The LawFuel Big Law Firm List
Ben Thomson –
In a world shaped by cross-border megadeals, regulatory upheaval, geopolitical tensions, and bet-the-company litigation, the planet’s largest law firms serve as essential infrastructure for the global economy. They counsel governments on sovereign matters, drive private equity transactions, tackle antitrust scrutiny, and litigate disputes that can redefine industries.
This LawFuel Legal Giants ranking lists the biggest law firms by latest reported global gross revenue (primarily 2025 figures), drawing from Am Law Global 200 data, firm disclosures, and industry surveys. It serves as a practical reference for law students, lateral candidates, recruiters, partners evaluating moves, and anyone tracking Big Law dynamics.
How We Define “Biggest” – Methodology Size in Big Law is multifaceted—headcount, offices, profits per equity partner (PEP), or prestige. We prioritize total global gross revenue because it best captures overall scale and client willingness to pay premium fees.
- Revenue best reflects operational breadth and market position.
- Headcount can mislead (e.g., verein structures with extensive but variable-profitability networks).
- Prestige or PEP rankings highlight quality/profitability but don’t always correlate with raw financial scale.
Priorities: Latest consolidated global figures (treating vereins appropriately); cross-verified from public sources.
Caveat: This is not a verdict on quality, culture, or profitability—many nimbler firms excel in niches or per-lawyer metrics. It simply maps financial and geographic heft
1. Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Global Revenue (2023): $7.2 Billion
Kirkland & Ellis has shattered records as the first firm to exceed $10 billion in gross revenue (~$10.56B–$10.8B in 2025, up ~20%). Chicago-rooted, it epitomizes the modern mega-firm with aggressive lateral hiring, partner-friendly economics, and dominance in private equity, complex litigation, restructuring, and high-stakes transactions. It sets the bar for scale, ambition, and profitability (PEP often leading).
2. Latham & Watkins LLP
Global Revenue (2023): $5.7 Billion
Latham hit a record ~$8.3B (up ~18.6%), leveraging its global platform across corporate, finance, regulatory, and disputes. Strong in entertainment, energy, infrastructure, and cross-border M&A, it continues climbing with deep sector expertise.
3. DLA Piper
Global Revenue (2023): $4 billion
DLA Piper, born from a historic merger between the UK-based DLA, the Chicago-based Piper Rudnick and the Californian Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich the firm is a Swiss verein giant by headcount (~4,800+ lawyers) and revenue (~$4.24B–$4.58B), with offices spanning dozens of countries. Broad practices in tech, government contracting, real estate, and PE make its global network ideal for multinational panel work.
The firm abbreviated its name to DLA Piper in 2006 to help build its massive global brand and has continued its trajectory towards one of the largest law firms in the world.
4. A&O Shearman
The high-profile merger delivered strong first full-year results (~$3.7B). It blends Magic Circle finance/banking strength with US capital markets, M&A, and disputes prowess, creating a formidable integrated platform across key financial centers
5. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
~$3.67B. The firm was the first to exceed the gold-plated $1 billion in revenues and although it was renowned for its powerhouse work in mergers and acquisitions it has evolved into an equally powerful practitioner across a range of transational and litigation areas.
Renowned for its advisory services to businesses and financial institutionsRemains elite in premium M&A, corporate work, high-stakes litigation, and restructurings, with enduring brand power among boards and regulators.
6. Gibson Dunn
~$3.56B–$4.21B
From its beginnings in 1872 Gibson Dunn remains a key player with a revenue of $2.75 billion. The Los Angeles-based firm is known for its expertise in sectors like private equity and financial institutions but is best known for its litigation and appellate practice, having won numerous accolades for its litigation expertise.Strong growth to ~$3.56B–$4.21B (Am Law variance), powered by powerhouse disputes, investigations, appellate (including Supreme Court), PE, and finance practices.
7. Sidley Austin
~$3.44B
Regulatory and Financial Markets Strength . Deep expertise in structured finance, capital markets, regulatory regimes, life sciences, and energy. Sidley Austin has 21 offices and famously was the law firm where Michelle and Barack Obama met.
It has a strong appellate practice and also focuses upon M&A and private equity, regulatory, litigation, life sciences, energy, environmental law, capital markets.
