SAN FRANCISCO – Womble Bond Dickinson announced today the successful completion of its combination with San Francisco-based Cooper, White & Cooper LLP, effective September 1, 2022. More than two dozen legal professionals, including 14 partners, are now operating out of the firm’s San Francisco office.

This expansion further strengthens Womble Bond Dickinson’s capabilities in California and comes on the heels of growth in other innovation centers, including New York and Nashville, earlier this year. With offices in Irvine, Los Angeles, and Silicon Valley, the firm now has more than 50 attorneys across four markets in California and a global platform of over 1,000 lawyers in 30 U.K. and U.S. offices. The San Francisco office is led by Chris Mammen, who, in addition to serving as office managing partner, is chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property Litigation Group (US) and a member of the Global Board.

"California is home to some of the world’s key business and technology hubs, with San Francisco chief among them. The state – and indeed the entire West Coast – is strategically important to Womble, and we are thrilled to anchor our presence in the market through a firm that is well-known for its robust litigation and transactional skills."

Betty Temple, CEO and Chair, Womble Bond Dickinson

The combination brings the deep experience and Bay Area history of Cooper, White & Cooper – a firm that has counseled clients across a broad range of sectors and practices since its founding in 1896 – to Womble Bond Dickinson’s transatlantic platform. The combined firm will also maintain an office in Walnut Creek that Cooper, White & Cooper opened in 1989.

“California is home to some of the world’s key business and technology hubs, with San Francisco chief among them,” said Betty Temple, CEO and Chair of Womble Bond Dickinson (US). “The state – and indeed the entire West Coast – is strategically important to Womble, and we are thrilled to anchor our presence in the market through a firm that is well-known for its robust litigation and transactional skills. We look forward to continuing the growth of our services and footprint on the West Coast and in other key markets to provide greater value to our clients.”

As part of its growth strategy, the combined Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP will continue to focus on providing a platform dedicated to client service; building and retaining high-caliber, diverse, and inclusive talent; and fostering deep community engagement.