Member Article

Bond Dickinson promises to ‘continue to invest in Newcastle’ as US partnership launches

Law firm Bond Dickinson LLP has partnered with US-based Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice LLP, creating a new collective enterprise - Womble Bond Dickinson.

Announced in June 2017, the combination builds on the strategic alliance announced by the two firms in 2016, creating a Global Top 100 firm by annual revenue ($410m/£340m) and a Top 20 UK law firm.

With 24 offices in locations across the US and UK, the business boasts more than 1,000 lawyers serving more than 250 publicly traded companies.

The combined firm has a sector-focused strategy and will use its strength and experience in these areas to create opportunities for its clients and build on the success achieved so far through the strategic alliance.

Kevin Robertson, Partner and Head of the Newcastle office at Womble Bond Dickinson commented: “This is a combination of two firms with a common culture and a shared commitment to client service.

“A growing number of our North East clients have business interests on both sides of the Atlantic. The combination enhances our ability to service those clients, and to help them to meet the challenges of today’s business world.

“The combination increases our intellectual capital, allows us to innovate more readily and helps us to attract and retain the very best talent in our local market – this is good news not only for our clients who require transatlantic support but also those we work closely with on purely domestic matters.”

The new entity is a company limited by guarantee in which Womble Bond Dickinson UK LLP and Womble Bond Dickinson US LLP operate as separate non-profit-sharing partnerships with their own independent Boards. Four members from each partnership have been appointed to the board of the new entity.

Kevin continued: “We are proud of our heritage in the North East and we as a business will continue to invest in Newcastle as we grow. We are confident that with our success and depth of expertise, we can support our clients to thrive and prosper in a rapidly changing world.

“Becoming Womble Bond Dickinson ensures our continued commitment to our regions whilst bringing greater market insight and international experience.”