A RELENTLESS FOCUS on globalization and tight management has made London-based Linklaters one of the world’s biggest and richest firms. Can it keep up the momentum as the architect of its success prepares to step down
For a generation, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meager & Flom stood alone among law firms in combining mammoth size with regal wealth. Well, move over, Joe Flom. With revenue of more than $2 billion and profits per equity partner approaching $2.4 million, Linklaters has surpassed Skadden on both measures. As managing partner Tony Angel’s nine-year tenure draws to a close, Linklaters is both big and rich. How big and rich Chew on this: You could put together a three-way merger among Davis Polk & Wardwell; Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton; and Debevoise & Plimpton, and, on a pro forma basis, Linklaters would outstrip it in both revenue and profits per equity partner.
