Goodwin

Goodwin Procter (known as Goodwin) is a top tier US law firm that has been in London since 2009, espousing a model that divides work by sector - tech, life sciences, real estate, hotels and leisure and healthcare are among the firm’s areas of expertise.

Since its foundation in 1912, the firm has expanded from a one-office operation in Boston to a firm with over 1,800 lawyers and offices dotted around the world, including New York, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Hong Kong and Singapore. 

While not traditionally grouped with the Wall Street elite, it has carved out a strong position in the market through its sector focus and deep relationships with sponsors and growth companies.

In the UK, Goodwin stands out among US firms for its dual presence in London and Cambridge - the latter opened in 2019, placing the firm at the heart of one of Europe’s leading innovation hubs. The Cambridge office focuses on life sciences, venture capital and intellectual property, complementing the firm’s broader sector strategy.

Like other major US names in London, Goodwin houses a strong private capital practice in London, but focuses principally on venture capital in high-growth sectors like tech, life sciences.

It stops short of following the private capital and London-centric model adhered to by many US rivals. Its Cambridge office is an intellectual property powerhouse, while the London team is highly regarded for its real estate practice and litigation capabilities - giving the firm a more diversified UK offering.

Other things to know

RTO: In November 2025, Goodwin joined the anti-WFH wave, requiring staff to come into the office four days a week.

‍Sector specialisms: Unlike other large US that are more sector-agnostic, Goodwin operates a model organised by industry, with life sciences, tech, healthcare and real estate being key focuses, alongside private equity.

‍Legal tech pedigree: UK-based legal tech startup Intelligent Legal Solutions (ILS) was founded by two former Goodwin lawyers. The company raised $3 million in seed funding in March 2026.

What is Goodwin known for?‍

In the UK, Goodwin is known for its specialist sector expertise and its private capital platform:

Leveraged finance: Goodwin’s London team is known for advising private equity clients on sponsored acquisition finance. The firm is ranked Band 1 in Chambers for mid-market, borrower side leveraged finance work.

Real estate: Goodwin has expertise in real estate funds, real estate transactions and finance. Its funds practice is ranked Band 1, and its transactional offering for deals between £50-150 million sits in Band 2.

Venture capital: The jewel in the crown of the firm’s private capital offering is its venture capital investments offering. The London team is ranked Band 1 in Chambers for this work, and assists with initial fundraises and series financing in the tech and life sciences spaces.

‍Life sciences: The life sciences-oriented Cambridge office is ranked Band 1 in Chambers for IP work, which leans heavily into the city’s pharmaceuticals and life sciences economy. Life sciences transactions are another key focus - the firm is also ranked Band 1 for this category.

What's Chambers?

We use Chambers rankings to demonstrate a firm's strengths. Chambers is the most highly-regarded provider of law firm rankings in the legal industry. Law firms are ranked in bands from 1 (highest) to 6 (lowest) across a range of practice areas.

It's important to note that being ranked in any band at all is still considered a significant achievement.

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Who does Goodwin compete with?

Goodwin sits in the private capital and growth sectors lane, rather than pure Wall Street or broad full-service global firms. Its closest competitors are similarly sector-focused firms such as Cooley and Wilson Sonsini in tech and venture capital, and firms like Ropes & Gray (a fellow Boston native) in life sciences.

In 2025, Goodwin's revenue was $2.72 billion, according to Law.com / ALM.

Its profit per equity partner (PEP) was $4.24 million, according to Law.com / ALM.

‍How much does a partner at Goodwin make?‍

In 2025, Goodwin’s average profit per equity partner (PEP) was $4.24 million.

This is the total amount of profit available for distribution among equity partners, divided by the number of equity partners at the firm.

This represents the average amount that equity partners are entitled to. Some will receive significantly more, some less. It depends on the firm’s profit-sharing formula and each partner’s seniority.

‍How many trainees does Goodwin take?‍

The firm takes 14 trainees each year.