About Baker & McKEnzie
Liz Grimwood-Taylor, trainee, on secondment to Google
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Our History
Baker & McKenzie's roots stretch back to 1948 when Russell Baker and John McKenzie, both already successful lawyers, shared a taxi home from work in Chicago.
Russell Baker outlined his pioneering vision for creating a global law firm. Within a year, Baker & McKenzie was founded, with four lawyers and a secretary.
In 1955, Baker & McKenzie opened an office in Caracas, Venezuela, its first outside the United States. This was followed in 1957 and 1958 with offices in Brussels and Zurich. It was part of a rapid growth period that saw the opening of 17 new offices, including eight in Europe, in a decade.
The London office opened in 1961.
The Firm grew steadily over the next 25 years, opening up offices all over the world. In line with Russell Baker's global vision, each office was staffed by experienced, local lawyers with equal partnership rights.
In 1987, Baker & McKenzie became the first law firm to employ 1,000 lawyers, a number which had tripled by 2001. It was also the first to surpass US$1 billion in fees, a figure which had increased to US$2.19 billion by 2008.
Today, Baker & McKenzie employs approximately 3,900 lawyers in 69 offices across 41 jurisdictions.
Our Awards
Our numerous awards reflect the quality of our practice areas, the diversity of our workplace, our unique culture and our leading edge training and development programmes for graduates and employees.
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Key Practice Areas
An introduction to our 12 key practice areas
From Banking and Corporate to Structured Capital Markets and Wealth Management, you will sit in four departments as part of our seat rotation process. Hear more about the work of some of our key practice areas from partners based in Banking and Corporate.
CSR
Our approach to corporate social responsibility (CSR)
Trainees are actively encouraged to get involved in our CSR programme. The programme covers:
Charitable giving
Pro-bono
Diversity
Sustainability
After Hours
A taste of what to expect after-hours
Football, netball, hockey, cricket, rugby and yachting are just some of the sporting activities Baker & McKenzie makes available to trainees. A busy calendar of social events throughout the year also provides plenty of opportunities to meet colleagues and clients.
News
Baker & McKenzie Advises SOCAR on the Acquisition of Esso Schweiz GmbH
Baker & McKenzie has advised the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) on the acquisition of all shares in Esso Schweiz GmbH from ExxonMobil Central Europe Holding GmbH, a subsidairy of Exxon Mobil Corporation.
The acquisition of Esso Schweiz GmbH by SOCAR includes a retail station networ [...]
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Baker & McKenzie Names Ian Dinwiddie Its New Chief Financial Officer
Baker & McKenzie has appointed Ian Dinwiddie as its Global Chief Financial Officer, succeeding Robert Spencer, who has held senior roles in the Firm since 1993. As CFO, Mr. Dinwiddie will be responsible for developing and driving the strategic financial initiatives of the world’s largest law firm. [...]
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2012 Chambers Student Guide - True Picture
It was founded in Chicago in 1949, but don’t call it American – if ever a firm was international in nature, it’s this one.
Life begins at 50
Baker & McKenzie's 69 offices in 41 countries [...]
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Baker & McKenzie Advises LaSalle Investment Management on European Investment Portfolio Acquisition
Baker & McKenzie has advised global real estate investment company LaSalle Investment Management (LaSalle) on its acquisition of JER Partners' European Real Estate Funds platform. The transaction, which is subject to JER investor approval, is set to enhance LaSalle's European te [...]
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Baker & McKenzie Advises Ford on Joint Venture with Sollers
Baker & McKenzie advised Ford Motor Company on a 50:50-owned joint venture with Sollers OJSC, one of Russia's leading automotive companies. The Ford Sollers JV started operation on 1 October 2011, just eight months after the two companies signed the initial memorandum of understanding.
The new Ford Sollers [...]
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