Watson Farley & Williams
| Company type | Law firm |
|---|---|
| Industry | Legal services |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Headquarters | London , United Kingdom |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Legal counsel in Energy & Infrastructure, Maritime, Natural Resources, Real Estate, Transport sectors |
Number of employees | 500+ |
Watson Farley & Williams (commonly known as WFW) is a global law firm based in London, employing more than 500 lawyers distributed among 15 offices worldwide.
History
Established in 1982 with a primary focus on shipping and shipping finance, Watson Farley & Williams has broadened its expertise to encompass Energy & Infrastructure, Maritime, Natural Resources, Real Estate, and Transport sectors. The firm caters to major clients involved in international transactions and large-scale projects.
WFW maintains 14 offices across Europe, Asia, and the United States. Notable recent office launches include locations in Hong Kong (March 2012), Frankfurt (January 2013), and Dubai (September 2014).
The Hong Kong branch was inaugurated through a partnership with Lau, Leong & Co., strengthening WFW’s footprint in Asia’s maritime and infrastructure arenas. The Frankfurt office was established with a regulatory-focused team specializing in energy, infrastructure, and real estate, thereby enhancing the firm’s presence within continental Europe. The Dubai office represents WFW’s strategic expansion into the Middle Eastern market.
In October 2015, WFW entered into an alliance with Hanoi-based boutique firm LVN & Associates, marking its debut in Vietnam and indicating intentions for further growth within China.
Key sectors
The firm provides legal counsel across several principal industries:
- Energy & Infrastructure
- Maritime
- Natural Resources
- Real Estate
- Transport