What makes Willkie Farr & Gallagher stand out in the legal world? Founded in 1888, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP has grown into a powerhouse with a global presence. With 15 offices across six countries and around 1,200 lawyers, the firm has seen remarkable revenue growth, hitting $1.5 billion in 2023. Known for its collaborative culture, Willkie emphasizes respect, socialization, and mentorship. The firm excels in various legal areas, including corporate practice, litigation, and insurance. High-profile cases and notable clients, such as Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, showcase its expertise. Despite rapid expansion, Willkie maintains a strong commitment to its core values and culture.
Key Takeaways:
- Willkie Farr & Gallagher has a rich history dating back to the 19th century, with notable figures like U.S. Supreme Court Justices and former New York Governor Mario Cuomo as part of its legacy.
- The firm has experienced remarkable financial growth, with a revenue increase of 134% from 2014 to 2023, and a strong commitment to culture, mentorship, and pro bono work.
Willkie Farr & Gallagher: A Storied Beginning
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, often simply known as Willkie, has a rich history dating back to the 19th century. Let's dive into some fascinating facts about this prestigious law firm.
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Founding Year: Willkie Farr & Gallagher was founded in 1888 by four lawyers who initially set up shop on Broadway in New York City, originally naming the firm Hornblower & Byrne.
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Name Change: Over the years, the firm underwent several name changes. It was known as Miller, Boston & Owen before Wendell Willkie joined in 1941, later becoming Willkie, Owen, Otis & Bailly, and eventually Willkie Farr & Gallagher.
Notable Figures and Leadership
The firm has been associated with many prominent figures in the legal and political arenas.
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Notable Partners: The firm has had several notable partners, including U.S. Supreme Court Justices Felix Frankfurter and Charles Evans Hughes, former Supreme Court nominee Robert Bork, and former New York Governor Mario Cuomo.
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Current Leadership: The firm is currently led by Co-Chairs Thomas Cerabino and Matthew Feldman, who have been instrumental in driving the firm’s growth and strategic development.
Global Reach and Expansion
Willkie Farr & Gallagher has grown significantly over the years, expanding its presence both domestically and internationally.
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Global Presence: Willkie boasts a significant global presence with 15 offices across six countries. The largest U.S. office is in New York, with additional offices in Chicago, DC, Houston, Los Angeles, Palo Alto, and San Francisco, as well as seven international offices in Europe.
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Expansion Strategy: The firm’s expansion has been strategic and deliberate. Willkie has opened seven new offices in the last decade, including in Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Munich, Palo Alto, and San Francisco. The London office has also grown into a market leader.
Financial Growth and Success
The firm has experienced remarkable financial growth over the past decade.
- Revenue Growth: In 2023, Willkie earned $1.5 billion in revenue, marking a 134% increase from 2014. Profits per equity partner rose 51% to about $3.86 million.
Culture and Mentorship
Despite its rapid growth, Willkie has maintained a strong, collaborative culture.
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Cultural Focus: Willkie emphasizes respect, socialization, and mentorship. The firm does not impose billable hour targets on its associates, allowing them to focus on high-quality projects.
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Mentorship Programs: The firm offers robust mentorship programs to support the career development of its associates. New hires are allocated a partner and a third- or fourth-year associate mentor. Additionally, the mentoring pod program pairs juniors with two more partners and senior associates in their practice group.
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Training Sessions: Willkie provides extensive training sessions for its associates, covering various aspects of legal practice to help them navigate complex cases and projects.
Commitment to Pro Bono Work
Willkie Farr & Gallagher is dedicated to giving back to the community through pro bono work.
- Pro Bono Externships: The firm offers pro bono externships, providing opportunities for associates to engage in meaningful public service projects.
Recognitions and Rankings
Willkie has received numerous accolades for its work and culture.
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Vault Rankings: In 2025, Willkie ranked #35 in the Vault Law 100 and #8 in the Best Law Firms for Compensation.
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Chambers USA Accolades: The firm has received top accolades from Chambers USA for its expertise in insurance (transactional & regulatory), investment funds (regulatory & compliance), and mid-market private equity buyouts.
