Modern law firms have evolved far beyond traditional legal partnerships. Today, they are multinational professional services organizations that employ thousands of lawyers, operate across several countries, and advise governments, financial institutions, healthcare companies, and tech giants on some of the most complex legal matters.
From multi-billion-dollar mergers and international arbitration to intellectual property disputes and regulatory compliance, these firms play an important role in facilitating global commerce and protecting trillions of dollars in corporate assets.
I’ve featured the biggest law firms in the world, recognized not only for their size but also for their influence on the global economy. They consistently rank among the world’s highest-grossing legal organizations.
Did you know?The legal services industry itself has become a trillion-dollar market. The global legal services market is valued at over $1.1 trillion, with forecasts projecting it will exceed $1.35 trillion by 2030. North America alone accounts for nearly 40% of global legal services revenue. [1]
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13. Hogan, Lovells and Cadwalader
Founded: 2010Number of attorneys: 3,200+
Revenue: $3.6 billion
Competitive Edge: World-c
Hogan Lovells traces its roots to the merger of Washington, DC-based Hogan & Hartson and London-based Lovells, two firms with over 100 years of legal history.
In 2026, the firm grew even larger by merging with Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft. The new Hogan Lovells Cadwalader now has nearly 3,100 lawyers and generates more than $3.6 billion in annual revenue. [2]
Unlike many elite firms that focus primarily on private equity, Hogan Lovells has built one of the legal industry’s strongest franchises in highly regulated industries. It advises global clients across life sciences, healthcare, technology, telecommunications, financial institutions, energy, defense, and government contracting.
Its business is also geographically diversified, with 50% of revenue from the Americas, 46% from EMEA, and 4% from Asia-Pacific. [3]
12. Morgan, Lewis & Bockius
Number of attorneys: 2,200+
Revenue: $3.2 billion
PEP: $3 million
Competitive Edge: Broad diversified practice portfolio
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius is one of the oldest continuously operating corporate law firms in the United States. It is particularly known for its leadership in labor and employment law, one of the firm’s historic strengths.
The firm also has globally recognized practices in investment management, structured finance, life sciences, healthcare, technology, private equity, banking, cybersecurity, and intellectual property.
This broad expertise enables it to provide integrated legal advice across transactions, regulatory compliance, investigations, disputes, and litigation.
Morgan Lewis demonstrated the breadth of its legal expertise in the Legal 500 United States 2026 Guide, earning 66 ranked practice areas, including 17 Tier 1 rankings, while 289 lawyers received individual recognition. [4]
11. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
Founded: 1884Number of attorneys: 1,700+
Revenue: $3.55 billion
PEP: $8.57 million
Competitive Edge: Elite corporate finance expertise
Simpson Thacher is one of the world’s premier advisers to private equity sponsors and infrastructure investors. It represents many of the largest global investment firms (including Blackstone, KKR, Apollo, Carlyle and Brookfield) on leveraged buyouts, portfolio acquisitions, exits and financing transactions.
According to the Texas Lawbook, Simpson represents all 10 of the largest US private equity infrastructure funds. This puts the firm at the center of one of the fastest-growing segments of global investment activity.
Despite its smaller lawyer base, Simpson Thacher is one of the world’s most profitable law firms. In 2025, revenue climbed 22.5% to a record $3.55 billion, PEP reached nearly $8.57 million, and revenue per lawyer exceeded $2 million.
The firm is now expanding aggressively in Texas, one of its fastest-growing markets. It increased its Texas lawyer headcount by 26% during 2025, while Texas revenue rose 34% to $187.8 million. [5]
10. White & Case
Founded: 1901Number of attorneys: 2,550+
Revenue: $3.7 billion
PEP: $4.4 million
Competitive Edge: World-class project finance & infrastructure practice
White & Case is well-known for handling complex cross-border transactions, particularly in mergers and acquisitions, infrastructure, project finance, energy, private capital, restructuring, and international arbitration.
Nearly half of the firm’s client matters involve cross-border work, which highlights its ability to coordinate legal advice across multiple jurisdictions.
White & Case is the world’s leading adviser in project finance, renewable energy, private capital, and infrastructure. In 2026, Bloomberg ranked it No. 1 for EMEA IPOs and equity offerings, and Mergermarket placed it among the top firms in multiple global and regional M&A league tables.
In 2025, White & Case reported a record $3.6 billion in global revenue, an 8.5% year-over-year increase. This growth pushed the firm’s profits per equity partner (PEP) to $4.4 million and revenue per lawyer to $1.4 million.
Looking ahead, the firm has adopted an ambitious long-term strategy: it aims to exceed $5 billion in annual revenue by 2028. [6]
9. Baker McKenzie
Number of attorneys: 4,590+
Revenue: $3.64 billion
PEP: $2.1 million
Competitive Edge: Global cross-border expertise
Unlike many US-based competitors whose expansion happened primarily through mergers, Baker McKenzie built its global network organically over several decades. Today, it operates 71 offices across 45 countries and employs 4,595 lawyers.
