Willkie Farr & Gallagher

Willkie Farr & Gallagher
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Name	Willkie Farr & Gallagher
Founded	0 1888
Founder	John H. Stoddard, Francis L. Wellman
Headquarters	New York City, New York, U.S.
Num offices	13
Num attorneys	Approximately 1,000
Practice areas	Corporate law, Litigation, Private equity, Bankruptcy, Real estate
Key people	Thomas M. Cerabino (Chairman)
Website	https://www.willkie.com

Willkie Farr & Gallagher is a prominent international law firm headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1888, the firm has grown to include approximately 1,000 attorneys across offices in major financial and political centers including Washington, D.C., London, Paris, Frankfurt, and Milan. It is widely recognized for its sophisticated work in corporate law, complex litigation, and financial services, representing a global roster of corporations, financial institutions, and individuals.

History

The firm traces its origins to 1888 with the founding of a partnership by John H. Stoddard and Francis L. Wellman in New York. A pivotal moment in its development occurred in 1940 when the former Republican presidential nominee Wendell Willkie joined, lending his name and considerable stature to the practice. Throughout the mid-20th century, the firm established itself as a trusted advisor during America's post-war industrial expansion, advising major clients on securities regulations and corporate governance. Its international footprint began with the opening of a Paris office in 1972, followed by strategic expansions into London and other European capitals, aligning with the growth of global capital markets and cross-border mergers and acquisitions.

Practice areas

The firm's core services are organized around several key departments. Its renowned Corporate & Financial Services department handles a broad spectrum of transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments, and capital markets offerings, frequently advising leading investment banks like Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley. The Litigation department manages high-stakes disputes across areas such as securities litigation, white-collar crime defense, and complex commercial litigation, often appearing before the Supreme Court of the United States. Other significant practice groups include a highly ranked Bankruptcy & Restructuring team, a comprehensive Real Estate practice, and specialized groups focusing on antitrust, intellectual property, and environmental law.

Notable cases and clients

Willkie Farr & Gallagher has been counsel in many landmark legal matters. The firm represented the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the historic Chapter 11 bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers, one of the largest in U.S. history. In the private equity sphere, it has long served as primary counsel to Apollo Global Management on numerous multibillion-dollar transactions. The litigation group successfully defended Barclays in significant litigation related to the 2008 financial crisis and has represented clients in major investigations by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Department of Justice. Other notable clients have included KKR & Co., Carlyle Group, and JPMorgan Chase.

Leadership and structure

The firm is structured as a limited liability partnership and is led by a Chairman and an Executive Committee. Thomas M. Cerabino, a veteran corporate partner, serves as Chairman. Management is decentralized across its core practice groups and geographic offices, with managing partners overseeing operations in key locations such as Washington, D.C. and Europe. The firm maintains a single, unified profit-sharing system, which is credited with fostering a collaborative culture across its international network. Partnership decisions and major strategic initiatives are typically governed by the firm's Executive Committee in consultation with the broader partnership.

Recognition and rankings

The firm consistently achieves high rankings in industry publications and legal directories. It is perennially listed in the top tiers of Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500 for its work in private equity, bankruptcy, and litigation. Its attorneys are frequently recognized by publications like The American Lawyer and Law360, and many are members of the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers. The firm's Pro bono program has also received awards, including from the Pro Bono Institute, for its commitment to providing legal services in the public interest.

Category:Law firms of the United States Category:Companies based in Manhattan Category:Law firms established in 1888