Allen & Overy LLP was a British multinational law firm headquartered in London, England. The firm had 590 partners and over 5,800 employees worldwide.[2] In 2023 A&O reported an increase in revenue to GBP2.1 billion and was the second largest law firm headquartered in the UK by revenue.[3] In 2024 it merged with Shearman & Sterling to form A&O Shearman.
History
Allen & Overy was founded in London on 1 January 1930 by George Allen and Thomas Overy, formerly partners at Roney & Co.[4][5] The main purpose was to build a commercial practice. The firm's reputation was made as a result of George Allen's role as adviser to King Edward VIII during the abdication crisis of 1936.[6]