1990s

Seven partners from New York firm Burlingham Underwood & Lord want to internationalise their business. Specialising in ship finance and litigation, they agree to join Watson, Farley & Williams – creating our third overseas office in the city in January. We are one of the first English law firms (if not the very first) to have US lawyers as partners.
A further 10 are brought into the equity partnership and there are five times as many fee earners as in 1983.
Fee income exceeds �10m.

Less than four years after settling in Minories House, we move again – this time to current premises in Appold Street
Fee income doubles to �28m

The acquisition of one of Hungary’s largest power groups for a US power developer helps to consolidate an already burgeoning energy market for the firm in eastern European countries. The next five years sees a considerable increase in work in this sector, acting mostly for UK and US-based clients.

Asia is a conspicuous gap in the firm’s network. We are approached by a partner from the Singapore office of Sinclair Roche & Temperley and persuade him, along with the whole of his team, to create a Watson, Farley & Williams office there. It focuses on shipping, then expands as a regional corporate practice. Today it is a booming regional centre with a full service offering in shipping, oil & gas, natural resources, energy and disputes.

The firm introduces a profit sharing scheme, bringing junior partners fully into equity.

One co-founder, Geoffrey Williams, retires, while both Alastair Farley and Martin Watson step down from the partnership but remain closely associated with the firm today

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