Top 10 Largest Law Firms in the World

Law is a big service-based business. Business, finance, taxation, litigation, corporate affairs, conflicts, patents, copyrights, antitrust, property, labor, arbitration, as well as administrative, 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.

1. Kirkland & Ellis LLP

Kirkland & Ellis LLP serves 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’s revenues stood 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.

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 & Watkins ranks second in terms of annual revenues, with a reported $5.7 billion.

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 global law firms with lawyers in more than 40 countries, DLA Piper came into existence after a merger in 2005.

Headquartered in London and Chicago, this firm came in third with annual revenues exceeding $3.8 billion. 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 McKenzie calls itself “the original global law firm.”

It employs more than 4,500 lawyers who work in 69 offices around the world. Its reported revenues for 2023 were close to $3.3 billion, 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, Skadden has 22 offices across the globe with an employee roster of more than 1,700 lawyers, and more than 50 practice areas.

Its reported annual revenues were $3.3 billion. 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 & Case employs more than 2,500 lawyers across more than 40 offices worldwide. Its reported revenues in 2023 were $2.9 billion, 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 1,900 lawyers.

According to the company’s website, its primary sectors of coverage include financial institutions, healthcare, private equity, and transport. Its reported revenues for 2023 were over $3 billion.

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.