8. Ropes & Gray
$3.42B
The Boston-based leader in private equity, funds, and asset management, with growing healthcare, life sciences, and litigation depth. The firm alsohas a highly-rated range of expertise across the legal spectrum, growing from its origins in the 1860s. With 13 offices in the US, Europe and Asia the firm continues to achieve top rankings across a range of sectors and is highly regarded among clients, particularly for its equity, asset management, securities and restructuring areas.
9. Baker McKenzie
Global Revenue ~$3.39B
. Excels in cross-border transactions, competition, tax, and emerging markets.With roots in Chicago and branches in over 70 countries, Baker McKenzie’s 2023 revenue reached $3.5 billion. Despite starting after World War II the firm has been the master at taking on the world, with offices across 70 offices in 40 countries and with over 6500 lawyers.
Their expertise in areas like antitrust and private equity continues to bolster their global standing, reflecting a strategic blend of local and international legal prowess. Understandably, its expertise is in cross border work involving multiple jurisdictions, which is hardly surprising given the vast network the megafirm operates.
10. White & Case
~$3.32B. Prominent in international arbitration, project finance, energy transition, and sovereign work.Celebrating over a century in the legal field, White & Case’s revenue stood at $2.9 billion. Based in New York with a global span across 47 locations, the firm’s expertise in sectors like healthcare and transport is widely recognized.
White & Case have a long history in international expansion with practice opportunities for lawyers to work in foreign offices and to take advantage for the firm’s vast international reach and global client base, which includes some of the largest corporations and organizations in the world.
11–25: Global Heavy Hitters
(multi-billion-dollar players with significant influence; revenues generally $2.3B–$3.1B range):
11. Morgan, Lewis & Bockius (~$3.1B) – Broad US/international strength in labor, energy, life sciences.
12. Clifford Chance (~$3.07B) – Magic Circle leader in banking, capital markets, Europe/Asia. the firm is another British top tier firm that has muscled its way to the top of the world’s biggest law firm list, with revenues topping almost $2.5 billion in 2023 for the first time and making it the highest-grossing law firm in the UK.
13. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (~$2.98B) – Anther UK entrant, a high-end corporate, competition, disputes with a growing US presence.
14. Linklaters – Complex finance and corporate.
15. Hogan Lovells – Regulatory, life sciences, TMT, disputes.
16. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett – Elite PE and banking.
17. Jones Day – Litigation, investigations, global network.
18. Dentons (verein) – Massive polycentric network. The result of a series of strategic mergers that Vault Rankings described as the ‘Pac-Man’ of law firms, Dentons has carved out a unique space with no centralized headquarters but a sprawling global presence.
19. Goodwin Procter – Tech, life sciences, PE-driven growth.
20. Paul, Weiss – High-stakes litigation and corporate (high PEP).
21. Greenberg Traurig – Broad US/international footprint.
22. Davis Polk & Wardwell – Capital markets and bank regulatory excellence.
23. Quinn Emanuel – Premier litigation-focused powerhouse.
24. Norton Rose Fulbright – Energy, finance, transport, Commonwealth strength.
25. King & Spalding – Disputes, energy, international arbitration.
Big Law Trends Behind the Rankings
- Consolidation/Mergers: A&O Shearman exemplifies transatlantic plays for scale and market access most recent example being the tieup between Anglo-Australian law firm Ashurst and Perkins Coie.
- Private Capital Boom: PE/asset management focus is a key factor with many of the biggest firms – think Kirkland, Ropes, Simpson Thacher, Goodwin – which has turbocharged their growth.
- Global Disputes Surge: Arbitration/litigation specialists benefit from cross-border enforcement. Firms like White & Case
- Tech & AI Investment: Top firms pour resources into innovation for efficiency, client tools, and competitive edge amid billing pressures.
- US Dominance with Global Reach: American firms lead revenue, but Magic Circle and vereins compete fiercely on footprint.
5. Dentons
Global Revenue (2023): $3.3 Billion
Ranking fifth with a revenue of $3.3 billion, the firm’s influence stretches across 80 countries, underlining its commitment to legal services on a global scale.
The array of tie-ups and mergers have seen Dentons expand their international footprint in every major and many minor territories and jurisdictions, building their practices in energy, property, transactional and regulatory work with a strong focus upon their firm welfare and culture to blend the disparate practice groups.
6.
Global Revenue (2023): $3.1 Billion
Commonly known as Skadden, this New York-headquartered firm reports $3.1 billion in revenue., Skadden’s expertise spans over 50 practice areas, solidifying its position as a global legal advisor.
