Baker McKenzie
About
Baker McKenzie
Baker McKenzie is a US-headquartered law firm which, today, stands as one of the biggest law firms in the world (in both the headcount and revenue stakes).
A transactional powerhouse with serious cross-border clout, the firm’s story began in 1948, when Russell Baker and John McKenzie shared a chance taxi ride in Chicago. Just a year later, Baker McKenzie was founded.
Today, the firm has far outgrown its Chicago roots. It boasts 77 offices across 47 countries and calls itself “the original global law firm”. It’s actually the biggest US law firm by headcount overall, boasting more than 5,000 lawyers.
Bakers pioneered the Swiss verein model (same brand globally but no pooling of revenue or profits) in 2004 to accelerate its global expansion, paving the way for similarly vast firms like Dentons and DLA Piper to follow suit. The firm says that more than 65% of its deals span multiple jurisdictions, making it a dominant force in cross-border M&A.
London has been central to Bakers’ rise. It landed in the City in 1961, making it one of the first US law firms in London to do so. Today, the London office is the firm’s largest, with over 500 lawyers.
The office is a leading name in corporate/M&A, private equity, banking and finance, capital markets and - most notably - TMT where it's considered a go-to adviser.
Growth is the game plan. In the five years up to the end of 2023, the London office made 21 lateral hires in corporate alone, poaching talent from the likes of Linklaters, A&O Shearman and Orrick. Its transactional practice is thriving, with private equity a major focus.
The office is on the up too. In October 2023, Bakers moved into its new London HQ at 280 Bishopsgate. Think open plan, flexible workspaces, rooftop terraces and eco-friendly design. Green spaces and modern facilities add to the appeal.
The expansion reflects the firm’s commitment to staying on the front foot globally.
Revenues today stand at $3.4 billion - making it a top 10 player worldwide - while back in 2014, it became the first law firm to break the $2.5 billion revenue mark. Today, it remains one of the biggest names in the legal world, with few signs of slowing down.
Recent work highlights
Recent deal and industry highlights for Baker McKenzie in London include:
$770m acquisition of OrthoLite: In July 2025, Baker McKenzie advised FTSE 250-listed Coats Group on its acquisition of US insole maker OrthoLite for $770 million.
Carlberg’s Acquisition of Britvic: Baker McKenzie advised brewing giant Carlsberg on its acquisition of soft drinks group Britvic in a £3.3 billion deal in 2024.
Pegasus Airlines Bond Issuance: Baker McKenzie advised the bookrunners on Turkish low-cost airline Pegasus’ $500 million eurobond issuance in October 2024.
Recent coverage
What is Baker McKenzie Known for?
Baker McKenzie is a full service corporate law firm. In the UK market, it is probably best known for its expertise in the following areas:
Private Equity
Bakers has a leading private equity practice, with notable pedigree on mid-market deals. It regularly advises private equity sponsors and is especially known for its work on tech transactions. It has a Band 2 ranking by Chambers for mid-market work.
Banking and Finance
Bakers has a highly-regarded banking practice on both the borrower side - where it has a Band 2 ranking by Chambers - and the lender side - which gets a Band 2 ranking by Chambers.
Capital Markets
Bakers is strong across equity and debt capital markets, including in more specialist areas like securitisation. It has strong Chambers’ rankings across all three practice areas.
Technology, Media and Telecoms (TMT)
One of its strongest cards, Bakers is a go-to adviser across the telecommunications, media and technology sectors. It advises many of the biggest names in those areas. It’s highly ranked by Chambers across the specialisms - with notable Band 1 rankings for its telecommunications practice and IT practice.
Financial performance
In 2024, Baker McKenzie’s global revenue was $3.4 billion, according to ALM / Law.com.
Baker McKenzie's most recent profit per equity partner (PEP) was estimated by ALM / Law.com to be $2.1 million in 2024.
London salaries
Here’s what Baker McKenzie pays its London trainees and newly qualified (NQ) lawyers:
Who does Baker McKenzie compete with?
Bakers is considered a top-tier law firm with big clout globally thanks to its network of international offices.
It can't match the reputation and prestige of the elite US firms (think Latham, Sidley, Kirkland) or the Magic Circle - its profitability has also historically been notably lower than the elite (something it's working hard to address) - but it's a leading player in several of the practice areas it specialises in - like TMT, for example.
It competes with various firms, including:
Trainee information
Other things to know
Swiss Verein Pioneer: We touched on it above, but Baker McKenzie was the the first major law firm to adopt the Swiss verein structure in 2004, allowing for a decentralised network of member firms sharing a brand while maintaining legal and financial independence. For more information about law firm structures, see our guide on how big law firms work.
Secondments: International secondments are most definitely on the table at Baker McKenzie thanks to its vast global footprint. All trainees have the opportunity to apply for a three-to-six month secondment at one of Bakers’ international offices, or with one of the firm’s clients’ in-house legal teams.
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