Another big transatlantic merger appears to be looming after it emerged that Taylor Wessing is in advanced talks with 1,000-attorney-strong Winston & Strawn. 

Chicago-headquartered Winston has 14 offices, of which 10 are in the US. Its other locations are Sao Paulo, Brussels,  Paris and an office in London’s Bishopsgate. Earlier this year, the firm posted profit per equity partner of $3.5m (£2.6m at today’s exchange rate) on net income up 10% to $410m.  The firm’s success was reportedly bolstered by strong demand in specialised finance, digital assets, high-stakes litigation, and private equity and M&A work.

For 2024-25, Taylor Wessing announced UK profits up 12.3% to £103m on revenue up 15% to £283.7m. Global revenue grew by 10.1% to a record £526.2m. Profit per equity partner rose by 21% to £1.1m. 

The 1,250-lawyer firm, which declined to comment, has 26 offices in 16 locations, including New York and San Francisco.  

Today’s news follows last month’s announcement that commercial heavyweights Ashurst and US-based Perkins Coie are to merge, creating a top-20 global legal practice. That deal is the largest transatlantic law firm merger since Allen & Overy’s combination with Shearman last year.