About

Counsel since 1994.

Founded in 1994. 12 lawyers. 4 offices. 10 practices. One standard of work.

1994
founded
4
offices
12
lawyers
10
practices

Vellum Counsel was founded in 1994 by a group of lawyers who left a larger firm to do the work differently. The founding principle was simple: a law firm should be small enough that the partner who pitches the matter is the partner who runs it, and large enough to handle the matters that come in.

Three decades later, the principle has not changed. We have grown to 12 lawyers across 4 offices, and we have stayed lean enough that every partner still answers their own phone. We do not take a matter we cannot staff. We do not staff a matter we cannot win.

We are admitted in New York, London, Singapore, and we appear in courts and before regulators across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Asia. Our recent work — 24 representative matters across 2023–2024 — is the best description of what we do.

The arc

Three decades, one principle.

Scroll to follow the firm from a six-lawyer founding to 4 offices across 3 continents.

NY LDN HK SG 1994

1994

The founding.

Six lawyers leave a larger firm to do the work differently. The founding principle: a law firm should be small enough that the partner who pitches the matter is the partner who runs it.

2007

The first office abroad.

London opens. The firm coordinates its first cross-border merger review across three jurisdictions. The conflict desk clears engagements in four business hours.

2024

3 continents.

4 offices, 12 lawyers, 10 practices, 24 representative matters across 2023–2024. The principle has not changed.

1994

The founding.

Six lawyers leave a larger firm to do the work differently. The founding principle: a law firm should be small enough that the partner who pitches the matter is the partner who runs it.

2007

The first office abroad.

London opens. The firm coordinates its first cross-border merger review across three jurisdictions. The conflict desk clears engagements in four business hours.

2024

3 continents.

4 offices, 12 lawyers, 10 practices, 24 representative matters across 2023–2024. The principle has not changed.

Principles

How we work.

  • 01

    Stay on the file.

    The partner who pitches the matter is the partner who runs it. We do not hand off to a junior desk after signing.

  • 02

    Quiet is a feature.

    We do not announce deals before they close. We do not call the press when we win. The work speaks for itself, to the people who matter — the client and the judge.

  • 03

    Conflict clearance is a phone call.

    Our conflict desk clears potential engagements within four business hours. We do not let a conflict check become a deal delay.

  • 04

    One firm, not 4 offices.

    Each office is staffed by local lawyers who are part of one firm. No referrals. No local counsel. The team you meet in New York is the team that files in Singapore.

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