Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP

If you want a truly transatlantic law firm with equal strength in St. Louis and London, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP) offers a platform unlike any other. Formed from the 2018 merger of St. Louis-based Bryan Cave and London-based Berwin Leighton Paisner, the firm has approximately 1,100 attorneys with a strategic focus on the U.S., U.K., Europe, and the Middle East, including new offices opened in Saudi Arabia in 2025. BCLP's deliberate transatlantic positioning sets it apart from firms that merely have overseas offices.

BCLP's real estate practice is a standout on both sides of the Atlantic, handling complex development, financing, and fund transactions for institutional investors and private equity firms. The firm has strong corporate, M&A, litigation, financial services, and data privacy practices, with particular depth in the middle market. BCLP is also an innovation leader, partnering with technology companies to deploy generative AI tools across its real estate practice, a signal of its commitment to modernizing legal service delivery.

The culture at BCLP is collaborative and internationally minded, with genuine cross-border staffing and mobility between U.S. and U.K. offices. The firm uses a free-market system, and summer associates can experience transatlantic deal work that most firms simply cannot offer. The St. Louis headquarters provides a collegial, lower-cost-of-living alternative to coastal markets.

For recruiting, express genuine interest in cross-border work and the firm's transatlantic model. BCLP values candidates who see the advantage of a firm strategically invested in the U.S.-U.K. corridor rather than trying to be everywhere. Real estate interest and international curiosity are strong signals.