We have a long list, compiling the largest legal companies in the world. These companies are said to be big not because of their building structure but because of their reputation and feat in the world of laws and justice.
Unarguably, the law is a big service-based business. Business, finance, taxation, litigation, corporate affairs, conflicts, patents, copyrights, antitrust, property, labor, arbitration, as well as administration, political, and social matters all require law expertise.
While there are other criteria to rank law firms—such as revenue per partner or lawyer, the number of lawyers, or year-over-year percent growth—annual revenue remains the most accurate, consistent, and easy to follow. The United States of America has always been on the top ten list of countries with the largest legal companies or firms in the world.
Studies say that eight of the largest legal companies in the world have a headquarters based in the U.S., with only one of them—Clifford Chance—having its headquarters overseas. Dentons has no centralized headquarters, but has the most lawyers and offices located in China.
Largest Legal Companies in the World
No doubt is the fact that legal firms can have multiple practice areas, and for the top and largest legal companies in the world, expertise is required at both the local and global levels. Those legal companies listed below are successfully running their businesses across multiple practice areas, and have been effective in managing billion-dollar revenues consistently.
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Kirkland & Ellis LLP serves a niche set of corporate clients across the corporate, taxation, litigation, intellectual property, and restructuring fields. With approximately 2,000 lawyers on board, the U.S.-based firm’s revenues stood at $4.83 billion in 2020, putting it at the top of the list.
The firm has a number of high-profile clients including Boeing, Delta Airlines, General Motors, and Dow Chemical. Kirkland & Ellis was founded in 1909 in Chicago.
Latham & Watkins LLP
Headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in 14 additional countries and more than 3,000 lawyers on board,56 Latham & Watkins ranks second in terms of annual revenues, with a reported $4.33 billion.
The firm has a wide range of services from activism, to entertainment and media, to real estate, and white-collar defense.
DLA Piper
One of the biggest global legal companies with lawyers in more than 40 countries, DLA Piper came into existence after a mega-merger of multiple international law firms in 2005.
DLA Piper agreed to represent Paul Ceglia in 2010 in a lawsuit against Mark Zuckerberg, in which he claimed 84% ownership of Facebook (now Meta).
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Dentons
Dentons is the product of a flurry of mergers in the last half decade—the most recent being a double-merger in 2020 with Cohen & Grigsby and Bingham Greenebaum Doll.
The firm boasts more than 11,000 lawyers in more than 80 countries. Dentons ranked number four on the list with an annual revenue of $2.9 billion.
Baker McKenzie
Founded in 1949 and headquartered in Chicago, Baker McKenzie employs more than 13,000 people across 46 different countries.11 Its reported revenues were $2.9 billion, making it the fifth-highest on the list.1
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Skadden—as the firm is commonly known—was founded in 1948. With headquarters in New York, Skadden has 20 offices across the globe with an employee roster of more than 1,500 lawyers, and more than 50 practice areas.
Its reported annual revenues were $2.66 billion. The firm advises businesses, financial institutions, and government agencies worldwide.
Sidley Austin
Founded in 1866, Sidley—as it’s more commonly known—is headquartered in Chicago. In 2020, the firm reported revenues of $2.46 billion and over 1,800 lawyers in 20 offices around the world.
The firm focuses on corporate finance, employment, regulatory and government affairs, and tax law.
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius
Morgan Lewis employs 2,200 lawyers and was founded in 1873. The firm reported 2.45 billion in revenue—putting it in eighth place. The firm’s headquartered in Philadelphia, with a total of 30 offices around the world.
White & Case
Founded in 1901 and headquartered in Tampa, White & Case employs more than 2,200 lawyers across 47 additional locations worldwide. Its reported revenues in 2020 were $2.39 billion, making it the ninth-highest on the list.
Clifford Chance
Founded in 1987 through a merger, Clifford Chance is headquartered in London and has offices in 23 other countries. Its roster includes approximately 2,500 lawyers.
According to the company’s website, primary sectors include banks, healthcare, private equity, and transport and logistics.19 Its reported revenues in 2020 were $2.3 billion.
