Inside McDermott's $2.8bn merger: London managing partner Aymen Mahmoud on building a transatlantic private capital powerhouse

McDermott has just completed one of the most significant Big Law mergers in recent years, tying up with New York’s Schulte Roth & Zabel to create a $2.8 billion powerhouse sitting just outside the top 10 US firms by revenue. The deal was wrapped up in just three months - record speed by law firm standards - and is already producing results.

In this episode, we sit down with Aymen Mahmoud, McDermott’s London managing partner, to get the inside view on how the merger came together, why culture was as important as strategy, and what the combined platform means for clients on both sides of the Atlantic. He explains why he calls it a "marriage of conviction" and why the firm is betting big on private capital as the driver of its next phase of growth.

We also dig into the London story: how Schulte’s top-tier funds practice changes McDermott’s position in the market, the firm’s plans for a new Mayfair office in 2028, and the ambition to be on every top client’s speed dial for private capital work. Along the way, Aymen shares candid insights on talent, pay, and how McDermott is trying to do things differently - from matching New York comp in London to giving billable credit for mindfulness.

Chapters

00:01 Introduction
01:15 The McDermott-Schulte Merger
07:07 Cultural Integration and Success Metrics
12:45 Strategic Growth in London
18:42 Talent Acquisition and Retention
24:40 Leadership and Personal Growth
30:43 Future Vision for McDermott