdam, Brussels, Dubai and more. (Archyde)
- Leadership split: Winston’s Chairman Steve D’Amore will chair the new firm, while Shane Gleghorn from Taylor Wessing UK will be managing partner for Europe & the Middle East. (AFP)
Part of Taylor Wessing’s network — notably the Netherlands and Belgium offices — will operate under the Winston Taylor brand; others will maintain a referral/co‑operation relationship with the remaining Taylor Wessing verein for continuity. (Taylor Wessing)
Case Study — Strategic Rationale & Outcomes
1. Complementary Strengths Combined
Winston & Strawn:
- Strong U.S. litigation, corporate, regulatory and transactional practices.
- Experienced in high‑stakes litigation and complex corporate deals.
- Generates significant revenue (over $1.27 bn reported before the merger). (Bloomberg Law)
Taylor Wessing UK:
- Highly rated UK/EU practice in intellectual property, life sciences, technology and private wealth.
- Its UK division has strong performance metrics and client relationships in key sectors. (Archyde)
Resulting platform (Winston Taylor) will offer:
- A top‑tier transatlantic IP capability by blending Taylor Wessing’s holistic EU practice with Winston’s U.S. IP litigation strength. (AFP)
- Broader global corporate and private equity capabilities across major legal markets. (Archyde)
Case insight: This mirrors other large‑firm strategies where combining regionally strong specialists with broad global practices creates a more competitive full‑service platform — a trend seen in other recent mergers between U.S. and UK/EU firms. (Reuters)
2. Comparison With Broader Legal Industry Trends
This combination comes at a time when transatlantic law firm mergers are accelerating as firms seek:
- Scale to cover global clients seamlessly across jurisdictions.
- Diversified practice areas (litigation + transactional + IP + regulatory).
- Stronger footprints in the U.S. market for UK/EU firms and vice‑versa.
Comparable transatlantic activity (context):
- Ashurst + Perkins Coie (aiming for a ~$2.7 bn combined firm). (Reuters)
- Herbert Smith Freehills + Kramer Levin — another U.S.–UK tie‑up. (Reuters)
Case observation: Winston Taylor will be among the largest transatlantic firms outside the elite global tier, using scale and strategic coverage to compete for cross‑border work in tech, life sciences, finance, and private wealth. (Bloomberg Law)
Industry & Market Reaction
Firm Leadership Comments
- Steve D’Amore (Winston Chairman): The deal fulfills a “long‑held ambition” to grow in the UK while preserving culture and client focus. (AFP)
- Shane Gleghorn (Taylor Wessing UK): Emphasized shared vision, values and commitment to high‑level client service. (Indian Conventions)
These comments highlight strategic fit rather than a rescue move, with both sides framing the combination as growth‑oriented. (FN London)
Market Commentary & Skepticism
Professional commentary and community reactions — for example in legal forums — point to mixed sentiment about how well two distinct firm cultures will integrate:
- Some legal professionals question whether the differing practice models and compensation cultures (U.S. vs UK firm norms) will mesh smoothly. (Reddit)
- Others note this isn’t a merger of equals — it feels more like a strategic acquisition by Winston of UK market heft and specialist practices. (Reddit)
This mirrors classic integration risk in law firm combinations where scale and practice diversity don’t automatically resolve cultural or compensation differences.
What This Merger Means in Practical Terms
For Clients:
- Seamless cross‑border service — one firm handling U.S., EU, UK and Middle East legal needs. (AFP)
- End‑to‑end counsel across litigation, transactions, IP, regulatory and more. (Archyde)
- Coverage of key sectors such as tech, life sciences and finance via combined expertise. (Indian Conventions)
For the Firms:
- Increased global market positioning and competitiveness among large firms serving multinational clients. (Bloomberg Law)
- Ability to retain and attract talent by offering broader career pathways internationally. (Industry interpretation)
For the Legal Market:
- Reinforces the consolidation trend in Big Law where geographic reach and practice depth are critical in a slow‑growth legal demand environment. (Reuters)
Summary — Case‑Study Insights & Comments
| Aspect | Winston & Strawn / Taylor Wessing Combination |
|---|---|
| Scale & Footprint | ~1,400 lawyers, 20 global offices (U.S., UK, EU, ME, LatAm) (Archyde) |
| Revenue Impact | ~$1.6–1.75 billion in combined annual revenue (Bloomberg Law) |
| Leadership Structure | Winston chair retains leadership; Taylor UK lead heads EMEA operations (AFP) |
| Strategic Fit | U.S. litigation/transactions + UK/EU IP/tech strength (Archyde) |
| Client Impact | Unified, global cross‑border services and integrated client teams (Indian Conventions) |
| Market Commentary | Viewed as strategic growth deal with some cultural/compensation integration risk (Reddit) |
Takeaway: The combination of Winston & Strawn with Taylor Wessing UK to form Winston Taylor is a notable transatlantic law‑firm merger that reflects evolving client needs for integrated legal services across jurisdictions. While it promises significant breadth and scale, successful integration — culturally and operationally — remains a key test ahead of its planned May 2026 launch. (AFP)