Taylor Wessing

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Overview

The firm now known as Taylor Wessing is the product of the 2002 merger between Taylor Joynson Garrett (TJG) and Germany's Wessing, with the resulting firm currently just inside the UK's top 30 by revenue. In 2008-09 the firm's UK arm pulled in fees totalling £91.2m, while average profits standing at £435,600.

Best known for its work in intellectual property (IP), technology and media, Taylor Wessing is most commonly bracketed alongside such firms as Osborne Clarke and Bird & Bird. Indeed, Bird & Bird is itself a former suitor of the legacy Wessing, having held discussions of its own with the German independent that ultimately failed to lead to a tie-up.

Almost 70 German partners came aboard when the Taylor Wessing merger went live, in a move that handed TJG its first presence on the Continent.

For a time, a lack of enthusiasm for the merger in the firm's Frankfurt office had threatened to derail the deal, with a five-partner team quitting the German firm for Latham & Watkins just beforehand. In some regards, progress since then has been equally tortuous, with integration seemingly moving at the proverbial snail's pace.

History

Culture

Key departments

Taylor Wessing remains best known for its top-tier IP team, which numbers more than 100 lawyers across Europe and ranks in the City alongside the likes of Bird & Bird and boutique outfits such as Bristows. Clients of the IP team include Associated Newspapers and BMG Music Publishing. Taylor Wessing also has a top-rated patent litigation practice and is seen as particularly strong in the life sciences sector.

Real estate finance is an area where the firm excels in the City mid-market, in particular in construction and the key growth area of Islamic finance. A touch unusually for a major City firm, Taylor Wessing also retains a sizeable private client operation.

National/international coverage

The Taylor Wessing network currently features a dozen offices. As well as its extensive German operation, which features bases in Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Munich Duesseldorf and Neuss, the firm has additional overseas outposts in Alicante, Paris and Shanghai.

The firm also has an arm in Dubai, which came under the Taylor Wessing aegis in December 2007 when longstanding ally Key & Dixon - a former ally of City outfit Nabarro - rebranded as Taylor Wessing (Middle East).

Back in the UK, a modest Cambridge office aims to keep the firm in touch with the city's community of tech-focused start-ups.

Key clients

Leading partners

Corporate specialist Tim Eyles (pictured) was voted in as UK managing partner in April 2009, replacing former chief Michael Frawley. Eyles previously served two terms as head of the firm's corporate practice.

Tony Ghee is among the best-known media lawyers in the City, while banking/finance chief Rodney Dukes is regarded as a robust operator. Private client chief Mark Buzzoni is well thought of in his field.

Career prospects

Salaries

Recruitment

Contacts for recruitment are Catherine Dwyer (trainee recruitment and Kate Derbyshire (general legal).

For more information on graduate recruitment at Taylor Wessing, click here.

Work-life balance

Diversity

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