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Linklaters

Linklaters

A brief history of

A brief history of

Alin George Ilinca

Aug 26, 2025

Linklaters: A Brief History Of

1838 → John Linklater (21) qualifies and joins Julius Dods as a partner, forming Dods & Linklater. No other person in the firm’s history has been made a partner immediately on qualification.

1843 → John’s brother, James, becomes a partner. Firm renamed Dods & Linklaters.

1845 → Dods leaves. Firm becomes J. & J.H. Linklater.

1855 → J. & J.H. Linklater & Hackwood.

1865 → JJ. & J.H. Linklater, Hackwood & Addison.

1870 → Linklater, Hackwood, Addison & Brown.

1879 → The last Linklater leaves the firm.

1895 → Linklater, Addison, Brown & Jones.

1907 → Jones departs. Firm rebrands as Linklater & Co.

1918 → Linklater & Co merges with Surtees, Philpotts & Co.

1920 → Merges with Paines, Blythe & Huxtable, becoming Linklater & Paines.

1962 → Opens office in Milan.

1972 → Opens office in New York.

1973 → Opens offices in Brussels and Paris.

1995 → Relocates London office to One Silk Street.

1998 → Forms Linklaters & Alliance with leading European firms.

2002 → Merges with multiple firms, rebranding as Linklaters.

2004 → ’Clear blue water’ strategy halved partners, boosting profitability by 25% in a year.

2005 → Merges with Yasuda and Wani, becoming Japan’s first fully merged law firm.

2008 → Becomes the largest law firm by revenue.

2012 → Forms integrated alliance with Allens

2013 → Forms alliance with Webber Wentzel.

2024 → 31 Offices and Counting

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Linklaters: A Brief History Of

1838 → John Linklater (21) qualifies and joins Julius Dods as a partner, forming Dods & Linklater. No other person in the firm’s history has been made a partner immediately on qualification.

1843 → John’s brother, James, becomes a partner. Firm renamed Dods & Linklaters.

1845 → Dods leaves. Firm becomes J. & J.H. Linklater.

1855 → J. & J.H. Linklater & Hackwood.

1865 → JJ. & J.H. Linklater, Hackwood & Addison.

1870 → Linklater, Hackwood, Addison & Brown.

1879 → The last Linklater leaves the firm.

1895 → Linklater, Addison, Brown & Jones.

1907 → Jones departs. Firm rebrands as Linklater & Co.

1918 → Linklater & Co merges with Surtees, Philpotts & Co.

1920 → Merges with Paines, Blythe & Huxtable, becoming Linklater & Paines.

1962 → Opens office in Milan.

1972 → Opens office in New York.

1973 → Opens offices in Brussels and Paris.

1995 → Relocates London office to One Silk Street.

1998 → Forms Linklaters & Alliance with leading European firms.

2002 → Merges with multiple firms, rebranding as Linklaters.

2004 → ’Clear blue water’ strategy halved partners, boosting profitability by 25% in a year.

2005 → Merges with Yasuda and Wani, becoming Japan’s first fully merged law firm.

2008 → Becomes the largest law firm by revenue.

2012 → Forms integrated alliance with Allens

2013 → Forms alliance with Webber Wentzel.

2024 → 31 Offices and Counting

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Linklaters: A Brief History Of

1838 → John Linklater (21) qualifies and joins Julius Dods as a partner, forming Dods & Linklater. No other person in the firm’s history has been made a partner immediately on qualification.

1843 → John’s brother, James, becomes a partner. Firm renamed Dods & Linklaters.

1845 → Dods leaves. Firm becomes J. & J.H. Linklater.

1855 → J. & J.H. Linklater & Hackwood.

1865 → JJ. & J.H. Linklater, Hackwood & Addison.

1870 → Linklater, Hackwood, Addison & Brown.

1879 → The last Linklater leaves the firm.

1895 → Linklater, Addison, Brown & Jones.

1907 → Jones departs. Firm rebrands as Linklater & Co.

1918 → Linklater & Co merges with Surtees, Philpotts & Co.

1920 → Merges with Paines, Blythe & Huxtable, becoming Linklater & Paines.

1962 → Opens office in Milan.

1972 → Opens office in New York.

1973 → Opens offices in Brussels and Paris.

1995 → Relocates London office to One Silk Street.

1998 → Forms Linklaters & Alliance with leading European firms.

2002 → Merges with multiple firms, rebranding as Linklaters.

2004 → ’Clear blue water’ strategy halved partners, boosting profitability by 25% in a year.

2005 → Merges with Yasuda and Wani, becoming Japan’s first fully merged law firm.

2008 → Becomes the largest law firm by revenue.

2012 → Forms integrated alliance with Allens

2013 → Forms alliance with Webber Wentzel.

2024 → 31 Offices and Counting

📩 Don’t miss the next article, event, or opportunity — sign up to Equal Opportunity and get everything straight to your inbox.