Winston & Strawn and Taylor Wessing UK partnerships vote in favour of combination to form Winston Taylor

Winston & Strawn LLP and Taylor Wessing’s UK-led business announced today that the partnerships of each firm have voted decisively in favor of combining to establish Winston Taylor, a premier transatlantic law firm.

The combination will create one of the world’s largest transatlantic law firms, with more than 1,400 lawyers primarily in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe, as well as Latin America and the Middle East. Building on deep experience and establishing significant scale in complex litigation, high-stakes transactions, strategic intellectual property, and private wealth, Winston Taylor will deliver best-in-class client service across key sectors, including technology, life sciences, and financial services.

“The decisive, overwhelming support from our partnerships reflects a shared passion and commitment to meeting our clients’ desire for a unified team across the Atlantic—one that delivers unparalleled advice and capability in the areas that matter most to them,” said Steve D’Amore, chairman of Winston, who will continue as chairman of the combined firm. “Winston Taylor is positioned to provide seamlessly integrated work across borders for the businesses, people, and markets which are driving capital and innovation.”

“This combination creates a transatlantic law firm in the major hubs of innovation and capital in the US, Europe, and the Middle East,” added Shane Gleghorn, managing partner of Taylor Wessing UK, who will serve as managing partner of Europe and Middle East for Winston Taylor and will become a member of its executive committee. “Our clients require a firm with premier teams in those hubs in relation to critical transactions, litigation, IP and private wealth.  Our partners, therefore, voted in favor of the combination because both firms have an absolute commitment to achieving our clients’ objectives, and that focus will be the foundation of our shared success.”

As part of the combination, Taylor Wessing the Netherlands and Belgium voted to enter an agreement to operate under the Winston Taylor brand. It is anticipated that the Netherlands and Belgian regions will, over time and subject to approvals, fully integrate into a single firm with the US and UK operations of Winston Taylor.

Winston Taylor has also agreed to a cooperation and referral arrangement with the legacy Taylor Wessing verein, in Germany and elsewhere, to provide continuous service to clients going forward.

After a period of partner-led integration, the combined firm is expected to launch officially in May 2026.