Baker McKenzie is a global law firm with its headquarters in Chicago, USA. The firm is renowned for its extensive experience in various fields of law and its innovative solutions to legal problems. With offices in over 40 countries, Baker McKenzie is a major player in the global legal industry.

History and Founding

Baker McKenzie was founded in 1949 in Chicago by Russell Baker and John McKenzie. The two lawyers had worked together previously in a small law firm and decided to start their practice. Initially, the firm was named Baker & McKenzie, but the name was later changed to Baker McKenzie. The firm’s first office was in the United States, but it soon expanded its reach globally, opening offices in Europe and Asia in the 1960s.

Today, Baker McKenzie has a significant presence in the United States with offices in major cities such as New York, Chicago, Washington D.C., and San Francisco. The firm’s US operations are led by Colin Murray, who also serves as the global chair of Baker McKenzie’s M&A practice.

Practice Areas

Baker McKenzie is a full-service law firm with expertise in various fields of law.

Corporate Law: The firm provides advice on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate governance, and compliance. Baker McKenzie’s corporate and securities lawyers advise clients on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate governance, and securities regulation.

Intellectual Property: Baker McKenzie advises clients on all aspects of intellectual property law, including trademarks, copyrights, patents, and trade secrets. The Firm’s property lawyers assist clients in protecting their intellectual property rights, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.

Litigation: The firm has an extensive litigation practice, representing clients in various types of disputes, including commercial litigation, intellectual property disputes, and arbitration.

Tax: The firm’s tax practice provides advice on domestic and international tax issues, including transfer pricing, tax planning, and compliance.
Employment: Baker McKenzie’s employment practice advises clients on labor and employment law, including discrimination, wage and hour issues, and workplace safety. The firm’s employment and labor lawyers advise clients on issues related to hiring, terminations, employment policies, and labor disputes.

Notable Cases

Baker McKenzie’s clients in the US include multinational corporations, financial institutions, and governments. The firm has worked with some of the world’s largest companies, including Microsoft, General Electric, and Procter & Gamble.

Baker McKenzie’s US operations also advise a range of clients in the healthcare, technology, and energy sectors. The firm’s healthcare clients include pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, and healthcare providers. In the technology sector, the firm advises clients in the software, hardware, and telecommunications industries. In the energy sector, Baker McKenzie advises clients in the oil and gas, renewable energy, and nuclear power industries.

Clients

Baker McKenzie has a diverse client base, including multinational corporations, financial institutions, and governments. Some of the firm’s momentous clients include:

Apple Inc.: Baker McKenzie has advised Apple on various legal matters, including intellectual property disputes and tax issues.
Coca-Cola: The firm has provided legal advice to Coca-Cola on corporate and intellectual property matters.
JPMorgan Chase: Baker McKenzie has advised JPMorgan Chase on various legal issues, including regulatory compliance and corporate governance.

Unilever: The firm has advised Unilever on various legal matters, including mergers and acquisitions and intellectual property issues.
Microsoft Antitrust Litigation: Baker McKenzie represented Microsoft in the landmark antitrust litigation brought by the US government in the late 1990s. The firm assisted Microsoft in negotiating a settlement that included significant changes to the company’s business practices.

BP Deepwater Horizon Litigation: Baker McKenzie represented BP in the litigation arising from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The firm assisted BP in negotiating a settlement that resolved most of the claims arising from the disaster.

Apple E-Book Antitrust Litigation: Baker McKenzie represented Apple in the antitrust litigation brought by the US government related to the pricing of e-books. The firm assisted Apple in negotiating a settlement that resolved the case.

Culture and Values

Baker McKenzie is known for its inclusive and diverse culture. The firm has been recognized as one of the best places to work for LGBTQ+ employees, and it has a diversity and inclusion committee that promotes diversity within the firm. Baker McKenzie also has a pro bono program that provides legal services to individuals and organizations in need.

The firm’s core values include:

Collaboration: Baker McKenzie encourages its lawyers to work together to provide the best possible solutions to clients.

Professionalism: The firm emphasizes the importance of professionalism in all aspects of its practice.

Ethics: Baker McKenzie is committed to the highest ethical standards in its legal practice.

Innovation: The firm is known for its innovative solutions to legal problems.

Diversity: Baker McKenzie values diversity and is committed to promoting it within the firm and in the legal profession as a whole.
Global Presence

Baker McKenzie has a truly global presence, with offices in over 40 countries. The firm’s international reach allows it to provide clients with a truly global perspective and expertise in local laws and regulations.

The firm’s global presence is also reflected in its leadership. Baker McKenzie’s current global chair, Milton Cheng, is based in Hong Kong, and the firm’s previous global chair, Paul Rawlinson, was based in London.
Technology and Innovation

Baker McKenzie is committed to leveraging technology to improve its legal services. The firm has a global innovation committee that promotes innovation within the firm and helps lawyers to use technology to provide better legal services to clients.
Intellectual Property Law

Litigation and Dispute Resolution: The firm’s litigation and dispute resolution lawyers represent clients in all types of disputes, including commercial litigation, product liability, and intellectual property disputes.

Tax Law: Baker McKenzie’s tax lawyers advise clients on a broad range of tax issues, including corporate tax, international tax, and tax controversies.

International Trade Law: The firm’s international trade lawyers advise clients on issues related to international trade agreements, customs law, and export controls.

The firm’s clients come from a variety of industries, including technology, healthcare, energy, and financial services. Baker McKenzie’s lawyers have deep expertise in their respective practice areas and are committed to providing clients with high-quality legal services.
Achievements of Baker McKenzie LLP USA

Baker McKenzie has received numerous accolades and awards over the years. Some of the firm’s recent achievements include:
Named “Law Firm of the Year” for International Trade and Finance Law by U.S. News – Best Lawyers® 2022.

Ranked #1 in Global Arbitration Review’s GAR 100 2022 rankings.

Named one of the “Most Innovative Law Firms in North America” by the Financial Times in 2021.
In addition to these awards, Baker McKenzie has a long history of pro bono work and community service. The firm is committed to using its legal expertise to help those in need and has established a variety of pro bono programs aimed at providing legal services to underserved communities.