Pinsent Masons LLP is a multinational law firm which specialises in the energy, infrastructure, financial services, real estate and technology, science & industry sectors.[3] The firm ranks among the top hundred law firms in the world by turnover.[4]
Pinsent Masons LLP has over 430 partners, a total legal team of around 1,900 people and more than 3,000 employees.[5] More than 500 of the firm's staff are based in its international headquarters in the City of London. It has more PLC clients than any law firm except one.[6]
Pinsent Masons was named 'Law Firm of the Year' in 2021 and 2016 by respected industry magazine Legal Business,[7] 'Law Firm of the Year 2018' at The Lawyer Awards[8] and 'Law Firm of the Year' 2016 at Law.com's British Legal Awards.[9] In 2020 and 2015 it was named 'The Most Innovative Law Firm in Europe' by the Financial Times.[10]
The firm has 26 offices across Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East. In 2017, Pinsent Masons entered into an association with Saudi-based law firm AlSabhan & Alajaji.[11]
History
Pinsent Masons has roots dating back to 1769. The modern day firm is the product of a series of mergers between firms including Pinsent & Co, Masons, Simpson Curtis, Biddle & Co, L'Estrange & Brett and McGrigors. Alumni of the legacy firms include former British Chancellor Alistair Darling.[12]
The firm's board is led by Senior Partner Andrew Masraf[14] and Managing Partner Laura Cameron. In 2016 the firm announced the appointment of former Secretary of State for International Development Douglas Alexander as a strategic adviser,[15] and appointed its first external board member in the form of former banker Pauline Egan.[16]
Strategy
Unlike many firms of its size, the firm professes to specialise in only five global sectors: financial services, technology, science & industry, energy, real estate and infrastructure.[17]
Innovation
Pinsent Masons has won awards for innovation.[18] In 2013 it was in the vanguard of firms to launch a contract lawyer service, called Vario.[19] It also secured mandates to act as 'sole adviser' to corporates including Balfour Beatty[20] and E.ON.[21] In 2015 the firm acquired the majority stake in Cerico, an online compliance business.[22]