2024 DIVERSITY DATABASE UNDERWRITER A&O Shearman

Born of the 2024 merger of U.K.-based Allen & Overy and U.S.-based Shearman & Sterling, the new Allen Overy Shearman Sterling—more commonly known as A&O Shearman—has nearly 4,000 lawyers across 48 offices in 29 countries, with approximately 650 attorneys reporting to a U.S. office.

Both Sides of the Pond

Allen & Overy’s history goes back to 1930, when the firm was founded in London. Over the following decades, A&O became one of London’s most prominent legal shops, and expanded internationally. Founded in New York City over 150 years ago, Shearman & Sterling forged relationships with Wall Street powerhouse clients from the start. A&O Shearman builds on the significant global reach, rosters of well-known clients, and international prestige that Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling both bring to the new global legal force.

Global Coverage

A&O Shearman’s lineup of practices is comprehensive, including those at the center of macro global trends like energy transition, technology, and private capital. Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling regularly ranked in Vault’s Project Finance, Banking & Financial Services, and Securities/Capital Markets rankings; Allen & Overy ranked in Vault’s International and Energy, Oil & Gas rankings, as well; and the combined firm has 122 Band 1 Chambers practices globally.

The firm touts its combined reputation for unwavering commitment to delivering quality and promises to build an unparalleled firm with a forward-looking approach to delivering excellence and innovation for clients’ most complex matters.

• A&O Shearman represented Stelco Holdings Inc. in a definitive agreement to be acquired by Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. in a transaction with a total enterprise value of approximately $3.4 billion Canadian (or $2.5 billion U.S.).   
• A&O Shearman advised J.F. Lehman & Company on the closing of a single-asset continuation vehicle for PURIS, LLC, a leading water infrastructure solutions provider.   
• A&O Shearman has advised the lenders and joint lead managers on a series of financing transactions by International Workplace Group plc.  

Mansfield Certified Plus for U.S. and U.K., 2024—Diversity Lab

Most Innovative Law Firm in Europe, 2024—FT Innovative Lawyers Awards (Europe)

Ranked No. 6 for Summer Associate Satisfaction with inaugural A&O Shearman summer class, 2024—The American Lawyer