King & Spalding
About
King & Spalding
King & Spalding is an Atlanta-founded US law firm with more than 1,300 lawyers across 26 offices.
It traces its history to 1885 and opened in London in 2003, with practices spanning M&A, private equity, finance and international arbitration.
The London office now combines top-ranked arbitration and construction disputes teams with fund finance, leveraged finance, corporate/M&A, private equity, capital markets, tax and financial services work. The firm moved to 8 Bishopsgate in 2024 and has already taken additional space in the building to accommodate its continued growth.
Disputes remain the clearest point of difference. King & Spalding is one of a relatively small group of US firms in London with top-tier rankings for both commercial and investor-state arbitration. Its lawyers act on complex cross-border cases involving governments, energy companies, investors and major infrastructure projects.
The transactional side has also grown quickly. In 2024, the firm recruited a 12-lawyer finance team from Cadwalader, materially expanding its London bench.
In 2026, it went on to add one of the City’s top arbitration teams from WilmerHale, featuring renowned international arbitrator Gary Born along with eight other partners across London, Washington DC and New York.
London growth has been impressive. City revenue rose nearly 50% in 2025 to $148 million, while global revenue stands at $2.6 billion and profit per equity partner a very healthy $7.2 million, according to The American Lawyer.
Recent work highlights
Recent deal and industry highlights for King & Spalding in London include:
UK airports investment: King & Spalding advised Blackstone on its acquisition of a 20% stake in AGS Airports from Macquarie. AGS owns Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports, and the transaction valued the group at about £1.5 billion.
De La Rue acqusition: King & Spalding advised US private rquity firm Atlas on its £260 million take-private of British banknote printer De La Rue in 2025.
Real estate agent refinancing: King & Spalding advised London estate agency Dexters on a £140 million refinancing of its senior secured credit facilities in 2025.
Recent coverage
What is King & Spalding known for in London?
In London, King & Spalding is best known for disputes and specialist finance work:
International arbitration
King & Spalding is one of London’s leading international arbitration firms. Chambers ranks it Band 1 for both commercial arbitration and investor-state arbitration, with particular strengths in energy, infrastructure and disputes involving states.
Construction disputes
The firm has a top-tier construction arbitration practice acting on complex international engineering and infrastructure disputes. Chambers ranks King & Spalding Band 1 for construction international arbitration.
Fund finance
King & Spalding advises banks, private credit providers and fund sponsors on subscription lines, NAV facilities and other fund-level financings. Chambers ranks the firm Band 1 for fund finance.
Financial performance
In 2025, King & Spalding's revenue was $2.68 billion and profit per equity partner was $7.26 million, according to The American Lawyer.
London salaries
Here’s what King & Spalding pays its London trainees and newly qualified (NQ) lawyers:
Who does King & Spalding compete with?
In London, King & Spalding competes is best known for its top tier arbitration practice, where it competes with the likes of:
Trainee information
Other things to know
More space needed: In 2026, King & Spalding boosted its London footprint at 8 Bishopsgate for the second time in two years, taking the tower's highest office floor. It’s premium real estate. In 2025, fellow US firm Proskauer reportedly agreed a deal for additional space in the building at £147 per sq ft, a record high rent for office space in the City of London.
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