It advises multinational corporations on cross-border mergers and acquisitions, global tax planning, customs, international trade, employment law, cybersecurity, intellectual property, ESG, supply chain compliance, and regulatory investigations.
Baker McKenzie consistently ranks among the world’s top law firms. In the Chambers Global 2026 Guide, it received 357 practice rankings and 528 lawyer rankings — the highest total of any law firm worldwide. It also earned 55 practice rankings and 104 lawyer rankings in the Chambers USA 2026 Guide.
In 2025, the firm generated nearly $3.64 billion in revenue, with about 75% coming from cross-border and multijurisdictional legal work.
8. Ropes & Gray
Founded: 1865Number of attorneys: 1,500+
Revenue: $3.7 billion
PEP: $5.7 million
Competitive Edge: Outstanding financial productivity
Ropes & Gray has evolved from a regional New England practice into a global legal player with 16 offices and more than 1,500 legal professionals.
The firm is particularly well known for its leadership in private equity and asset management. It advises many of the world’s largest investment firms on acquisitions, fund formation, financing, portfolio company transactions and exits.
In 2025 alone, Ropes & Gray’s private equity team handled more than 300 transactions worth approximately $175 billion. It also advises venture capital and growth equity managers on funds ranging from under $100 million to more than $5 billion.
Plus, the firm continued its strong commitment to public service, contributing over 130,000 pro bono hours and earning a spot on The American Lawyer’s A-List for the 14th year in a row. [7]
Although Ropes & Gray has fewer lawyers than many global firms, it consistently ranks among the world’s most profitable because it focuses on high-value legal work. In 2025, the firm earned a record $3.7 billion in revenue, while PEP reached about $5.7 million and revenue per lawyer increased 8.3%.
7. Sidley Austin
Founded: 1866Number of attorneys: 2,300+
Revenue: $3.74 billion
PEP: $6 million
Competitive Edge: Exceptional Private Equity platform
Over its 160-year history, Sidley has earned a reputation for excellence in corporate law, capital markets, private equity, litigation, international trade, and regulatory advisory work.
Unlike firms that rely heavily on a single sector, Sidley benefits from a diversified practice portfolio that helps it perform well across different economic cycles. Its private equity team was named Law360’s 2025 Private Equity Practice Group of the Year, highlighting its leadership in sponsor-led transactions.
They have 21 offices and clients in more than 70 countries. Sidley’s London office, in particular, generated nearly $299 million in revenue in 2025, an increase of nearly 32% year over year, making it one of the fastest-growing US law firm offices in the UK. [8]
Sidley continues investing heavily in talent. In 2026, it announced an additional 52 global partner promotions, including five new partners in London, following an earlier round of 29 partner promotions.
6. Gibson Dunn
Number of attorneys: 2,200+
Revenue: $4.21 billion
PEP: $8.89 million
Competitive Edge: World-class litigation Practice
Gibson Dunn is one of America’s oldest and most prestigious corporate law firms. It consistently ranks among the world’s highest-grossing law firms and is particularly renowned for its litigation, mergers and acquisitions, appellate advocacy and regulatory practices.
One of Gibson Dunn’s greatest strengths is its globally respected litigation practice. The firm has argued more than 160 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and regularly handles some of the most complex commercial, constitutional and appellate matters in the US.
In 2025 alone, it won over $660 million in damages for Energy Transfer, eliminated $350 million in liability for Cisco in a single jury trial, and overturned a $237 million verdict against UPS.
That same year, Gibson Dunn reported $4.2 billion in revenue (up 18%) and $8.89 million in PEP (up 24%). The firm has nearly doubled its revenue in five years and recorded its 30th straight year of revenue growth and 29th straight year of profit growth. [9]
5. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
Founded: 1948Number of attorneys: 1,700+
Revenue: $3.67 billion
PEP: $6.05 million
Competitive Edge: Elite mergers & acquisitions franchise
Skadden is known for advising on high-value mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, private equity, securities offerings and complex litigation.
Its clients include Fortune 500 companies, leading investment banks, asset managers, tech companies and sovereign entities. The firm’s corporate practice has long been considered one of the strongest on Wall Street, particularly for public company M&A and shareholder activism defense.
The firm generated about $3.67 billion in revenue in 2025 and achieved an impressive $6.05 million in profit per equity partner (PEP). Its $2.07 million revenue per lawyer ranks among the highest in the legal industry.
Plus, Skadden consistently ranks among the world’s most prestigious law firms. It currently holds the No. 3 overall position in the Vault Law 100 and earns top rankings in tax law, securities litigation, and several regional practice areas. [10]
4. A&O Shearman
Founded: 2024Number of attorneys: 4,000
Revenue: $3.7 billion
PEP: $2.9 million
Competitive Edge: Exceptional Banking and Finance expertise
A&O Shearman was created through the landmark merger of Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling in May 2024. This transaction united one of the UK’s prestigious Magic Circle firms with one of America’s historic “white shoe” law firms.
Since the merger, the firm has reduced its partner count by roughly 10%, invested heavily in AI-enabled legal services, and adopted a sector-focused strategy emphasizing finance, private capital, technology, disputes and regulatory work.
