Six Decades of Principled
Legal Leadership

From a single office in New York to 38 offices worldwide, Lawrence Andersen has built a legacy of legal excellence guided by unwavering integrity and client-first principles.

Built on Trust,
Driven by Results

Founded in 1982 by partners Harold Meridian and Thomas Aldrich, our firm began with a simple philosophy: provide clients with counsel of the highest caliber, backed by deep sector expertise and relentless commitment to outcomes.

Over six decades, we have grown organically and through strategic combinations with elite regional practices — always maintaining our culture of excellence, collaboration, and integrity that defines Lawrence Andersen.

Today, with more than 1,200 attorneys across six continents, we remain at the forefront of the most complex and consequential legal matters in the global economy.

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1982

Founding

Meridian & Aldrich LLP established in New York with 12 attorneys and a focus on corporate law.

1978

London Expansion

Opened our first international office in the City of London, marking the start of our global footprint.

1995

Asia-Pacific Launch

Established offices in Hong Kong and Singapore, building deep relationships across the region.

2008

Rebranded as Lawrence Andersen

Following merger with Aldrich Group, rebranded to reflect our global reach and unified vision.

2019

Middle East & Africa

Launched offices in Dubai and Johannesburg, completing our six-continent presence.

2026

Today

1200+ attorneys, 38 offices, recognized as a Top 10 Global Law Firm by The American Lawyer.

Our Core Values

01

Integrity Above All

We hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards in every matter, every day. Our reputation is built on the trust clients, courts, and counterparties place in us — and we never take that trust for granted.

02

Client-First Excellence

Our clients' success is our success. We bring the full depth of our expertise, resources, and creativity to every engagement — treating each client's matter as the most important one we handle.

03

Global Collaboration

We harness the collective intelligence of 1,200+ attorneys across 38 offices, working seamlessly across borders, time zones, and practice areas to deliver integrated, world-class solutions.

04

Relentless Innovation

The legal landscape is evolving rapidly. We invest heavily in technology, process innovation, and creative legal thinking to stay ahead of change and deliver smarter, faster, better outcomes.

05

Inclusive Excellence

We believe diverse perspectives produce better legal solutions. Our commitment to inclusion is not aspirational — it is embedded in how we recruit, develop, and lead at every level of the firm.

06

Community Responsibility

Lawrence Andersen serves a role in society beyond our clients. Our pro bono commitment, sustainability programs, and civic leadership reflect our belief in the lawyer's broader duty to justice.

The People Who Lead

Our firm's leadership brings together decades of legal experience, strategic vision, and a shared commitment to the values that have defined Lawrence Andersen since 1982.

Leader photo
Managing Partner & CEO
Barister Lawrence Andersen

With 32 years at Lawrence Andersen, Jonathan leads the firm's global strategy and operations. He is recognized as one of the world's leading M&A lawyers, having advised on transactions exceeding $400 billion.

Leader photo
Deputy Managing Partner
Mary W. Lancaster

Mary oversees the firm's Asia-Pacific operations and co-chairs the Global Finance practice. A former partner at a Big Four firm, she joined the firm in 2004 and became the firm's youngest Deputy MP.

Leader photo
Global Chair, Litigation
Marcus J. Alderton

Marcus leads our global litigation practice and has tried more than 80 complex commercial cases to verdict. He serves on the firm's Executive Committee and chairs our Pro Bono Leadership Council.

Leader photo
Chief Operating Officer
Patricia O'Brien

Patricia oversees firm operations, technology, and business development globally. With a background in management consulting, she has driven Lawrence Andersen's digital transformation and innovation agenda.

Leader photo
Global Chair, Corporate
Ahmed Al-Wazir

Ahmed leads our global Corporate practice from Dubai and London, advising sovereign wealth funds and major financial institutions. He is consistently ranked in the top tier by Chambers Global.

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Chief Diversity Officer
Lauren Mitchell

Lauren drives Lawrence Andersen's diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy globally. Under her leadership, the firm has achieved gender parity at the partner level and launched award-winning pipeline programs.

Lawrence Andersen Oslo office
Since
1982

A Culture Built on Collaboration

At Lawrence Andersen, our culture is not a byproduct of our success — it is the source of it. We have cultivated an environment where exceptional lawyers can do the best work of their careers, supported by world-class colleagues and resources.

We invest heavily in professional development, mentorship, and the well-being of our people. We celebrate achievement, learn from challenges, and grow together as a firm and as individuals.

Mentorship

Every associate is paired with a senior partner mentor from day one.

Development

200+ hours of CLE and professional training offered annually.

Well-being

Comprehensive mental health support and flexible work policies.

Community

Firm-wide volunteer programs and charitable giving initiatives.

Service Beyond Billable Hours

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180K+

Pro Bono Hours

Our attorneys collectively deliver over 180,000 hours of pro bono legal service annually, one of the highest rates in the industry.

$95M

Value of Services

The estimated value of pro bono work delivered by Lawrence Andersen attorneys to underserved individuals and nonprofit organizations each year.

400+

Nonprofit Partners

We maintain active relationships with more than 400 nonprofit and civil society organizations across our global office network.

96%

Attorney Participation

Near-universal participation in our pro bono programs reflects the deep personal commitment of our attorneys to justice and community.

Building a More Inclusive Profession

At Lawrence Andersen, diversity, equity, and inclusion are not programs — they are values we live every day. We believe that diverse teams produce better legal thinking, stronger client outcomes, and a healthier profession.

Our award-winning DEI initiatives span recruitment, retention, advancement, and pay equity. We partner with law schools, bar associations, and pipeline organizations to expand access to our profession and create pathways for underrepresented lawyers.

We publish an annual DEI report with transparent data on our progress and areas where we must do more. We hold ourselves accountable — to our people, our clients, and the communities we serve.

Read Our DEI Report

51%

Women in associate class

43%

Partners from minority backgrounds

38

DEI awards received since 2015

#3

Law Firm DEI Index ranking

Awards & Rankings

2026

Law Firm of the Year

Recognized for outstanding client service, deal volume, and innovation in legal practice across global markets.

IFLR Europe Awards
2026

Band 1 — Corporate/M&A

Top-tier ranking in corporate and M&A across the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Middle East regions.

Chambers Global
2026

Top 10 Global Law Firm

Ranked among the ten largest and highest-grossing law firms globally based on revenue and headcount.

The American Lawyer
2025

Pro Bono Firm of the Year

Honored for exceptional commitment to pro bono legal service and access-to-justice initiatives worldwide.

American Bar Association
2025

Most Innovative Law Firm

Recognized for pioneering legal technology adoption, process innovation, and alternative fee structures.

Financial Times
2025

DEI Excellence Award

Industry-leading recognition for sustained progress on diversity, equity, and inclusion across all firm levels.

Minority Corporate Counsel Assoc.

Build Your Career at
Lawrence Andersen

We're always seeking exceptional legal talent. Explore opportunities across our global offices and practice areas.