How had Sidley Austin developed prior to the opening of the Brussels office?
RW: The firm today is largely the result of a 2001 merger between Sidley Austin, a Chicago-based firm, and Brown & Wood, a New York-based firm. Sidley Austin Brown & Wood was – and probably still is – the largest law firm merger in the US. The firm has 1,600 lawyers in 15 offices throughout North America, Europe and Asia and today is known just as Sidley Austin LLP. BL: So why set up an office in Brussels? RW: A key development occurred in 2002 when Daniel Price and his leading Trade law practice of 35 lawyers joined Sidley Austin. Dan had gained excellent Trade law experience in the US government and built up a top-tier trade practice at Powell Goldstein. So his arrival at Sidley Austin was quite a coup. Even before joining Sidley Austin, Dan and his team had contemplated opening an office in Brussels. After joining, that ‘burning desire’ to build a strong EU link with the firm’s Washington DC and Geneva offices became even greater, led by increasing client demand. Laurent Ruessmann a
