Law is a multifaceted, service-oriented industry, covering areas from business and finance to personal disputes and international regulations. Expertise in law is essential in various domains, including corporate law, taxation, litigation, and intellectual property. While rankings for law firms can be based on different metrics, such as lawyer count or revenue per partner, annual revenue remains a widely recognized and consistent measure of a firm’s scale and success.
This article highlights the top 10 law firms worldwide, based on the 2023 Global 200 rankings by Law.com. It’s important to note that while this list primarily follows the Global 200, slight variations in revenue figures reported by different sources might lead to minor discrepancies in ordering.
Key Highlights:
- The leading law firms all demonstrate substantial financial performance, with revenues nearing or exceeding $3 billion.
- Kirkland & Ellis leads the ranking with an impressive revenue of $7.2 billion.
- The top-tier firms operate globally, with numerous offices and thousands of legal professionals.
1. Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Kirkland & Ellis serves a prestigious roster of clients, including industry giants like Boeing, Delta Air Lines, Dow Chemical, General Motors, and Pfizer, reflecting its significant influence and expertise in handling complex legal matters for major corporations.
Fast Fact
Founded in Chicago in 1909, Kirkland & Ellis has grown from its Midwestern roots to become a global legal powerhouse.
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2. Latham & Watkins LLP
Latham & Watkins LLP, with over 30 offices globally and a team of more than 3,400 lawyers, secures the second spot in global law firm rankings. The firm’s annual revenues are reported to be $5.7 billion, underscoring its financial strength and global reach as one of the best lawyer companies.
The firm’s service spectrum is broad, encompassing areas from shareholder activism defense to entertainment and media law, real estate transactions, and white-collar criminal defense, illustrating its versatility and comprehensive legal offerings.
3. DLA Piper
DLA Piper stands out as one of the largest global legal practices, with lawyers operating in over 40 countries. Formed through a merger in 2005, DLA Piper has quickly established itself as a leading international law firm and one of the best lawyer companies.
Co-headquartered in London and Chicago, DLA Piper achieved annual revenues exceeding $3.8 billion. It employs more than 4,500 lawyers worldwide, covering diverse sectors such as education, government contracts, insurance, and technology, showcasing its wide-ranging industry expertise.
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4. Baker McKenzie
Baker McKenzie, which proudly proclaims itself “the original global law firm,” has a legacy spanning 75 years. It is recognized as a pioneering force in international legal services and a top choice among best lawyer companies.
With over 4,500 lawyers across 69 offices globally, Baker McKenzie reported revenues near $3.3 billion for 2023. This financial performance reflects its extensive global footprint and its established reputation in the international legal market.
5. Dentons
Dentons, formed through a series of mergers in recent years, markets itself as “the world’s largest global law firm.” Its rapid expansion and global integration have positioned it as a significant player among best lawyer companies.
Dentons secured the fifth position in the rankings, with 2023 revenues surpassing $3 billion, as reported in December 2023 by Law.com. The firm operates from over 160 offices in more than 80 countries, demonstrating an unparalleled global presence.
6. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Skadden, commonly referred to as Skadden, was established in 1948. Headquartered in New York, Skadden has built a reputation for handling high-stakes legal matters and is considered one of the best lawyer companies for complex cases.
Skadden operates 22 offices worldwide with over 1,700 lawyers practicing in more than 50 legal areas. The firm reported annual revenues of $3.3 billion, and it is known for advising leading businesses, financial institutions, and government bodies globally on their most critical legal challenges.
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7. Sidley Austin
Sidley Austin, with roots dating back to 1866, is a long-established and highly respected law firm headquartered in Chicago. Its enduring legacy and consistent performance place it among the best lawyer companies in the world.
In 2023, Sidley Austin reported revenues exceeding $3.1 billion. The firm employs over 2,100 lawyers across 21 global offices, focusing on key areas such as corporate finance, employment law, regulatory compliance, government affairs, and tax law, among others.
8. White & Case
White & Case, founded in New York City in 1901, has cultivated a strong international presence and is recognized as a leading firm in global legal practice and one of the best lawyer companies for international work.
White & Case employs over 2,500 lawyers across more than 40 offices worldwide. The firm reported revenues of $2.9 billion in 2023, ranking eighth among the top-earning law firms globally and highlighting its strong international market position.
9. Morgan Lewis
Morgan Lewis, established in 1873, maintains a significant global footprint and is known for its client-focused approach and comprehensive legal services, making it a strong contender in the list of best lawyer companies.
Morgan Lewis employs approximately 2,000 lawyers and reported nearly $2.9 billion in revenue, securing the ninth position in the rankings. Headquartered in Philadelphia, the firm operates more than 30 offices around the world, serving a diverse client base.
10. Gibson Dunn
Gibson Dunn, founded in Los Angeles in 1872, has grown into a global law firm with a strong reputation in high-stakes litigation and corporate transactions, solidifying its place among the best lawyer companies.
Gibson Dunn includes approximately 1,900 lawyers across 21 offices globally. The firm’s primary sectors include financial institutions, healthcare, private equity, and transportation. Its reported revenues for 2023 exceeded $3 billion, rounding out the top 10 list.
What Defines the Largest Law Firm Globally?
Kirkland & Ellis LLP is recognized as the largest law firm globally in terms of revenue, according to the Global 200 ranking. This best lawyer company boasts over 3,500 lawyers and generated gross revenues exceeding $7.2 billion in 2023, demonstrating its financial dominance in the legal industry.
What Constitutes the Largest Law Firm in the United States?
While Kirkland & Ellis leads in revenue in the Global 200, DLA Piper ranks as the largest in size within the United States, with over 4,500 lawyers, according to the National Law Journal’s NLJ 500 rankings for 2024. This distinction highlights different measures of firm size and scale within the best lawyer companies.
Earning Potential of Top Lawyers
Lawyer salaries can vary significantly based on location, specialization, experience, and the type of firm. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported a median salary for lawyers at $145,760 annually in 2023. The top 10% of earners in the field exceeded $239,200, while the lowest 10% earned less than $69,760. Notably, some lawyers, particularly within best lawyer companies, earn substantially more.
Current Job Market Outlook for Lawyers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an 8% growth in lawyer employment from 2022 to 2032, translating to roughly 39,100 new jobs annually. While law firms remain major employers, there’s a trend among large corporations to expand in-house legal departments to manage costs, indicating evolving employment landscapes within best lawyer companies and the broader legal sector.
The Final Word
As businesses and financial activities become increasingly globalized, leading law firms have expanded their international operations. Today, a select group of firms, including the ten highlighted, operate with numerous global offices, employ thousands of lawyers, and generate billions in annual revenue. These best lawyer companies play a crucial role in facilitating global commerce and addressing complex legal challenges worldwide.
