Mayer Brown
About
Mayer Brown
Mayer Brown is a global law firm, headquartered in Chicago but with a large international footprint.
Founded in 1881 in Chicago by Adolf Kraus and Levy Mayer, the firm started life as Kraus, Mayer & Brackett. After a few name changes, it settled on Mayer Brown & Platt. In 2002, it merged with London’s Rowe & Maw to become Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw. By 2007, it had streamlined the name to simply Mayer Brown.
While its heart is in Chicago, Mayer Brown has truly gone global. The firm made its first big splash internationally when it merged with City firm Rowe & Maw in 2002 - a move that made it the tenth biggest law firm in the world at the time.
In 2008, it expanded into Asia by joining forces with Hong Kong’s Johnson Stokes & Master (JSM). Though Mayer Brown and JSM parted ways in 2024 - part of Big Law’s mass exodus from China over government security measures and geopolitical tensions - Mayer Brown Hong Kong remains a key part of the firm’s footprint.
Today, Mayer Brown boasts nearly 1,900 lawyers globally, including more than 250 equity partners, across 22 offices across cities in the US, South America, Asia Europe, and the Middle East, making it an international powerhouse.
The London office is particularly key, excelling in banking and finance, corporate and real estate.
While it doesn’t claim to be part of the upper echelon of “global elite” firms occupied by the likes of Latham and Skadden who boast much chunkier profits, it is considered a top-tier international outfit alongside transatlantic peers like Hogan Lovells, Reed Smith and Norton Rose Fulbright.
Recent work highlights
Recent deal and industry highlights for Mayer Brown in London include:
L&G's £4.6bn Pension Deal with Ford: In October 2025, Mayer Brown advised the trustees of Ford’s two pension funds as Legal & General agreed a £4.6 billion pension buy-in with the car maker.
ING €7bn Sustainability Loan: Mayer Brown advised ING on the refinancing of Swiss energy company Axpo Holding's credit lines with a €7 billion sustainability-linked multicurrency loan facility with a syndicate of more than 30 banks in 2024.
Hasbro’s $500 Million Sale of eOne: Mayer Brown advised long-time client Hasbro on the European aspects of its $500 million sale of the Entertainment One (eOne) film and TV division to Lionsgate Entertainment in 2023.
Recent coverage
What is Mayer Brown known for?
Mayer Brown is a full service corporate law firm. In the UK market, it is probably best known for its expertise in the following areas:
Corporate/M&A
Mayer Brown has a strong M&A practice, known for its work on mid-market deals. It has a Band 3 ranking by Chambers for mid-market deals.
Capital Markets
Mayer Brown’s structured finance and securitisation practices in particular have long been regarded highly in the London market. Its securitisation practice holds a Band 3 ranking by Chambers, while its derivatives practice is ranked in Band 2.
Real Estate and Construction
Mayer Brown has a stand-out real estate practice, advising on the full spectrum of work including financing, construction and sales and purchases. Its real estate practice has a Band 2 ranking by Chambers.
Financial performance
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In 2025, Mayer Brown’s global revenue was $2.17 billion.
In 2025, Mayer Brown’s profit per equity partner (PEP) was $3.2 million.
London salaries
Here’s what Mayer Brown pays its London trainees and newly qualified (NQ) lawyers:
Who does Mayer Brown compete with?
On the global stage, Mayer Brown competes with so-called "transatlantic" rivals, including:
Trainee information
Other things to know
Famous Alumni: Germany’s latest chancellor Friedrich Merz is a former M&A lawyer at Mayer Brown - and highly rated too according to his profile on the firm’s website.
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