7. Sidley Austin
Global Revenue (2023): $2.95 Billion
Originating in 1866, Sidley Austin, with its roots in Chicago, continues to flourish with a reported $2.95 billion revenue in 2023. The firm’s focus areas like corporate finance and regulatory affairs have kept it at the forefront of legal innovation like many firms dealing with AI and other legaltech developments.
8. White & Case
Global Revenue (2023): $2.9 Billion
9. Morgan, Lewis & Bockius
Global Revenue (2023): $2.8 Billion
Morgan Lewis, founded in 1873 and headquartered in Philadelphia, reported a revenue of $2.8 billion. With 33 offices globally, their services in areas like healthcare and labor law continue to attract a diverse clientele.
10. Gibson Dunn
Global Revenue (2023): $2.75 Billion
The firm has shown substantial growth and profitability, with over 1800 attorneys spread over 10 countries where it operates.
11. Ropes & Gray
Global Revenue (2023): $2.7 Billion
Boston-based, the firm is also well regarded by employees for its overall culture and work mentoring and interest.
12. Hogan Lovells
Global Revenue (2023): $2.6 Billion
13. Allen & Overy
Global Revenue (2023): $2.5 Billion
Allen & Overy remains one of the Magic Circle centerpeices, a London-based law firm that has expanded to become one of the biggest in the world – now with over 300 lawyers in America spread across its six offices.
The firm now has an international network that sees it reach 120 countries with 600 partners and around 3000 lawyers, making it a true mega-firm that continues its strong growth trajectory as a major global legal player.
The firm has expertise across everthing from litigation to transactional and M&A work to regulatory compliance and cross-border dispute and arbitration work.
14. Clifford Chance
Global Revenue (2023): $2.5 Billion
The firm is a major ‘listee’ on Vault rankings and other ranking agencies given that it has around 3300 lawyers across its vast network and continues to provide a major role in M&A, litigation, disputes, regulatory, competition and other legal work.
15. Jones Day
Global Revenue (2023): $2.5 Billion
JonesDay has grown internationally from its mid-western base to become a global powerhouse in litigation and commercial work. Cleveland-based and sitting level with Clifford Chance in revenues, the firm is known as a heavy hitter the firm continues to attract high rankings from a variety of ranking agencies, including numerous #1 points in the BTI Consulting Client Service reports.
The firm has received some controversy over its representation of Donald Trump in his campaigns although it has said it will not represent the former President in the 2024 campaign.
With around 2500 lawyers across its office network internationally and retains an aggressive, successful strategy of growth.
16. Linklaters
Global Revenue (2023): $2.3 Billion
One of the largest of the UK big law firms and another Magic Circle member, Linklaters has grown from its large UK law firm status in the 1990s into a major expansion internationally using both mergers and acquisitions of other firms. With two US offices, in New York and Washington DC Linklaters continues to be one of the most profitable UK-based law firms and remains high on the overall rankings – and like many of the ‘Largest Law Firms’ List is also on our ‘Most Prestigious Law Firms’ List too.
Linklaters has a high profile M&A and banking practice but offers a full range of services across its extensive network and is more than capable of footing it with the most complex commercial deal or litigation with any others on the Big Law Firm List.
17. Freshfields
Global Revenue (2023): $2.3 Billion
Another UK-based big firm, Freshfields sits on level pegging with co-Magic Circle competitor Linklaters on $2.3 billion in revenues and has the credentials as one of the oldest law firms in the world, with a history tracking back to the 1700s.
With 27 international offices, Freshfields has expanded its global network and recently has also become active in the United States legal market with offices in New York, Silicon Valley, and Washington, DC. Its U.S.-qualified lawyer now number over 300 roughly a third of the U.S. partnership and associate team having joined since the start of 2019.
18. Simpson Thacher
Global Revenue (2023): $2.15 Billion
Another New York-based law firm with 11 offices and about 1000 attorneys, Simpsons Thacher provides a full service commercial and litigation practice that remains one of the highest-grossing law firms in the world.
Since its founding in the 1880s, the firm has continued to represent some of the largest corporate entities in America and the world, including American Electric Power, Aramark, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Blackstone, Carlyle Group, EQT, First Reserve, Hellman & Friedman, Hilton Hotels, KKR, Mars, Microsoft, New Mountain Capital, Silver Lake Partners and others.
