Beyond these glass doors lies the London headquarters of Clifford Chance. It is a British multinational law firm. Clifford Chance stands as a pillar of legal expertise. It is headquartered here in London, England. The story of Clifford Chance is quite remarkable. It reflects a series of transformative moments in the legal world.
Clifford Chance history began with the merger of two distinguished London law firms in 1987. These firms were Coward Chance and Clifford-Turner. Coward Chance had its roots in a firm established in 1802 by Anthony Brown. This early firm navigated the tumultuous Panic of 1825. It advised Cecil Rhodes on his diamond mining business. They even helped establish the Rhodes Scholarships. Guglielmo Marconi was also among their notable clients. The firm aided Midland Bank in recovering assets from Russia. This was after the 1917 revolution.
Clifford-Turner was founded in 1900 by Harry Clifford Turner. Their clients included Dunlop Rubber Company and Imperial Airways. Clifford-Turner advised on the creation of the John Lewis Partnership in 1929. After World War II, it played a role in the nationalisation of industries.
Neither Clifford-Turner nor Coward Chance were top-tier London law firms initially. Their merger reshaped the legal landscape. Over the following decade, Clifford Chance expanded across Europe and Asia. In 1992, Clifford Chance became the first major non-US firm to practice US law.
In 1999, Clifford Chance merged with Pünder, Volhard, Weber & Axster from Frankfurt. They also merged with Rogers & Wells from New York. This combination created the world’s first global law firm. Clifford Chance remains unique with expertise across Europe, Asia Pacific, the Americas, and the Middle East.
Clifford Chance faced challenges during the late-2000s recession. The firm responded by cutting costs and improving efficiency. This included creating a Global Shared Service Centre in New Delhi.
Clifford Chance continued its global expansion. It opened offices in Australia in 2011. It merged with Chang, Pistilli & Simmons and Cochrane Lishman Carson Luscombe. In 2012, it established a presence in Casablanca. Clifford Chance became the first UK firm to open an office in South Korea.
In 2018, Clifford Chance acquired staff from Carillion’s legal services arm in Newcastle. This enhanced their capabilities in legal tech and process development. Clifford Chance also launched an innovation hub in Singapore.
Clifford Chance offers expertise across various practice areas. These include banking and finance, capital markets, and corporate M&A. They also handle litigation, real estate, and tax matters. The firm’s commitment to client service remains a priority. They work to understand their clients’ businesses and priorities.
Clifford Chance has received accolades from legal directories. They are recognised for their deep bench of talented lawyers. Clients appreciate the firm’s innovative and commercial approach.
As you stand before Clifford Chance, remember its history and global impact. The firm’s story reflects adaptability and a commitment to excellence. Clifford Chance continues to evolve. It meets the demands of a complex and connected world.