The American Lawyer has published its Global 100 list for 2009. Even with the recession in full bloom, the top 100 law firms managed to increase revenues by two percent, but revenue per lawyer dropped by three percent.
In the category of number of lawyers, US firm Baker McKenzie topped the list with 3,949 attorneys in offices in 39 countries. 82% of Baker McKenzie’s lawyers work outside of the United States. The top UK firm, ranked number 2 overall, is Clifford Chance with 2,837 attorneys in 21 countries. Spain’s Garrigues ranks number 12 with 1,835 lawyers in 9 countries.
The top three firms for revenue are all from the UK with Linklaters coming out on top. Linklaters posted revenues of just over $2.4 billion. The highest ranked US country is Skadden at $2.2 billion, ranked 4th.
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz posted the highest profits per partner at just over $4 million.