What are the big 5 law firms in the UK?

The "Big 5" in UK law generally refers to the Magic Circle, an elite group of prestigious, London-headquartered firms known for high-value corporate work: A&O Shearman, Clifford Chance, Freshfields, Linklaters, and Slaughter and May, though other large national firms like DLA Piper, Herbert Smith Freehills, and Eversheds Sutherland also rank high by revenue and size.

Who are the big 5 law firms in the UK?

The term 'magic circle' was first coined by legal journalists in the late 1990s, and for the past 15 years it has consisted of a distinct group of five: A&O Shearman, Clifford Chance, Freshfields, Linklaters, and Slaughter and May. What sets these firms apart from the rest of the UK legal market?

What are the top 10 UK law firms?

London law firms

• Ashurst.
• Bird & Bird.
• CMS.
• Dentons.
• Eversheds Sutherland.
• Fladgate.
• Hogan Lovells.
• Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer.

What are the super six law firms?

London Stock Exchange Group rankings since 2020 show the same firms dominating year after year. Six names have appeared in the top 10 every year since 2020: Kirkland, Latham, Wachtell, Simpson Thacher, Freshfields and Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom.

Who are the 7 sisters law firms?

In the Canadian legal market, the 'Seven Sisters', leading Bay Street Toronto, Ontario corporate firms, continue to dominate the marketplace. They are Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP, Goodmans LLP, McCarthy Tétrault, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, Stikeman Elliott LLP and Torys.

Busy Week in My Life as a Corporate Lawyer in Hong Kong

What is the #1 law firm in the world?

The #1 law firm in the world by revenue is consistently Kirkland & Ellis, leading recent rankings with over $8.8 billion in gross revenue for 2024, followed by firms like Latham & Watkins and DLA Piper. While revenue puts Kirkland & Ellis at the top, other firms like Dentons might rank first in size (number of lawyers), and different rankings focus on prestige or specific practice areas like M&A or Intellectual Property.
 

What are the most feared law firms?

The firm consistently ranked as the "most feared" in litigation by BTI Consulting Group, based on feedback from corporate counsel, is Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, known for its aggressive, trial-focused strategies and "unflinching drive to win". Other firms frequently cited among the top feared firms include Kirkland & Ellis, Skadden Arps, and Gibson Dunn, recognized for their preparation and impact in complex litigation.
 

What law firm does the royal family use?

Farrer & Co is a British law firm headquartered in London, England serving private individuals, charitable institutions and corporations.

Who are the 5 magic circle law firms?

The "Magic Circle" refers to five elite, prestigious, London-headquartered law firms known for corporate and finance work: A&O Shearman, Clifford Chance, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Linklaters, and Slaughter and May, recognized for their global presence, high revenue, and demanding work in major deals. 

What is the most prestigious law school in London?

The University College London Faculty of Law has a global reputation for excellence in the subject of law. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework, UCL Law was rated the top law school in the UK for research excellence.

Who is in the magic circle?

Once the applicant is successful, they are free to call themselves "Members of the Society" and use the letters M.M.C. after their name. Members of The Magic Circle include: King Charles III, Jay & Joss, Luis de Matos, Michael Vincent, Dynamo, and Stephen Fry.

What's the difference between Legal 500 & Chambers?

Some observers distinguish between the two services by saying that chambers.com reflects the perceptions of law firms and individual lawyers, whilst legal500.com focuses on the perceptions and real world experience of law firm clients (and in a 2023 survey of client referees, 90% of those who expressed a preference ...

Who are Dentons competitors?

Dentons competitors include Latham & Watkins, DLA Piper, Gates, Baker & McKenzie and Kirkland & Ellis.

What is the most prestigious UK law firm?

