Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance is a leading international law firm. Its primary activity is to provide legal and advisory services to a global clientele. The firm operates in numerous areas of law, including corporate law, capital markets, finance, taxation, intellectual property, dispute resolution, real estate, competition, energy, energy transition, fund management, technology, and ESG (environment, social and governance).Clifford Chance thus offers specialized legal services such as structuring complex transactions, managing international litigation, advising on regulatory compliance, managing infrastructure projects, protecting intellectual property, and supporting merger and acquisition transactions.The firm primarily serves companies, financial institutions, investment funds, public sector actors and international organizations, operating in varied sectors such as banking, energy, healthcare, industry, real estate, technology, media, telecommunications, insurance, and the public sector. Its global presence enables it to serve clients across all major economic markets.

Clifford Chance is one of the largest international law firms, recognized for its legal and commercial expertise worldwide. The company’s history dates back to the 1987 merger of two London firms, Clifford-Turner and Coward Chance, thus creating Clifford Chance. This merger marked the beginning of its rapid international expansion.

Over the decades, Clifford Chance has experienced several key stages of development:

• Creation and merger (1987): The merger of Clifford-Turner and Coward Chance gave rise to a firm of international stature.
• International expansion: From the 1990s, Clifford Chance opened offices in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas, becoming one of the first firms to adopt a truly global strategy.
• Sectoral development: The firm diversified its areas of expertise, covering sectors such as banking, energy, technology, real estate, healthcare, infrastructure, and many others.
• Innovation and digitalization: Clifford Chance invests in legal innovation, with digital solutions such as CC Dr@ft (document automation), litigation management tools, and sector monitoring platforms.
• Partnerships and acquisitions: The firm regularly partners with major players to support complex international operations and advises leading clients on strategic transactions, such as recently with Heineken, BlackRock, or Partners Group.
• CSR and inclusion commitment: Clifford Chance is committed to diversity, inclusion, social responsibility, and sustainable development, integrating these values into its overall strategy.
• Strategic adaptation: The firm continuously adapts its strategy to respond to market developments, notably on ESG issues, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and sustainable finance.

Today, Clifford Chance has offices in more than 30 countries and supports its clients in all major global markets, relying on multidisciplinary expertise and a strong capacity for innovation.

The Clifford Chance firm was founded in 1987 following the merger between Clifford-Turner and Coward Chance. The historical founders came from these two prestigious London firms. Today, Clifford Chance is led by an international team. The Global Managing Partner is Charles Adams. Other key members of the management team include Matthew Layton (Senior Partner until 2022), Jeroen Ouwehand (Global Senior Partner), as well as regional and sector leaders based in the firm’s various offices around the world.