As a member of the UKs magic circle of leading law firms, Allen & Overy is widely considered one of the worlds premier law firms, advising national and multinational corporations, financial institutions, and governments. The firm was founded in 1930 and has grown into a transnational business with more than 5,000 staff across 43 offices in 30 countries.
Allen & Overy has an extensive global pro bono and community affairs programme. In 2009 A&O launched the Smart Start Experience the largest programme undertaken in the UK by a law firm to broaden access to top professions for young people from socially disadvantaged backgrounds. The scheme was praised in the UK government’s report on Fair Access to the Professions. In 2010 the scheme won a prestigious Lord Mayors Dragon Award, which celebrates community investment in London.
Allen & Overy has held a three-year relationship with the Red Cross, during that time the firm contributed to the development of a new Model Law on disaster relief as well as raised and donated over £600,000 for the Red Cross’s work around the world. Allen & Overy also has a global charity partnership with Afrikids, which was formally launched in May 2012 and aims to alleviate child suffering and poverty in Ghana.
Global Managing Partner, Wim Dejonghe has had a prolific career in the legal sector and co-authored the book M&A in Belgium, which is the only in-depth and comprehensive legal guide to Belgian merger and acquisition transactions. Wim sat down with The CEO Magazine to look at his professional history, the changes hes seen within the business and wider industry, plus Allen & Overys vision for the future.