Edwards Wildman Palmer Goes Global as an International Law Firm

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On October 1^st, 2011, Edwards Wildman Palmer (EWP) announced, as part of a news release, the company’s plans to go global . The law firm’s decided to set itself up to practice law on an international playing field came about after a successful merging of two law firms: Boston-based Edwards Angell Palmer and Dodge LLP  (with a Hartford office) to Chicago law firm with Wildman Harrold Allen and Dixon LLP.

The completion of this merger gave the new law firm (EWP,) based out of Boston, the chance to see growth happen on a large scale. The combination of resources, employees and office locations has set the firm up to work with clients from international countries. The firm, even with its large employee roster, continues to hire employees to work in one of its many offices around the world. EWP hired a new partner, Stuart Blythe, to work out of the firm’s London office. This the third partner that EWP has hired who used to work for Bird&Bird. Blythe is experienced in corporate, M&A and commercial law. Richard Graham, also from Bird&Bird, is a new partner for EWP with extensive knowledge of intellectual property. The third partner that EWP gained form the Bird&Bird, is Charles Proctor, who specializes in banking law. Each of these individuals will add  their unique experience to the London office which has 37 associates, according to legalweek.com. Other offices of EWP will likely see associates and partners added to the roster, especially those with extensive knowledge and experience  in one or two areas of the law.

  

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Bob Shuftan, who will work as a deputy managing partner and chair of the Strategic Planning Committee, says that the chance to go global was a result of the well-oiled merge between the two firms. The merger took place without a hitch because of “the smooth integration of the two legacy firms and the outstanding start we have already made bodes well for Edwards Wildman and its clients, who already benefit from the expanded range of services and larger geographical reach,” according to the deputy managing partner.

Edwards Wildman and Palmer, at the time of press, employs 650 attorneys, who are all part of the international law firm team. EWP will run out of 14 offices located in several countries.  The firm will will serve its clients in areas of venture capital, private equity, corporate and financial transactions, intellectual property, insurance and reinsurance and litigation. EWP plans to serve the clients in countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Japan and Hong Kong. The firm’s current roster includes several Fortune 500 companies, 250 public companies, government agencies and   private businesses.

EWP is growing, in part, because of its impressive list of achievements which include recognition by the Chambers U.S, UK and Asia Pacific. Reactions Magazine honored the firm by ranking it first in the U.S. in areas of insolvency, corporate contracts and policy drafting. Other recognitions include gaining a spot in the top 25 list of leading law firms in fund formation by the Prequin Global Private Equity Report.