During FY 2026, A&O Shearman advised on several high-profile deals, including Keurig Dr Pepper’s €15.7 billion acquisition of JDE Peet’s, Boston Scientific’s $15 billion acquisition of Penumbra, and the £38 billion Sizewell C nuclear power project. [11]
The firm finished FY 2026 with $1.6 billion in profit before tax and $2.9 million in profit per equity partner (PEP). Although revenue stayed about the same, profits improved noticeably, with PEP up 12% and profit before tax up 14%.
3. DLA Piper
Founded: 2005DLA Piper advised mining company Quilla Resources Inc. (Quilla) on a US$25 million investment package from Elemental Royalty Corporation (Elemental) and its subsidiary Minera Pampa de Cobre S.A.C. (MPDC). The transaction expands Elemental’s royalty interest to the Chapi Copper… pic.twitter.com/j1OLqiSGRL
— DLA Piper (@DLA_Piper) July 21, 2026
Number of attorneys: 4,800+
Revenue: $4.6 billion
PEP: $4.14 million
Competitive Edge: Investing heavily in tech and digital innovation
Formed through the merger of three major law firms, DLA Piper quickly became one of the largest legal organizations globally. Today, it operates from more than 80 offices across 40+ countries, employs over 4,800 lawyers, and serves clients in virtually every major financial market.
It advises multinational corporations on cross-border mergers, international disputes, regulatory compliance, cybersecurity, ESG, infrastructure, private capital, and digital transformation.
The firm has embraced new technologies in recent years, investing in AI, legal automation, and blockchain solutions. It also introduced TOKO, a platform that helps tokenize digital assets. [12]
DLA’s financial performance continues to place it among the world’s legal elite. In 2025, the firm generated $4.6 billion in revenue, up 8.4% from the previous year, while profit per equity partner rose 19.6% to $4.14 million.
2. Latham & Watkins
Number of attorneys: 3,700+
Revenue: $8.3 billion
PEP: $8.65 million
Competitive Edge: Strong diversification across practice areas
Latham & Watkins is one of the top law firms for major corporate deals. In 2024, it worked on more billion-dollar transactions than any of its competitors and secured over 100 No. 1 rankings from leading industry organizations like Bloomberg, LSEG, Mergermarket and Law360.
In 2025, Latham achieved another historic milestone by generating over $8.3 billion in global revenue. Average Profit per Equity Partner increased to $8.65 million, up more than 21% year-over-year, while revenue per lawyer climbed to $2.2 million.
Beyond corporate transactions, Latham has built elite practices in litigation, restructuring, antitrust, white-collar defense, environmental law, tax, life sciences and regulatory investigations.
In the 2026 Chambers USA rankings, the firm received 98 Band 1 practice rankings and 108 Band 1 lawyer rankings. It was also named the Most Innovative Law Firm in North America 2025 by the Financial Times for its investments in AI and legal technology. [13]
1. Kirkland & Ellis
Number of attorneys: 4,000+
Revenue: $10.5 billion
PEP: $11.1 million
Competitive Edge: Dominance in Private Equity
Kirkland & Ellis is one of the defining institutions of modern “Big Law,” particularly because of its dominance in private equity, complex mergers and acquisitions, investment funds, restructuring and high-stakes litigation.
Its clients include some of the most prominent names in private capital, including Blackstone, KKR, Bain Capital and Thoma Bravo.
In the 2025 Chambers USA rankings, Kirkland had 121 ranked practice areas and 294 ranked lawyers, including 56 Band 1 practice rankings.
Its private-equity platform has won major industry recognition. In 2026, Private Equity International named it Law Firm of the Year in the Americas for both Fund Formation and Transactions.
Its financial performance is equally impressive. In 2025, Kirkland & Ellis became the first law firm to surpass $10 billion in annual revenue, with average profits per equity partner reaching about $11.1 million. [14]
Read More
- 13 Different Types Of Lawyers
- 13 Largest IPOs In History
- 15 Largest Private Equity Firms In The World
- Legal services market size and trend analysis, Grand View Research
- Hogan Lovells, Cadwalader disclose revenues ahead of merger, Reuters
- HLC reports record results for the third consecutive year, Hogan Lovells Cadwalader
- The Legal 500 US 2026 recognizes 66 Morgan Lewis practices and 289 lawyers, Morgan Lewis
- Simpson Thacher’s really big year, Texas Lawbook
- The firm targets $5 billion in annual revenue, White & Case
- Firm celebrates pro bono contributions at annual ceremony, Ropes & Grey
- Sidley London revenue jumps by a third as firmwide PEP hits $6 million, Legal Business
- Gibson Dunn posts 18% revenue increase to $4.2 billion, The American Lawyer
- Skadden is a legal powerhouse and mainstay among the most prestigious firms, Vault
- A&O Shearman profits rise 14% as firm sharpens its focus, A&O Shearman
- AI and data analytics on a global scale, DLA Piper
- Latham leads all firms in the Chambers USA 2026 guide, Latham & Watkins
- Kirkland defies private equity downturn with record $11 million partner pay, Financial Times