Litigation and Corporate Expertise
Willkie is renowned for its litigation and corporate practice.
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Litigation Expertise: The firm has represented clients in high-profile cases such as the LIBOR manipulation case (United States v. Allen) and the Avastin patent dispute (Genentech, Inc. v. Hospira, Inc.).
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Corporate Practice: Willkie specializes in corporate practice with a strong reputation in areas such as M&A, private equity, and restructuring.
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Insurance Expertise: The firm’s insurance practice is highly regarded, representing major insurance companies like Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and Prudential.
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Investment Funds Expertise: Willkie’s investment funds practice is also highly respected, particularly in regulatory and compliance matters.
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Mid-Market Private Equity Buyouts: The firm has a strong track record in mid-market private equity buyouts, providing strategic advice to clients on these transactions.
Historical Significance
Willkie Farr & Gallagher has a rich history with notable contributions to the legal field.
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Historical Significance: The firm has a rich history, with notable figures like Wendell Willkie, who joined the firm after his presidential campaign and later became F.D.R.'s personal envoy to many countries.
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Book by Wendell Willkie: Wendell Willkie wrote a book titled One World, which was a plea for global cooperation and peacekeeping.
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Hourly Rate in 1947: During Wendell Willkie’s time at the firm, the customary hourly rate for a partner was $50 ($700 in current dollar terms).
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Major Clients in the 1940s: Major clients during this period included insurance companies such as Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, New York Life, Equitable, Aetna, Connecticut General, John Hancock, and Prudential.
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Bankruptcy Expertise: Willkie emerged as a bankruptcy powerhouse in the 1960s, particularly under the leadership of Harold J. Gallagher.
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Name Change in 1968: The firm adopted its current name, Willkie Farr & Gallagher, in 1968.
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Chairman from 1969 to 1995: Bob Hodes served as the chairman of the firm from 1969 to 1995.
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Patricia M. Wald: Patricia M. Wald, a prominent lawyer and judge, was associated with the firm.
Client Base and High-Profile Cases
Willkie represents a diverse range of clients and has been involved in numerous high-profile cases.
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Client Base: Willkie represents major corporations, financial institutions, and government entities.
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Case Highlights: The firm has been involved in numerous high-profile cases, including In re The Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico.
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Litigator of the Week: Willkie litigation partner Michael Schachter was selected as The AmLaw Litigation Daily’s Litigator of the Week for his work on the LIBOR manipulation case (United States v. Allen).
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Global Investigations Review Awards: The firm was honored at the Global Investigations Review Awards for its victory in the LIBOR manipulation case.
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Hatch-Waxman Impact Case of the Year: Willkie’s win in Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. v. Hospira, Inc. was recognized as the Hatch-Waxman Impact Case of the Year by LMG Life Sciences (2018).
Commitment to Culture
Despite its rapid growth, Willkie has maintained a strong commitment to its culture.
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Commitment to Culture: Willkie emphasizes collaboration, respect, and socialization.
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Friendly Environment: The firm’s friendly and collegial environment is highlighted by numerous positive reviews from associates and clients alike.
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Socialization: Willkie places a strong emphasis on socialization among its associates and partners.
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Respect: The firm’s culture is built on a foundation of mutual respect among its members.
Willkie Farr & Gallagher: A Legacy of Excellence
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP stands as a testament to strategic growth, cultural commitment, and top-notch legal expertise. Founded in 1888, this firm has grown into a global powerhouse with 15 offices across six countries. With around 1,200 lawyers, Willkie has seen impressive revenue growth, hitting $1.5 billion in 2023. The firm’s expansion strategy has been deliberate, opening new offices in key locations and growing its London office into a market leader.
Despite rapid growth, Willkie maintains a collaborative culture, emphasizing respect, socialization, and mentorship. The firm’s commitment to high-quality work is evident in its lack of billable hour targets for associates. Willkie’s expertise spans corporate practice, litigation, insurance, and investment funds, earning top accolades from Chambers USA and Vault. From high-profile cases to robust mentorship programs, Willkie Farr & Gallagher continues to thrive, adapting and excelling in an ever-changing legal landscape.
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