With one group based in the UK and the other headquartered in Chicago, the merger builds an increasingly international law firm.

US-based Winston & Strawn and the Taylor Wessing in the UK are to merge to create Winston Taylor, a transatlantic law firm with a total of more than 1,400 lawyers.

Most of the lawyers are in the US, the UK, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.

“The decisive, overwhelming support from our partnerships reflects a shared passion and commitment to meeting our clients’ desire for a unified team across the Atlantic – one that delivers unparalleled advice and capability in the areas that matter most to them,” Steve D’Amore, chairman of Winston, who will continue as chairman of the combined firm, said in a statement yesterday.  Winston & Strawn is based in Chicago.

“This combination creates a transatlantic law firm in the major hubs of innovation and capitals in the US, Europe, and the Middle East,” added Shane Gleghorn, managing partner of Taylor Wessing UK, who will serve as managing partner of Europe and Middle East for Winston Taylor and will become a member of its executive committee. 

As part of the combination, Taylor Wessing the Netherlands and Belgium voted to enter an agreement to operate under the Winston Taylor brand. It is anticipated that the Netherlands and Belgian regions will, over time and subject to approvals, fully integrate into a single firm with the US and UK operations of Winston Taylor.

Winston Taylor has also agreed to a cooperation and referral arrangement with the legacy Taylor Wessing verein, in Germany and elsewhere, to provide continuous service to clients in the future.

After a period of partner-led integration, the combined firm is expected to launch officially in May 2026.

Specific financial terms, as may have applied, were not disclosed.