Biggest law firms in the world 2025: Global leaders in legal services

5 min read

Being a lawyer means competing for the best clients, the best verdicts and the best reputation. Most think that a successful career in law therefore means working at one of the biggest law firms in the world. But we want to ask—is that your way?

Throughout this article, we’re going to examine a few of the rankings for the biggest law firms in the world—and point out how IE Law School‘s connection to global leaders in legal services ensures you’ll find the perfect fit for your profile.

Top 10 biggest law firms in the world

Legal services range across fields including taxation, business, finance, litigation, conflicts, international dispute resolution, corporate affairs, patents, copyrights, antitrust, labor, arbitration, property, administrative and political—to name but a few. Law firms offer a selection of these services to customers who need a certain legal outcome.

Naturally, some offices have more success than others. The biggest law firms are often ranked like university rankings—by weaving a variety of criteria into one flattened value. On pages like Investopedia you’ll find lists like this:

Kirkland & Ellis LLP take top spot because they employ over 3,500 lawyers and gross $7.2 billion in annual revenue. Does that make them the best law firm? Not necessarily—though they’re clearly doing something right.

Firstly, most of the “top 10 law firms in the world” lists you’ll read are based off second-hand information. The previous list, for example, was drawn from the 2023 Global 200 rankings published by Law.com. While many will sell you on an opinion, few do the research themselves. Secondly, these lists do very little to examine company culture. Which is why it’s important you research whether a law firm‘s values match your own.

How do you rank law firms?

Rank law firms with a broader view. Take into account a team’s bench strength, including both partners and associates, and their level of technical expertise in a given area. Also pay attention to the credibility of their clientele, along with their track record on large transactions, market share and investment in growth.

Furthermore, you should judge law firms on how they’re adapting and innovating. Top law firms now embrace advanced technologies to stay competitive. It’s good to know whether they’re using AI-powered research platforms to improve legal work and how well trained their employees are in new tech.

This is key to company culture; how attentive are your potential employers to their clients? Timely communication is crucial, and you may enjoy nurturing close attorney-client relations. While technology enhances efficiency, the human element remains essential for delivering excellent client care.

What are the biggest law firms in the US in 2025?

Kirkland & Ellis, Latham & Watkins and Baker McKenzie are the main competitors in the US law landscape at the moment. They’re generating billions in annual revenue and employ thousands of highly qualified attorneys. As for the historic ‘big three’ law firms in the US—just swap Baker McKenzie for Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. This is based on longstanding presence in revenue, prestige, size and influence across the planet. According to Clio, “Kirkland & Ellis is noted for its high revenue and strong presence in corporate law, Latham & Watkins for its global reach and expertise in various legal fields, and Skadden, Arps for its prestigious reputation and high-profile cases.”

And what are the biggest law firms in Europe? While there’s plenty of transaction going down in the US, the turnover in Europe is not to be sniffed at. For example, European 100 produced a ranking page across 2020 with total revenue adding up to over $2.57 billion. Not too shabby! You could also identify law firms in Europe via award ceremonies. Many rankings have paywalls, but The Lawyer European Awards 2024 is totally free and gives you the lowdown from lots of countries.

Is a big law firm the right choice for you?

Assessing the top law firms can be subjective, as different individuals prioritize different aspects of a firm’s offerings. For some, large firms offer extensive resources and career advancement opportunities. Others value the community impact and personalized service often found in smaller or mid-sized firms.

While larger firms typically dominate revenue rankings, smaller firms still achieve significant profitability by adopting legal technologies to streamline processes. Additionally, while larger firms tend to have more specialized services, smaller firms enjoy flexibility. This makes them competitive in different ways due to their “boutique” service.

The best law firms 2025 according to IE Law School

In the US, the biggest law firms are in need of qualified professionals. A recent survey found that 54% of participating attorneys believed a shortage of competent recruits was going to affect their firms. The legal sector is dealing with a backlog in court cases, which has slowed down the judicial process. This means it’s the perfect time to become a highly trained lawyer.

At IE Law School, we’re in close contact with a number of the very best law firms. Our previous Law Talent Fair attracting the biggest names across the sector, including representatives from: Eversteds, Andersen, Uría Menéndez, Baker & McKenzie, Pinsent Masons, Cases & Lacambra, Linklaters, CMS, Latham & Watkins, Addleshaw Goddard, Cuatrecasas, Hogan Lovells, Garrigues, Freshfields, Deloitte, A&O Shearman, Bird & Bird, Ashurts, White & Case, Clifford Chance, Ontier, Squire Patton Boggs, Ceca Magán, Perez-Llorca, KPMG, Watson & Farley, Herbert Smith Freehills, Gómez-Acebo & Pombo, DVA Piper, Dentons, EY and PWC.

Interested in what the world’s biggest law firms look for in new employees? Read our article for insights and tips on how to best present yourself. And, if you’re interested in studying our Master in Laws (LL.M.), make sure to follow the link below.