Summary: The top 10 law firms in the world are listed below, ranked by annual revenue.
Investopedia has compiled a list of the world’s top ten law firms. The ranking is based on the most recent revenue numbers available. Although there are many other factors by which one may rank a firm, such as the number of lawyers, revenue per attorney, and yearly percent growth, using annual revenue appears to be the most accurate and consistent criterion to use.
1. The top law firm in the world is Baker & McKenzie. This firm was founded in 1949 and is headquartered in Chicago. The firm has around 4,200 attorneys that are spread amongst 77 offices in 47 countries. Its annual revenue, as of June 2014, is $2.54 billion.
The firm recently opened a legal services center in Belfast, Ireland.
2. Coming in second place is DLA Piper. DLA Piper employs over 4,200 attorneys. The firm was created after several international law firms merged in 2005. The firm is headquartered in both London and Chicago, and had an annual revenue of $2.48 billion in 2013—just behind Baker & McKenzie.
DLA Piper was named the pro bono law firm of the year.
3. Latham & Watkins LLP takes third place with $2.226 billion in annual revenue in 2013. It employs over 2,000 attorneys and has offices in 14 countries, with its headquarters in Los Angeles.
In January, the firm hired the top finance partner in Hong Kong.
4. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is headquartered in New York. The firm, founded in 1948, has 23 offices worldwide and over 1,600 lawyers. Its annual revenue was $2.21 billion in 2013.
5. For 2013-2014, its annual revenue was $2.12 billion, according to Wikipedia. Its clients include “corporates from all the commercial and industrial sectors, governments, regulators, trade bodies and not-for-profit organizations,” according to its website.
6. Kirkland & Ellis primarily serves corporate clients in intellectual property, litigation, corporate, taxation, and restructuring issues. It was founded in 1909 and has over 1,600 attorneys. In 2013, its revenues were $2.016 billion.
7. The firm is a member of the “magic circle” of British firms, according to Wikipedia.
8. Jones Day employs over 2,400 attorneys in 41 offices spread through 19 countries. The firm was founded in Cleveland, Ohio in 1893, and serve as a full-service law firm in all practice areas of law. Its revenues are around $1.716 billion.
Source: Investopedia