Gowling WLG International Limited

Gowling WLG is an international law firm built on the belief that the best way to serve you is to be in tune with your world, aligned with your opportunity and ambitious for your success.
1,400+
Number of legal professionals
Focused on key global sectors, including energy, financial services, life sciences, natural resources, infrastructure, real estate and tech.
Around the world, our 1,400+ legal professionals and dedicated business support teams apply our deep sector expertise to understand your business and help you succeed.
19
Number of cities with offices
Repeatedly recognised as a top employer, and committed to diversity, inclusion and innovation.
9,400+
Number of pro bono hours
175
Number of individuals listed in Chambers & Legal 500
Gowling WLG clients, get access to in-depth expertise in key global sectors and a suite of legal services. With over 1,400 legal professionals across 19 cities worldwide and specialised expertise in countries around the globe, we're positioned to help you rise to the challenges you face - both today, and tomorrow.
211
Number of practices listed in Chambers & Legal 500

We're proud to be recognised as a top employer, and actively encourage diversity and inclusion in our workplaces. Not only does this allow us to attract and retain the best talent, it also helps us attract and retain great clients, who? know that motivated and engaged people produce higher quality work, approach problems with creativity and ingenuity, and will go the distance to help them succeed. Learn more about careers at Gowling WLG.
About the founding firms

Gowling WLG represents a natural evolution for its founding firms - Gowlings and Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co - who, throughout their histories, have continually adapted to better serve their clients' needs.

Gowlings logo

With roots tracing back to 1887, Gowlings has grown to become one of the largest and most respected law firms in Canada, with a reputation for innovation in client-focused service delivery.

Building on its early strength in intellectual property, Gowlings has diversified to offer a full suite of business law, litigation and intellectual property services in all of Canada's key industries, including energy, mining, financial services, government, infrastructure, manufacturing, life sciences and technology. Gowlings ranks among the busiest law firms in the world for Canadian M&A, and is known for its deep expertise in client advocacy before courts, tribunals, regulatory bodies and governments in Canada.

Becoming a founding member of an international law firm is a natural progression for Gowlings, which has always operated with an international mindset, forming strong partnerships globally to better serve the needs of its clients. Prior to the combination with Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co, Gowlings was home to 2,000 people in 10 offices across Canada and in London, Moscow and Beijing.

Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co logo

Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co (WLG) was formed by the merger of Wragge & Co and Lawrence Graham in May 2014.

The move introduced a new firm to the UK legal market, giving clients access to a broader range of services, increased capability in London and the UK, and enhanced international coverage. WLG is synonymous with outstanding client service and sector knowledge providing advice and solutions based on understanding the commercial issues, challenges and opportunities clients face. The merger created one of the UK's largest real estate practices - a broad-based practice acting for institutions, investors, developers and occupiers - and the UK's number one AIM firm; a position further enhanced through WLG's combination with Gowlings.

WLG has a strong financial services pedigree thanks to its market-leading investment funds practice, award-winning pensions experts and a highly rated private capital team, which advises UK and international high-net-worth individuals. In dispute resolution, WLG brought together Wragge & Co's strengths in intellectual property, construction and commercial litigation with Lawrence Graham's focus on international disputes, particularly in the areas of fraud and asset tracing, contentious trusts and insurance/reinsurance.

WLG can trace its roots back to 1730, when Lawrence Graham became one of the first law firms to register in the City of London. Wragge & Co was founded in 1834. Since then, both have established themselves as major UK firms before embarking on international growth. Wragge & Co opened offices in Germany and China in 2008, a full service office in Paris in 2010 and in Dubai in 2011. Lawrence Graham opened its first overseas office in 2003 in Monaco, followed by Dubai, Singapore and Moscow (the latter by joint venture).

Forming WLG was the first step towards creating a new international law firm. As a founding member of Gowling WLG, the firm offers clients increased international capability, connections and coverage.
Gowling WLG Structure

Around the world, our member firms operate and provide legal services to clients as separate legal entities under the common brand of Gowling WLG.

Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP and Gowling WLG (UK) LLP are members of Gowling WLG International Limited, a company limited by guarantee registered in England. Gowling WLG is the name and brand under which the members of Gowling WLG International Limited and their respective affiliates provide services around the world. However, Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP and Gowling WLG (UK) LLP operate and carry on business as independent and autonomous entities. They are not one international partnership and the members of Gowling WLG International Limited are not legal partners with each other. Gowling WLG International Limited does not provide legal or other services to clients. Rather, its purpose is to act as a coordinating entity for its members. Our structure is explained in more detail on our Legal Information page.

London is renowned for its thriving economy and ability to attract international business and finance. We offer you genuine insider knowledge of London and the City. Whatever the deal, dispute or project, our lawyers are ideally placed to advise. Making a real connection with our people and clients, we use commercial and innovative thinking to provide the legal solutions our clients need to thrive and prosper, wherever they are in the world. With bases in London and Birmingham - the UK's second city - we can also deliver this first-class legal advice in a flexible and cost-effective manner.