40 Facts About Baker Mckenzie

Founding and Early Years

Baker McKenzie has a storied history that began over 75 years ago. Let's dive into the early days of this global law firm.

1. Baker McKenzie was founded in 1949 by Russell Baker and John McKenzie. The firm started with just four lawyers and a secretary, with initial fees totaling $75,000.
2. Russell Baker's Background: Born in 1901 in Portage, Wisconsin, Baker's family moved to Texas and later New Mexico, where he developed a passion for diverse cultures. He rode cattle cars to enroll at the University of Chicago, where he met his wife, Elizabeth.
3. Early Practice: Baker began his law practice in 1925 with a friend, opening Baker & Simpson. He focused on helping Mexican nationals, specializing in immigration, bankruptcy, criminal, and tort law.
4. Diversity and Inclusion: Baker's commitment to diversity was evident early on. He brought Corrine Rice, an appellate lawyer, into the firm in 1928. Rice became a name partner, and her name stayed on the door until 1949, five years after her death.

Expansion and Global Reach

Baker McKenzie didn't stay small for long. The firm quickly expanded its reach, both geographically and in terms of practice areas.

5. Corporate Practice: In 1933, Abbott Laboratories began expanding internationally. Baker added it to his corporate practice, creating one of the world's first truly global corporate practices.
6. Tax Planning: The US tax code was amended in 1942 to encourage investment in Latin America. Baker saw an opportunity and started one of the world's largest tax planning practices.
7. Formation of Baker McKenzie: In 1948, Russell Baker and John McKenzie met by chance while sharing a cab. Within a year, they joined forces to establish the firm.
8. First International Office: Baker McKenzie began its first operation outside the US in Venezuela in 1955. Baker's son Donald moved to Caracas to work with Ramon Diaz, who became the first non-US partner in the firm.
9. European Expansion: In 1957, Baker McKenzie opened an office in Brussels, marking the beginning of a rapid growth period that saw the opening of 17 new offices, including eight in Europe, over the next decade.
10. Global Reach: By 1960, Baker McKenzie had 85 lawyers in 13 locations worldwide, with total fees of $2.5 million. The firm expanded its services to include intellectual property law.

Key Milestones

Baker McKenzie has achieved numerous milestones that have shaped its journey and solidified its position as a global leader.

11. Intellectual Property Practice: Horst Werder helped establish Baker McKenzie's intellectual property practice in 1962. Early clients included Estée Lauder Cosmetics, whom the firm still represents today.
12. John McKenzie's Passing: John McKenzie died suddenly of a heart attack in 1962 at the age of 49. By then, the firm had 85 lawyers in 13 locations worldwide.
13. Asia-Pacific Expansion: In 1963, Baker McKenzie expanded to the Asia-Pacific region with operations in Manila and Sydney the following year.
14. London Office: Terence Lane joined Baker McKenzie in 1961 to open the firm's ninth location worldwide. London eventually became the firm's largest office.
15. Global Fee Income: By 2016, Baker McKenzie had achieved global fee income of $2.62 billion, with 13,000 people, including 1,580 fee earners, and 6,045 partners across 77 countries.

Commitment to Diversity and Innovation

Baker McKenzie has always been a pioneer in promoting diversity and embracing innovation.

16. Chambers Lawyer Rankings: Baker McKenzie consistently ranks high in the Chambers Lawyer Rankings, with 447 rankings in 2024.
17. Multijurisdictional Deals: The firm excels in multijurisdictional deals, with 65% of its deals involving multiple jurisdictions.
18. Women Partners: Baker McKenzie has a strong commitment to diversity, with 400 women partners.
19. Sustainability Report: The firm is committed to responsible business practices, as evident from its annual sustainability report.
20. Reinvent Program: Baker McKenzie's innovation program, Reinvent, brings together all the firm's change initiatives to support better client outcomes.
21. Fintech Insights: The firm provides forward-looking insights on fintech trends through its podcast series.
22. Global Disputes Forecast: Baker McKenzie publishes an annual report on global disputes trends.
23. Workforce Redesign Hub: The firm's Workforce Redesign Hub focuses on how businesses can build flexible futures.

Leadership and Future Outlook

Baker McKenzie's leadership has been instrumental in its growth and success.

24. History of Innovation: From its early days, Baker McKenzie has been at the forefront of innovation.
25. Leadership: Paul Rawlinson has been the Chairman of Baker McKenzie since 2017.
26. Global Presence: Baker McKenzie operates in 74 offices across 45 countries.
27. Client Solutions: The firm offers integrated legal solutions to complex business challenges.
28. Commitment to Diversity: Baker McKenzie has a long-standing commitment to diversity and inclusion.
29. Community Engagement: The firm engages in various community activities and initiatives.
30. Innovative Practices: Baker McKenzie has been at the forefront of innovative legal practices.

Specialized Practice Areas

Baker McKenzie offers a wide range of specialized legal services to meet the diverse needs of its clients.

31. Tax Expertise: The firm's tax planning practice is one of its most significant areas of expertise.
32. Corporate Governance: Baker McKenzie provides comprehensive corporate governance advice to clients.
33. Dispute Resolution: The firm has a robust dispute resolution practice, focusing on negotiation and mediation.
34. Employment Law: Baker McKenzie offers specialized employment law services.
35. Real Estate Law: The firm provides comprehensive real estate law services.
36. Environmental Law: Baker McKenzie has a dedicated environmental law practice.
37. Healthcare Law: The firm offers specialized healthcare law services.
38. Technology Law: Baker McKenzie has a robust technology law practice.
39. Financial Services Law: The firm provides comprehensive financial services law advice.
40. Future Outlook: As Baker McKenzie looks to the future, it remains committed to its core values of innovation, diversity, and client service.

Baker McKenzie: A Legacy of Innovation and Diversity

Baker McKenzie stands tall as a global legal powerhouse. Founded in 1949 by Russell Baker and John McKenzie, it has grown from a small firm to a global giant with 74 offices in 45 countries. The firm's commitment to diversity and inclusion is evident, with 400 women partners and a rich history of embracing different cultures. Its innovative practices in tax planning, intellectual property, and corporate law have set industry standards. The firm's dedication to sustainability and community engagement further highlights its role as a responsible global citizen. With a strong focus on client solutions and continuous improvement through programs like Reinvent, Baker McKenzie remains at the forefront of the legal profession. As it looks to the future, the firm continues to uphold its core values, ensuring its legacy of excellence endures.