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We are a team of more than 500 professionals, with the depth of experience which makes us genuine experts in our fields. Together, gunnercooke’s people have strength across just about every corporate discipline and sector. We provide legal, commercial and strategic advice that delivers real value to the clients we work with, which span from multinational enterprises through to unicorns and non-for-profit organisations. Our breadth of expertise covers some of the most interesting and important emerging disciplines, from ESG and charity law, to blockchain and competition.
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International Offices
The gunnercooke group has 15 main offices globally including the UK, Scotland, US, Germany and Austria, with further plans for growth in the coming years. These offices enhance the existing in-house capability of our dedicated international teams and dual-qualified experts that cover China and Hong Kong, Spain, France, Italy, Brazil and Portugal. Our team has experience working across 101 different countries, speaking 30 languages and are dual-qualified in 15 jurisdictions. Our expertise means we can offer large teams to carry out complex cross-border matters for major international clients.
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Our story
gunnercooke is the fastest growing corporate law firm in the UK, now making its mark globally. We comprise a rapidly growing number of experts spanning legal and other disciplines. Clients benefit from flexible options on fees to suit their needs, access to a wider network of senior experts throughout the relationship, and legal advice which is complemented by an understanding of the commercial aspects of running a business.
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gunnercooke welcomes 20 new partners globally in Q1
gunnercooke continues to expand global operations with 20 key appointments across the UK, Germany, Austria, and the US in the first quarter of the year.
Developments so far in 2025 include an expansion into Chicago, the second US location after New York, and a new sport division headed up by new joiner Steve Kavanagh.
UK
The UK team saw continued growth, with nine new partners across multiple practice areas.
The Real Estate practice continues to thrive with Mark Rose in England and following a hugely successful 2024 for the Scottish Real Estate team, Ryan Bowie joined as Real Estate Partner with a specialism in agricultural and rural law.
Other new joiners include Philip Hooley, Dispute Resolution Partner, Andreas Pantelli, Real Estate Finance Partner, Warren Kemp, Dispute Resolution and Construction Partner, Amanda John, Construction and Engineering Partner, Philip Young, Commercial Partner, and Gary Cooper Corporate Partner.
Also joining gunnercooke is Guy Avshalom as International Corporate Strategy Partner. Having previously served as General Counsel and COO of Lionsgate UK, Guy adds to the firm’s large corporate offering.
Additionally, the launch of gunnercookeSport brought ex-EFL and Millwall Chief, Steve Kavanagh into the firm, who will be heading the team to provide a full-service offering to sports clubs and players across all levels and stages of their journey, including legal advice, operations expertise and sports management.
In addition to the nine partners, gunnercooke welcomed an additional 12 Paralegals, PAs and Trainee Solicitors, and nine Operating Partners, including Catherine Hayes, who is an expert in organisational design, change, sustainability, resilience and cultural transformation.
Europe
gunnercooke’s presence in Germany and Austria is also growing, with leading practitioners making waves in their respective fields. Peter Homberg and his team, including Judith Heimbürger and Malte Goetz, are making a significant impact in the Life Sciences sector, particularly in the evolving legal landscape of cannabis legalisation in Germany.
Further strengthening the German team, Dr. Marcus Longino leads the German Employment Law practice, while Dr. Oliver Waldburg provides expertise in Banking & Finance.
In Austria, Sonja Karpf continues to be a key player in Dispute Resolution and Negotiation, Contract Law and Strategic Advisory, as well as Public and Trade Law.
US
gunnercooke’s recent expansion into Chicago marks another significant milestone, following the success of the New York office.
The Chicago team is composed of a group of Corporate Partners, including Andrew Geier, Nicholas Isaacson, Kelley Smith, Randall Schwartz, and Shannon Geier.
Darryl Cooke, Founder of gunnercooke, said: “As we continue our global expansion in 2025, we’ve already seen some brilliant talent joining gunnercooke across our 14 offices. People join gunnercooke to set-up and scale-up the practice they’ve always wanted, and we give them the tools to become entrepreneurs as well as lawyers or advisors. I’m proud to say we have built a culture and community of like-minded people who are aligned on our wider purpose.”
Find out more about life at gunnercooke here.
