Global 100: Clifford Chance Tops List by Revenue

Once again, London-based international firm Clifford Chance tops The American Lawyer’s list of the largest firms on planet, the Global 100. And the remaining top four are in the same positions they held on last year’s list: Linklaters (2^nd); Skadden, Arps (3^rd); and Freshfields (4^th), but some shuffling of the ranks was seen in the rest of the top 10 and top 20. Most notable was the entrance of DLA Piper US in 14^th place, up from 31^st place in last year’s survey. The firm’s European component, DLA Piper Europe also appeared among the Global 100, ranking in 28^th place.

   

First place on the Global 100 Most Lawyers chart went, as always, to Baker & McKenzie, the Chicago-based firm that now has almost 3,000 lawyers, most working internationally. Others in the top five, Clifford Chance (2^nd); Jones Day (3^rd); Linklaters (4^th); and Freshfields, each has more than 2,000 lawyers. A newcomer to the lists, U.K.-based  Taylor Wessing, barely made the charts, tying for 99^th place, with 520 lawyers.

   

Firms that make either the Most Revenue or Most Lawyers lists – there were 113 in all – are considered for a third list, the Global 100 by Profits Per Equity Partner. Once again, New York M&A powerhouse Wachtell topped the chart, with $3,790,000 average PPP. In fact, all firms in the top ten had an average PPP of $2 million or more, and all firms in the top 50 had an average PPP of $1 million or more.

   

ALM Research Online offers a searchable spreadsheet of all the information from the Global 100, which is free to subscribers, and $275.00 for non-subscribers.