A&O Shearman successfully completes merger

A&O Shearman - On May 1, 2024, the merger of Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling created the first fully integrated, elite global law firm with 7,000 people and nearly 4,000 lawyers, including 800 partners, working in 47 offices in 29 countries, with combined revenues of approximately $3.5 billion.

The firm already advises more than a third of the companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange and a fifth on NASDAQ, as well as many of the world’s leading organisations listed on the LSE, Euronext, Euronext Paris, the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, the Dubai Financial Market and the Tokyo and Hong Kong stock exchanges.

Khalid Garousha, Senior Partner at A&O Shearman, said: "Today we begin an exciting journey as a new firm, a firm that can offer our clients an unrivalled global platform. A platform like no other. A&O Shearman is a new industry leader with unrivalled experience, a unique culture and truly global capabilities. I look forward to working with my colleagues to unlock the potential of our new firm. We will provide clients with the world-class integrated solutions and unparalleled regional experience and expertise they seek in today’s increasingly complex commercial and regulatory environment."

Adam Hakki, co-chair of A&O Shearman’s global board and executive committee and chairman of the firm’s US division, said: "The combination of two of the world’s most respected law firms, with complementary strengths and shared values, has been carefully designed to deliver, at the highest level, what the firms’ respective clients and colleagues have told us they are looking for and cannot find anywhere else. The feedback we have received so far, both externally and internally, has been extremely positive and our clients can’t wait to unleash the combined power of the new firm. A&O Shearman was created to deliver exceptional results for clients, and we look forward to demonstrating this around the world".

Hervé Ekué, Managing Partner of A&O Shearman, said: "What both firms have in common, and what A&O Shearman will continue to offer, is a deep commitment to excellence, collaboration and innovation. I know of no other firm in the world that can combine our market coverage, depth of experience and innovative approach. Our ability to bring different perspectives, knowledge and skills to clients puts A&O Shearman in a class of its own and we will continue to prioritise and encourage this collaborative way of working".

A&O Shearman will be structured to meet the needs of customers now and in the future, while enhancing internal collaboration. It will market, develop and manage talent through a matrix of global practice groups and industry sectors around the world.

The global practice groups, which include areas such as Mergers & Acquisitions, Litigation & Investigations, Debt Finance and many others, will serve clients on global matters, ensuring global collaboration and a consistent offering across regions.

To deepen relationships with organisations around the world, six key industry sectors will operate across practices, products and geographies. These are Energy & Infrastructure, Established Industries, Financial Institutions, Life Sciences, Private Equity and Technology. The firm’s lawyers around the world will also support specific sub-sectors and other industries.

Regional offices will focus on local go-to-market strategies and collaboration, reputation building in local markets, talent attraction and development, and local operations.

A&O Shearman in Latin America
A&O Shearman is committed to covering Latin America across jurisdictions, industries and legal disciplines, and advising clients on their most prominent, innovative and complex transactions, regulatory challenges and disputes.

Its global presence provides a competitive advantage and enables the firm to serve clients in both inbound and outbound transactions. Its Latin American offices in São Paulo, New York and Washington, D.C. are integrated into its global network, which includes Amsterdam, Austin, Beijing, Hong Kong, Houston, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Paris, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo.

David Flechner in New York specialises in US and international securities offerings, financings and corporate governance, and is particularly active in infrastructure, energy and natural resources transactions.

Sami Mir, in Washington DC, is part of the Projects, Energy and Infrastructure Group and the ECA Group, and is the Firm’s partner for several IFIs, including IFC, IDB Invest, DFC, U.S. Exim Bank, NADB and EDC. Sami’s practice predominantly focuses on advising lenders (including ECAs, MLAs, other official lending agencies and commercial lenders) and sponsors on project finance and PPP transactions, as well as equity investments and funds, in Latin America and emerging markets around the world. He is a native English speaker and fluent in Spanish.

Patrick Pearsall is based in Washington DC and is Head of Arbitration in the Americas.

Ken Rivlin is Global Co-Director of Environment and Sanctions and a member of the Council. He founded the US Environmental Law Group and co-chairs the International Trade Group.

Dorina Yessios is Project Director, Energy, Natural Resources and Infrastructure (PENRI).
She focuses on the Americas and in particular on energy and natural resources projects, as well as data, digital and traditional infrastructures, including Latin America and the Caribbean.

In Spain, Antonio Vázquez-Guillén and Ignacio Ruiz-Cámara will be co-managing partners.

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