One of the most promising and gratifying legal jobs is in the corporate sector. Law is a large service-based industry. Finance, Taxation, Litigation, Corporate Affairs, Conflicts, Copyrights, Property, Labour, Arbitration, Administration, Political, & Social issues all necessitate knowledge of the Law.
While alternative criteria for ranking law firms exist, such as earnings per partner or lawyer, the number of lawyers, or year-over-year % growth, annual revenue is the most precise, consistent, and straightforward.
The world’s top 10 law firms are mentioned below. All values are from 2021 Global 200, a ranking compiled by The International Lawyer.
Top 10 Law Firms
RAVATH, SWAINE & MOORE LLP
Cravath, the king of the elite law firms, is often regarded as having written the book on legal practice and lawyer mentoring. The firm tends to recruit the best in the globe and promotes a respectful professional atmosphere. Those that thrive in stressful situations, have a strong moral compass, and are intellectually interested will do well with the firm.
Antitrust, financial companies & credits, capital markets, corporate management, executive remuneration and amenities, mergers & acquisitions, securities law litigation, tax, trusts and estates, and white collar criminal defence are among Cravath’s practice areas. More than one-third of Cravath’s clients are based outside of the United States, and the firm’s practice areas all have an international interest.
WACHTELL, LIPTON, ROSEN & KATZ
Wachtell specializes in M&A deals, corporate strategy investment opportunities, take-over and acquisition defensive capabilities, corporate & securities law, & corporate management. They manage some of the country’s and the world’s largest, most complicated, as well as demanding transactions.
They advise both governmental and non – governmental acquirers and targets, manage delicate investigative and litigation concerns, as well as company corporate restructuring, and provide crucial advice to boards of directors and the management. They also have a record of success in pioneering and innovative ideas which have had a huge impact on the company & law.
SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM LLP
Skadden Arps was formed in 1948. Skadden Arps has 22 offices worldwide, over 1,700 professionals on staff, and over 50 areas of practice, with its headquarters in New York.
It reported $2.63 billion in annual revenue. Throughout the world, the firm advises businesses, banking institutions, and government agencies.
SULLIVAN & CROMWELL LLP
Sullivan & Cromwell, one of the most prominent law firms, has a generalist approach to practice, allowing professionals to collaborate across sectors and subcategories. S&C is devoted to assisting its lawyers in establishing their future pathways, with a particular focus on mentoring and professional advice. S & C, a BigLaw giant, has followed—
if not credited with inventing a template for legal success: it has expanded worldwide and in accordance to the world’s largest corporate clients’ expanding cross-border M&A, restructuring, and financial services transactional requirements.
LATHAM & WATKINS LLP
Latham & Watkins has offices in 14 countries and employees of over 2,400 solicitors, with its head office located in Los Angeles.. Its annual revenue is estimated to be $3.77 billion. The business provides a wide range of services, from advocacy to news and entertainment to real estate and white-collar defence.
KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP (KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP)
Kirkland & Ellis LLP defends a select group of business clients in the areas such as corporate law, financial services, lawsuits, intellectual property, and reorganization. The company, which is located in the United States and employs roughly 2,000 lawyers, had revenues of $4.15 billion in 2019, putting it at the top of the list.
Boeing, Delta Airlines, Nike, & Verizon are among the company’s high-profile clients. Kirkland & Ellis was formed in 1999 in Chicago.
DAVIS POLK & WARDWELL LLP
Davis Polk is one of the most prestigious law firms in the world. It is a corporate law behemoth and a securities prosecution powerhouse. The business is known for its professionalism, and its lawyers are known for their great work ethic & commitment to assisting & supporting each other.
With strong teams in capital markets, M&A, banking, bankruptcy, and tax, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP has one of the best and most reliable corporate organizations in the country. Its renowned litigation practice covers antitrust, civil lawsuits, intellectual property, & white-collar criminal defence.
SIMPSON THACHER & BARTLETT LLP
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett is a hard Wall Street powerhouse, with elite teams in mergers and acquisitions, financial services, capital markets, and corporate law. Even so, the firm is far more versatile than most of its competing companies, with extensive experience in private equity, litigation, & intellectual property. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the firm established one of the world’s foremost M&A practices, with a specialization in private equity.
Simpson Thacher has recently worked with JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, UBS Wachovia, Lehman Brothers, & Travelers. Among the private equity clients are Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR) and The Blackstone Group, which includes first Reserve, Silver Lake Partnership, and Hellman & Friedman.
DLA PIPER
DLA Piper is one of the largest law companies in the world, having professionals in over 40 countries. It was founded in 2005 after the amalgamation of numerous international legal firms. $3.11 billion in annual revenue and branches in London & Chicago. It has approximately 4,000 lawyers working in its offices, specializing in everything from government contracts to insurance to technology.
Paul Ceglia hired DLA Piper to defend him in a lawsuit against Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg in which he claimed 84 percent ownership.
GIBSON DUNN
Gibson Dunn is a V10 firm with an impressive client and practice list. It is a litigation powerhouse, appellate all-star, and commercial law force. Gibson recruits self-starters who will thrive in the company’s free-market environment and fit in with the company’s professionals, and help the community. Gibson Dunn & Crutcher is a powerhouse with over 1,400 attorneys in ten countries.
Gibson Dunn is regarded as one of the best law firms in the country for its litigation & prosecution practice, particularly its thriving Appellate Lawsuit and Securities Civil lawsuits practices, as well as its highest competition, M&A, private equity, and real estate work.
Conclusion of the Top 10 Law Firms in the World
These law firms have consistently maintained their prominence and reputation on a global scale. However, it’s essential to remember that the legal industry is dynamic, and rankings can change over time. Clients and legal professionals should conduct thorough research and consider various factors when selecting a law firm or evaluating their career options in the legal field. Additionally, there are many other reputable law firms worldwide, each with its unique strengths and areas of expertise.
