Some WFW highlights from 2009
January
WFW London holds a breakfast briefing on corporate manslaughter, the first of three employment law seminars for Institute of Risk Management members.
February
Having outgrown its old offices, WFW New York relocates to larger premises at 1133 Avenue of the Americas.
March
The firm wins the London League Weavers Arms Challenge Cup football tournament, beating Ashurst in the final.
April
WFW founding partner Martin Watson comments in the Chamber of Shipping Annual Review - as its first president from outside the shipping industry.
May
WFW is ranked in the top 20 for trade and commodities finance by Global Trade Review - the world's leading international trade finance magazine.
June
The annual London to Brighton bike ride team, Watson's Wheelers, raises nearly £2,000 for the British Heart Foundation.
July
WFW jumps 10 places in Legal Week's Top 50 Firms list (ranked 40th). This is based on fastest turnover profit and fastest profits growth.
WFW advises Belwind on the first offshore wind deal to close during the liquidity crisis. Belwind goes on to win Infrastructure Journal's 'Deal of the Year - Renewable', Project Finance International Europe Awards 2009's 'Power Deal of the Year' and Project Finance Awards 2009's 'European Offshore Wind Deal of the Year'.
August
WFW Singapore sets up a Project & Structured Finance practice, recruiting Josh Clarke as a partner, while partner Mehraab Nazir moves to join him from the London office.
September
In the Legal 500 listings WFW is ranked in 10 new practice areas under: corporate and commercial; VAT and indirect tax; dispute resolution; human resources; insurance; projects; energy and natural resources; real estate; and transport.
October
WFW income to the half year ending 31 October 2009 is £34 million, 15% ahead of the same period in the previous year.
WFW Bangkok volunteers donate used computers to the Mirror Foundation 'Computers for Children' project, contributing to the education of deprived hill tribes in Northern Thailand.
November
WFW opens an office in Madrid, recruiting five lawyers under the leadership of partners Joaquin Sales and Marķa Pilar Garcia.
December
WFW is shortlisted as 'Law Firm of the Year' in the Legal Business 2010 Awards.