19. Sullivan & Cromwell
Global Revenue (2023): $1.8 Billion
Sullivan & Cromwell remains another of the top-tier law firms with its 130 year history, representing JP Morgan among others in the pioneering days, and its range of profile clients and major transactional and litigation jobs.
An exceedingly profitable firm with profits per partner as high as $6 million and was also one of the first firms to expand internationally, now having 13 offices in eight countries.
20. Davis Polk & Wardwell
Global Revenue (2023): $1.85 billion
Once again we have one of America’s oldest law firms and also one that has continued to grow its corporate work with its services on behalf of JP Morgan. Now the firm, which employs around 1100 lawyers and is one of the most profitable law firms in the world.
The firm also enjoys some of the highest profitability in the world among the big law firms, ranking in the very top of the profitability echelon at around third place on Law.com rankings and others.
21. Paul Weiss
Global Revenue (2023): $1.8 billion
Paul Weiss is a top earning firm that in the UK has been ranked as the number firm for revenues per lawyer in 2022 and remains a profitable law firm in the US as well.
The firm and its predecessors have been operating for 150 years and initially evolved as a Jewish law firm when Jews were not accepted in the white-shoed New York establishment firms. It developed an impressive commercial and litigation practice working in all the areas that the major firms focus with its 1000 lawyers from every background displaying the highest level of professional ability.
22. Quinn Emanuel Urquart & Sullivan
Global Revenue (2023): $1.6 billion
The LA-based litigation-focused law Quinn Emanuel has developed a reputation as a somewhat eccentric and successful operator in the ‘biggest law firm’ arena, seemingly thumbing its nose at the white-shoe New York based big league legal players by adopting a less orthodoc approach to its work.
Quinn Emanuel, a very recent arrival on the big law firms list having been established in 1986, has nonetheless achieved some stellar success walking away with record verdicts on a regular basis and continuing to attract some high profile clients who face major litigation challenges. Among the firm clients are IBM, Google, Cisco, Qualcomm, Daimler, Sony, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Sony, Hyundai, AIG, and Samsung, among others.
23. Cleary Gottlieb
Global Revenue (2023): $1.4 billion
Cleary Gottlieb was founded at the end of the Second World War and quickly established itself as a major big law player on the global stage, representing governments and others with its early establishment of global offices in Europe and elsewhere.
The firm is well known for its work advising on sovereign debt restructurings and financings, including its representation of Greece in the largest-ever sovereign debt restructuring and largest-ever bond exchange, valued at €206 billion and €31.9 billion respectively. It also handled debt restructuring for Argentina in its $63.4 billion debt deals.
24. Cravath Swaine & Moore
Global Revenue (2023): $950,000
Cravath is the leader in our list of the most prestigious law firms and is one of the pre-emeninent firms in America, with a history spanning two centures.
With offices in New York, where the firm is based, to Washington DC and London the firm has been on an expansion path in the wake of the pandemic and with major lateral hires under its progressive and aggressive managing partner Brad Karp.
The firm is also well known for its biglaw pay setting ‘Cravath scale’, which sets the pace for associate remuneration.
25. Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz
Global Revenue (2023): $890,000
Even in the sub-one billion dollar revenues range Wachtell Lipton remains a major power player and one of the largest law firms in the world, with a reputation for not only its major deals in M&A, private equity, transactional and other work, but also for its compensation which makes it one of the best compensation-paying law firms in the world (the topic of a future article so keep an eye out).
A relatively recent arrival in the ‘biggest law firms’ lists given that it was founded very recently – 1965 – it has taken a different approach to deal by charging a percentage of major work and also working on the tougher, untidy work that is less bread-and-butter and more ‘sugar and spice’.
The Global Law Landscape: A Changing Frontier
These top law firms not only represent massive revenues but also embody the evolving dynamics of global law. As we look towards 2024, the legal industry is poised for further transformation, driven by technological advancements and an ever-more interconnected world. The firms listed above not only exemplify excellence in various practice areas but also demonstrate the ability to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing
Author – Ben Thomson is a regular contributor to LawFuel and authored the most-read list – the 30 Most Prestigious Law Firms in the World, which continues to attract high readership among our regular readers and others. He may be contacted at news@lawfuel.com
See Also: The Best Vault Rankings for Law Firms
>> The Big Law Salary Scale
See LawFuel’s 30 Most Prestigious Law Firms
