The Magic Circle law firms:
What you need to know
A guide to the UK’s Magic Circle law firms: who are they, what areas of law they specialise in, and how much they pay
(The below are the reference texts)
The Magic Circle is the name given to a group of five of the UK’s leading law firms.
The term came about in the 1990s to describe the most prestigious law firms in the City, best known for their work in corporate law, finance, and international disputes.
Magic Circle firms are renowned for their equally prestigious client list, which includes the world’s biggest banks and financial institutions, global listed companies and governments.
This, together with their market-leading revenues and superior profitability, puts them in a bracket ahead of other leading City law firms.
They are also significantly bigger in size than other firms – they employ more lawyers and they have a much larger global footprint, operating in dozens of jurisdictions for clients across the world.
On the global stage, Magic Circle firms compete with the leading US law firms for the best work, fighting for a place among the so-called ‘global elite’ – the select group of truly global players recognised for their work on the biggest and most complex mandates.
Which firms are in the Magic Circle?
The group consists of the following firms: