Ranking of World’s 200 Largest Law Firms Shows Strong Performance Despite Pandemic

New Release of the Annual Ranking of the Global 200 Largest Law Firms

New York, NY – September 20, 2021 — Law.com International and The American Lawyer have released the 2021 Global 200 report, providing a detailed look at the top-grossing law firms from around the world and the financial health of a global industry that succeeded despite the pandemic.  The results show significant gains in key financial metrics as clients leaned on their lawyers for counsel. 

The firms on this year’s list grew revenue by an average of 5.9%, a remarkable result in an unprecedented year. The Law.com International and ALM Intelligence charts, articles and analysis—and the complete rankings based on revenue, head count and profits per equity partner—can be found online at law.com/international. The data is available for download for Legal Compass subscribers, and is also available for purchase through Law Catalog. This year’s edition takes readers behind the numbers, offering in-depth analysis of the results for European, Asian and U.K. firms, as well as profiles of two firms situated toward the top of the Global 200. 

“The latest figures demonstrate how the world’s largest commercial law firms are able to thrive in almost any market environment,” said Paul Hodkinson, London-based Editor-In-Chief of Law.com International. “In particular, U.S.-based firms, which make up the bulk of the list, have performed well on the back of a strong domestic economy, and it is a similar story with China-based firms.”  

Lisa Shuchman, New York-based Executive Editor of Law.com International, added: “The 2021 Global 200 data shows that steady demand is allowing the world’s largest firms to keep on growing. Most regions — notably the Asia Pacific and Latin America — have demonstrated they have great growth potential for global and domestic firms that have positioned themselves well in those markets.”  

The Global 200 data is compiled in collaboration with ALM Intelligence for use throughout Legal Compass which enables users to compute year-over-year trends, in-depth comparisons, and peer benchmarking on Global 200 firms across key metrics, including financials, headcount, diversity, and more. An analysis of The Global 200 will also be featured in The American Lawyer’s October/November issue. 

“The performance of the world’s largest law firms has attracted attention not seen since the great recession,” said James Willer, Director of Legal Intelligence at ALM Intelligence. “For many firms in the Global 200, the tumultuous start to 2020 proved short-lived with robust lawyer financial productivity and cost reductions helping to drive bumper profitability. Fuelled by client-demand, several firms also continued to expand their attorney footprint in key and emerging markets across the globe including locations in Asia and Continental Europe.”

About Law.com International

Law.com International is the world’s legal authority covering news in the UK, Continental Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa and Canada, delivering quality local coverage with global insights & trends on the entire legal industry to give international lawyers the competitive edge and business intelligence needed to grow their business worldwide.

The trusted relationships we’ve built enable us to get out in front of trends and breaking news, and report back from the front lines with depth and clarity unmatched in the industry. Please visit www.law.com/international-edition/ for more information. Please follow us on LinkedIn @lawdotcomintl and Twitter @lawdotcomINTL. 

About ALM Intelligence

ALM Intelligence provides proprietary data, analysis, tools, and knowledge that empower our clients to succeed. The product suite and vast data repository arm professionals with the critical business information required to make the most impactful and informed decisions possible. The exhaustive data repository and product functionality enable professionals to combat competitive challenges head-on with the confidence to remain ahead of the field. The depth of ALM Intelligence’s expertise across the benefits, insurance, consulting, and legal industries provide a broad spectrum of actionable intelligence to facilitate and execute strategy. Visit https://www.alm.com/intelligence for more information. 

About ALM

ALM, an information and intelligence company, provides customers with critical news, data, analysis, marketing solutions and events to successfully manage the business of business. ALM serves a community of over 6 million business professionals seeking to discover, connect and compete in highly complex industries. Please visit www.alm.com for more information, and visit www.alm.com/events/ to learn about our upcoming events. Please follow us on Twitter @ALMMedia.