Terrence J. Truax
Jenner & Block LLP is opening an office in London next month, its first location outside the U.S.
The firm has received licensing approval from the Solicitors Regulation Authority to operate, said managing partner Terrence J. Truax, and it plans to send two partners with dual U.S. and U.K. licenses to launch the office.
Jenner & Block, a litigation and transactional firm with 450 lawyers, opened its first office outside of Chicago in Washington, D.C. in 1982, opened its New York office 10 years ago and has since added Los Angeles.
Truax said the firm’s lawyers represent many global businesses and having an international platform will allow them to serve those clients better and reach new ones.
“We believe London is a natural extension of that,” he said. “It’s one of the great financial capitals of the world.”
The London office will be focused on Jenner’s strengths in litigation — white-collar crime, international arbitration and regulatory investigations.
The firm is in the process of recruiting a U.K.-based attorney to lead the office. Similar to their other office openings, Truax said the firm will work “steady and deliberately” to recruit high-caliber lawyers that mesh with the firm culture.
The new office will be in Tower 42 at 25 Old Broad St., part of a business and financial district in London that is a few blocks from the Bank of England. Jenner & Block has an entire floor in anticipation of growth in a building that houses other law firms.
The London office gives the firm a larger entry point into Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The Chicago-based firm celebrated its 100th anniversary last year.
“We are excited about this new initiative and progression for our firm as we start into our second century,” he said.
Kent Zimmermann, a law firm consultant with Zeughauser Group, said that London has one of the highest-rate markets in the world.
Jenner & Block’s decision to open there, he said, is smart because the office has a focused plan on its strengths. Other firms that didn’t have clear plans have not fared as well.
“Firms that have grown there successfully have doubled down on their strengths to attract talent that wants to be on a winning team,” he said.
U.S. firms that have done well in London include Latham & Watkins LLP and Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Zimmermann cited Jenner & Block’s talent in litigation, high-stakes disputes and international arbitration as practices that will be attractive as they grow in London.
“I think Jenner has taken a really thoughtful approach to going international and that this has served them well,” he said.