Baker McKenzie

Chairman of the Executive Committee, Global: Milton W. M. Cheng
Number of partners worldwide: 1,400
Number of fee-earners worldwide: 7,000+

Firm Overview:
Baker McKenzie helps clients overcome the challenges of competing in the global economy. The firm solves complex legal problems across borders and practice areas. Its unique culture, developed over 60 years, inspires its people to:
■ Understand local markets and customs
■ Navigate multiple jurisdictions
■ Work together as trusted colleagues and friends
■ Instill confidence in its clients

There is no doubt these are unsettling times for business. It is a time of relentless volatility and ambiguity: with the complexities of globalisation, economic and political uncertainty, disruptive new business models, cyber insecurity and multiplying layers of regulation. The firm’s clients want a new breed of lawyers who can look a decade or more ahead to help them navigate a constantly changing and challenging world. As well as technical legal skills this also requires a deep understanding of the industry and business of each client. And it means having lawyers who can anticipate what is coming next from a regulatory or industry perspective and are comfortable with business level discussions. Baker McKenzie more than meets these challenges. Its people share common values of integrity, personal responsibility and tenacity in an enthusiastic client-service culture. The firm is still guided by the entrepreneurial spirit and demanding standards of its founders and works to forge close personal relationships among its professionals in order to foster the responsiveness and accountability clients rightfully expect. The firm has a diverse and welcoming culture. Its lawyers and other professionals are citizens of more than 70 countries and are admitted to practice in nearly 250 jurisdictions. The firm speaks more than 80 languages, with English in common. It has offices in 77 locations worldwide, including in 36 of the world’s 40 largest economies.

Main Areas of Practice:
■ Antitrust & Competition
■ Automotive
■ Banking & Finance
■ Capital Markets
■ Compliance & Investigations
■ Consumer & Retail
■ Dispute Resolution
■ Employment
■ Energy, Mining & Infrastructure
■ Environment & Climate Change
■ Financial Institutions
■ Healthcare & Life Sciences
■ Hotels, Resorts & Tourism
■ Insurance
■ Intellectual Property
■ International Trade & Commerce
■ IT/Communications
■ Luxury & Fashion
■ Mergers & Acquisitions
■ Private Equity
■ Real Estate
■ Restructuring & Insolvency
■ Tax
■ Technology, Media & Telecommunications

Clients:
Baker McKenzie serves more than half of the world’s largest public companies as well as a broad spectrum of regional and local organisations. With its diverse capabilities and experience, the firm advises leading clients in most major industries. The firm has particular experience in banking and financial services; chemicals and petrochemicals; construction; consumer products; energy and utilities; entertainment and media; insurance; mining; oil and gas; pharmaceuticals and healthcare products; professional services; real estate; technology; telecommunications; tourism; and transport and infrastructure.

International Recognition:
The firm has been named the world’s No. 1 law firm brand for nine consecutive years in Acritas Sharplegal Global Elite Brand Index 2018, Asia Pacific No.1 law firm brand for the third consecutive year in Acritas Asia Pacific Brand Index 2019, and is among the top law firm brands in the 2019 US Law Firm Brand Index and Europe’s strongest law brand in the 2018 Acritas Mainland Europe Index. Baker McKenzie is one of only a few firms in the world to be recognised in all of the Financial Times Innovative Lawyer Awards globally, ranking among the top 20 law firms in North America in 2016 and has been recognised for Innovation in New Products in Europe in 2018. Chambers recognised Baker McKenzie in Latin America as Client Service Award Winner in 2015-2016 and Firm of the Year in Europe in 2017. The firm was awarded Most Innovative International Firm 2015-19 and Best International Firm for ProBono Work 2016 in Euromoney LMG Europe Women in Business Law Awards. For the 10th consecutive year, the firm has received a perfect score on the Corporate Equality Index 2019, administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. Baker McKenzie has been one of Corporate Board Member magazine’s Most Admired Law Firms since the survey began in 2001 and has been ranked among the top 30 law firms in BTI Consulting’s Client Service A-Team for the last 12 years.

Social Commitment:
Baker McKenzie invests in communities where its people live and work, and is a pioneer in teaming with its clients on corporate social responsibility efforts worldwide. The firm leverages its global network and legal skills to work on complex, cross-border pro bono projects that meaningfully advance fundamental rights and opportunities for people in need throughout the world. As the first truly global law firm, Baker McKenzie embraces diversity among its lawyers, staff and clients – and the resulting variety of backgrounds and perspectives that lead to practical solutions and innovation. And as a vanguard in climate change law, the firm’s respect for the environment extends to how it does business. Its commitment to sustainability is reflected in efforts to reduce its environmental footprint through initiatives like recycling, alternative energy use and carbon offsets.