Gowling WLG
| No. of offices | +20 |
|---|---|
| No. of lawyers | +1,500 [1] |
| Key people |
|
| Date founded | 2016 |
| Company type | Company limited by guarantee; separate limited liability partnerships in Canada and the United Kingdom |
| Website | www |
Gowling WLG is a multinational business law firm with approximately 1500 lawyers working across eight countries. As of 2025, it is the largest law firm in Canada, the 15th largest in the UK, and the 88th largest in the world by revenue.
Overview
Gowling WLG was formed in 2016 through the combination of Canada-based Gowlings and UK-based Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co, whose predecessor firms date back to 1887 and 1834 respectively. The firm offers comprehensive legal services across key global sectors including life sciences, financial services, energy, infrastructure, government, technology, real estate, natural resources, and automotive.
Gowling WLG is consistently recognised as a market leader, earning top-tier rankings in Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500 across multiple practice areas, with Band 1 positions in construction, intellectual property, corporate, and energy. Its global IP strength is underscored by Tier 1 placements in Managing IP’s IP Stars and wins at the Global IP Awards for patent and trademark work. The firm is also celebrated for its workplace culture, maintaining Great Place to Work® certification for over two decades and ranking among the UK’s Best Workplaces™.
Gowling WLG (UK) LLP acted as Official Legal Advisers and an Official Sponsor of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, as well as Team England.
Legal structure
Gowling WLG International Limited is an English company limited by guarantee comprising two limited liability partnerships: Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP and Gowling WLG (UK) LLP. Legal services are provided by the two partnerships, which are financially separate.[2] The structure is similar to the Swiss Verein structure used by several other major international law firms.[3]
Offices
The firm has more than 20 offices across Canada, the UK, continental Europe, the Middle East, and China.[4] The firm also maintained an office in Russia until the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, after which Gowling joined other businesses in departing the Russian market.
Notable professionals and alumni
- Leonard Walter Brockington (1888–1966). Founding chairman of the CBC, 1936-1939;[5] Rector of Queen's University, 1947–1966.[6]
- Gordon F. Henderson (1912–1993). President of the Canadian Bar Association, 1979–1980;[7] Chancellor of the University of Ottawa, 1991–1993.[8]
- Roy McMurtry (1932–2024). Attorney General of Ontario, 1975–1985; High Commissioner of Canada to the UK, 1985–1988; Chief Justice of Ontario, 1996–2007.[9]
- Ray Hnatyshyn (1934–2002). 24th Governor General of Canada, 1990–1995.[10]
- Ian Scott (1934–2006). Attorney General of Ontario, 1985–1990.[11]
- Donald Mazankowski (1935–2020). Deputy Prime Minister of Canada, 1986–1993.[12]
- Martin Cauchon (b. 1962). Minister of Justice (Canada) and Attorney General of Canada, 2002–2003.[13]
- Lawrence Cannon (b. 1947). Minister of Transport (Canada), 2006–2008; Minister of Foreign Affairs (Canada), 2006–2008.[14][15]
- Frank Marrocco. Associate Chief Justice of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, 2005–2020.[16]
- Robert Ghiz (b. 1974) 31st Premier of Prince Edward Island, 2016.
- Malcolm Rowe (b. 1953) Judge of the Supreme Court of Canada, 1984-1996.[17]
References
- ^ "Law firms Gowlings, Wragge Lawrence merge to form Gowling WLG". Reuters. 22 February 2016. Archived from the original on February 25, 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
- ^ "About the structure of Gowling WLG". Archived from the original on 12 October 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
- ^ Mackrael, Kim (8 July 2015). "Gowlings Law Firm to Combine With U.K.'s Wragge Lawrence Graham". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
- ^ "NEW INTERNATIONAL LAW FIRM GOWLING WLG LAUNCHES TODAY". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
- ^ Brockington, Leonard (1954). "St. George and Merrie England". The Empire Club of Canada Speeches 1953-1954. The Empire Club Foundation. Archived from the original on 2007-02-13. Retrieved 2007-02-05.
- ^ "Rectors | Queen's Encyclopedia". www.queensu.ca. Retrieved 2024-08-23.
- ^ "CBA Past Presidents". Canadian Bar Association. 2006. Archived from the original on 2007-02-10. Retrieved 2007-02-05.
- ^ "Past Chancellors of the University". Administration & Governance. University of Ottawa. Archived from the original on 2007-02-09. Retrieved 2007-02-05.
- ^ McNish, Jacquie (2007-06-05). "McMurtry's pro bono crusade". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2007-06-08.
- ^ "Hnatyshyn named Chancellor". Carleton University. 2002. Archived from the original on 2006-10-13. Retrieved 2007-02-05.
- ^ Horgan, Mary Ann; Sine MacKinnon (1997-05-30). "Justice deCarteret Cory, Ian Scott, and Mel Lastman to receive honorary degrees from York University". Media Release Archive. York University. p. 1. Retrieved 2007-02-05.
- ^ "Rt. Hon Donald F. Mazankowski". Forbes.com. Retrieved 2007-02-05.
- ^ Bernstein, Hannah (2004-08-17). "Martin Cauchon receives CBA SOGIC Ally Award". Canadian Bar Association. cba.org. Archived from the original on 2007-04-21. Retrieved 2007-02-05.
- ^ http://www.international.gc.ca/ministers-ministres/Lawrence_Cannon.aspx?view=d
- ^ Gray, Jeff (2011-10-04)"Lawrence Cannon Lands at Gowlings" globeandmail.com Retrieved 2011-11-14
- ^ Ontario Courts website
- ^ https://gowlingwlg.com/en-ca/news/awards-recognition/2016/gowling-wlg-alumnus-justice-rowe-nominated-to-the