A&O Shearman
| No. of offices | Over 48 worldwide |
|---|---|
| No. of lawyers | Approximately 4,000 |
| Major practice areas | General practice |
| Date founded | 1 May 2024 by merger |
| Company type | Limited liability partnership |
| Website | www.aoshearman.com |
Allen Overy Shearman Sterling LLP (commonly A&O Shearman) is a multinational law firm. The firm was formed as a result of a merger between Magic Circle firm Allen & Overy and white shoe firm Shearman & Sterling, creating a firm estimated to have nearly 4,000 attorneys across 49 offices with a combined revenue of $3.4 billion, making it the third biggest law firm in the world.[1]
History
The terms of the merger between Magic Circle firm Allen & Overy and white shoe firm Shearman & Sterling were announced on 21 May 2023[2] and approved on 13 October 2023 by more than 99% of partners from both firms.[3] The merger was completed on 1 May 2024, making it the fourth-largest law firm in the world.[4][5] Khalid Garousha was elected as senior partner and Hervé Ekué was elected as managing partner of A&O Shearman following the merger.[6]
In September 2024, A&O Shearman announced that they would shut down their South African offices and instead support its Sub-Saharan clients from its other global offices.[7] In January 2025, 57 former members of A&O Shearman in South Africa, including 14 partners, joined Bowmans.[8][9]
In April 2025, A&O Shearman in the United States agreed to provide $125m of pro bono work for causes supported by President Donald Trump in response to threatened presidential executive orders.[10]
References
- ^ Sweney, Mark (22 May 2023). "Law firms Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling plan to merge in $3.4bn deal". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
- ^ Beioley, Kate (21 May 2023). "Allen & Overy and Shearman plan merger to create $3.4bn law firm". Financial Times. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
- ^ Thomas, David; Merken, Sara; Thomas, David; Merken, Sara (22 May 2023). "A&O Shearman merger would be a blockbuster, but maybe not a harbinger". Reuters. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
- ^ Merken, Sara (1 May 2024). "A&O Shearman joins ranks of major transatlantic law firm mergers". Reuters. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ Dayal, Mahira. "A&O Shearman Launch Tests Firm's Ability to Crack Big Law Elite". Bloomberg Law.
- ^ "A&O Shearman elects leadership team effective in May once merger completes". CityAM. 1 March 2024. Retrieved 12 December 2025.
- ^ Mizner, Andrew (9 September 2024). "A&O Shearman to close Johannesburg office". African Law Business. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
- ^ "Bowmans welcomes legal team from A&O Shearman South Africa in strategic expansion". Bowmans. 6 January 2025. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
- ^ Andrew, Mizner (3 October 2024). "A&O Shearman Johannesburg partners to join Bowmans". African Law Business. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
- ^ Goldstein, Matthew (11 April 2025). "Five More Big Law Firms Reach Deals With Trump". The New York Times. Retrieved 12 April 2025.