The most prestigious law firms in the UK are generally considered to be the "Magic Circle," a group of five London-headquartered firms known for handling major corporate work: Allen & Overy (now A&O Shearman), Clifford Chance, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Linklaters, and Slaughter and May. While Slaughter and May often leads in profitability and reputation for UK corporate advisory, Linklaters, Freshfields, Clifford Chance, and A&O Shearman have strong global presences and significant market share, consistently ranking highly across major practice areas like M&A and capital markets.
 

Why is Linklaters different?

Linklaters differentiates itself by virtue of some of its more niche, modern teams (for example, their ESG team) and its legal technology hub Nakhoda (which trainees can sit in). Slaughter and May is the most different of the lot.

How hard is it to get into a magic circle law firm?

If you do the calculations you'll find that getting into magic circle firms is hard work. For some of the member firms, you'll have less than a 2% chance of getting in. Since this is so, this article is apt. Here are some tips, and actions you can take to help you be part of the chosen ones.

What is the most prestigious law firm?

There isn't one single "most prestigious" firm, as it depends on the ranking source and criteria, but Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP consistently tops Vault's list of most prestigious U.S. firms for its influence, mentorship, and setting industry standards, often alongside firms like Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, Skadden, Latham & Watkins, and Kirkland & Ellis. These elite "BigLaw" firms, particularly those in New York like Cravath and Wachtell, are renowned for complex corporate work, high profits, and elite associate training, though rankings fluctuate slightly year to year.
 

What are the global elite law firms?

The Global Elite law firms compriseCleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton; Davis Polk & Wardwell; Kirkland & Ellis; White & Case; Latham & Watkins; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom; Sidley Austin; and Weil, Gotshal & Manges.

Who are Linklaters' competitors?

Competitor comparison

• Allen Overy Shearman Sterling LLP Headquarters. 6,961. $3.7B.
• Clifford Chance LLP Headquarters.
• Hogan Lovells International LLP Headquarters. 3,243. $1.5B.
• Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP Headquarters. $896.5M.

What is the wealthiest law firm in the world?

The largest law firm in the world in terms of revenue is Kirkland & Ellis, according to the Global 200 ranking of the top 200 firms in the world. The firm has more than 3,800 lawyers on its roster and earned over $8.8 billion in gross revenue in 2024.

What law firm does Berkshire Hathaway use?

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. 's unique relationship with Munger, Tolles & Olson is getting a bit more conventional. Michael O'Sullivan, a veteran corporate lawyer and former partner at the Big Law firm, is poised to take on the newly created general counsel position at Warren Buffett's $1 trillion conglomerate.

Who are the highest paid lawyers in the UK?

Corporate law

Corporate law is the highest-paid legal specialism and the national average salary for a corporate lawyer is £70,850 per year. Corporate lawyers work on behalf of organisations and might also directly work for an organisation.

What is the #1 law firm in America?

There's no single "number 1" law firm, as rankings vary by metric (revenue, lawyers, prestige), but Kirkland & Ellis often leads in revenue/size, Baker McKenzie/DLA Piper for total headcount, and Cravath, Swaine & Moore for prestige/profitability in certain reports. Top contenders consistently include Kirkland & Ellis, Latham & Watkins, DLA Piper, Baker McKenzie, and Skadden, dominating lists for size, revenue, and influence.
 

What is the hardest law firm to get a job at?

Williams & Connolly LLP

One of the most selective law firms, Williams & Connolly is a litigation standout known for handling complex, high-stakes matters. The firm has a promote-from-within culture with an emphasis on organic mentorship.

Which is the highest paying law firm?

The highest paying law firms, often called "Big Law," include Kirkland & Ellis, Latham & Watkins, Davis Polk, and Paul Hastings, leading in revenue, profits per partner (PEP), and top-tier associate salaries, with starting pay often around $225,000-$235,000 plus bonuses, notes Chambers Associate and The Impact Lawyers. Firms like Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz and Hughes Hubbard & Reed are also known for paying top starting salaries, sometimes above the general $225k benchmark, according to ABA Journal.