Law is a big service-based business. Business, finance, taxation, litigation, corporate affairs, conflicts, patents, copyrights, antitrust, property, labor, arbitration, as well asadministrative, political, and social matters all require law expertise. While there are other criteria to rank law firms—such as revenue per partner or lawyer, the number of lawyers, or year-over-year percent growth—annual revenue remains the most accurate, consistent, and easy to follow.
Here's a list of the top 10 law firms in the world, based on the 2023 Global 200 rankings published by Law.com. Note that while this list follows the Global 200 rankings, some of the later entries may appear to be slightly out of order due to different revenue estimates on Law.com and the firms' own websites.
Key Takeaways
- Revenues for the top 10 law firms were all close to or over $3 billion—and in some cases, well over.
- Kirkland & Ellis came out on top with$7.2billion in revenue.
- A 10 top firms have multiple offices around the world and employ thousands of lawyers.
1. Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Kirkland & Ellis LLPserves corporate clients across the corporate, taxation, litigation, intellectual property, and restructuring fields. With more than 3,500 people on board, the U.S.-based firm'srevenuesstood at over $7.2 billion in 2023, putting it at the top of the list.
The firm has a large number of high-profile clients, including Boeing, Delta Air Lines, Dow Chemical General Motors, and Pfizer.
Fast Fact
Kirkland & Ellis was founded in 1909 in Chicago.
2. Latham & Watkins LLP
With more than 30 offices in the U.S. and around the world and more than 3,400 lawyers on board,Latham & Watkinsranks second in terms of annual revenues, with a reported $5.7billion.
The firm offers a wide range of services from activism, to entertainment and media, to real estate, and white-collar defense.
3. DLA Piper
One of the biggest globallaw firms with lawyers in more than 40 countries, DLA Pipercame into existence after a merger in 2005.
Headquartered in London and Chicago, this firm came in third withannual revenuesexceeding $3.8billion. It employs more than 4,500 lawyers throughout its offices, with practice areas in sectors such as education, government contracting, insurance, and technology.
4. Baker McKenzie
Founded 75 years ago, Baker McKenziecalls itself "the original global law firm."
It employs more than 4,500 lawyers who work in 69 offices around the world. Itsreportedrevenues for 2023 were close to $3.3billion, making it the fourth-highest on the list.
5. Dentons
Dentons is the product of multiple mergers in the last half decade. It refers to itself as "the world's largest global law firm."
The firm most recently ranked number five on the list, with 2023 revenues exceeding $3 billion, according to a December 2023 report on Law.com. It boasts more than 160 offices in more than 80 countries.
6. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Skadden—as the firm is commonly known—was founded in 1948. With headquarters in New York, Skaddenhas 22offices across the globe with anemployee roster of more than 1,700 lawyers, and more than 50 practice areas.
Its reported annual revenues were $3.3billion. The firm advises businesses, financial institutions, and government agencies worldwide.
7. Sidley Austin
Founded in 1866, Sidley—as it's commonly known—is headquartered in Chicago. In 2023, the firm had reported revenues of over $3.1 billion.
It employs more than 2,100 lawyers in 21 offices around the world and focuses on corporate finance, employment, regulatory and government affairs, and tax law, among other areas.
8. White & Case
Founded in 1901 in New York City,White & Caseemploys more than 2,500 lawyers across more than 40 offices worldwide. Itsreportedrevenues in 2023 were $2.9billion, making it the eighth-highest on the list.
9. Morgan Lewis
Morgan Lewis was founded in 1873 and currently employs roughly 2,000 lawyers. The firm reported nearly $2.9 billion in revenue—putting it in ninth place on the list. Morgan Lewis is headquartered in Philadelphia, with more than 30 offices around the world.
10. Gibson Dunn
Founded in 1872 in Los Angeles, Gibson Dunn has 21 offices around the world. Its roster includes approximately 1,900lawyers.
According to the company's website, its primary sectors of coverage include financial institutions, healthcare, private equity, and transport. Itsreportedrevenues for 2023 were over $3billion.
What Is the Largest Law Firm in the World?
The largest law firm in the world in terms of revenue is Kirkland & Ellis LLP, according to the Global 200 ranking of the top 200 firms in the world. The firm has more than 3,500 lawyers on its roster and earned over $7.2 billion in gross revenue in 2023.
What Is the Largest Law Firm in the United States?
While Kirkland & Ellis tops the list in terms of revenue in the Global 200 rankings, DLA Piper is the largest based on size, with more than 4,500 lawyers, according to the National Law Journal's NLJ 500 rankings for 2024.
How Much Do the Top Lawyers Earn?
Lawyer salaries vary based on where they practice, their practice areas, the experience they have, and the law firm, if any, for which they work. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for a lawyer in 2023 was $145,760 a year. The highest 10% in the field, though, earned more than $239,200, while the lowest 10% earned less than $69,760. Some lawyers, of course, earn many times those numbers.
What Is the Current Job Outlook for Lawyers?
The Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the employment of lawyers will grow a total of 8% from 2022 to 2032, or about 39,100 new jobs per year on average. It adds that, "Although law firms will continue to be among the largest employers of lawyers, many large corporations are increasing their in-house legal departments to cut costs."
The Bottom Line
With business, finance, and other enterprises becoming increasingly global, major law firms have followed suit. Today a handful of firms, including the 10 listed here, have dozens of offices and thousands of lawyers worldwide, with annual revenues well into the billions of dollars.
