Legal profession is the largest service-based business in the world. Business, taxation, finance, real estate, corporate affairs, labor, copyrights, patents, administration, and even social and political matters all of them need law expertise. A lawyer can not coexist without law firms like doctors, who can't coexist without hospitals. Therefore, every lawyer wants to work with the largest law firm.

A law firm is a company or business that offers its customers legal services. They can be individuals, enterprises, or governments. Law firms vary in size from solo to big global law firms. The criteria to rank law firms worldwide include the number of attorneys, profits per lawyer, and annual growth percentage. However, annual revenue is the most consistent and accurate one.

In this article, we have compiled a list of the top 10 largest law firms worldwide. Let's take a look at these biggest law firms in the world!

Latham & Watkins LLP

Headquarters: Los Angeles

Number of attorneys: Over 3,000

Revenue: 4.33 Billion Dollars

Latham and Watkins is one of the largest law firms worldwide, ranking second in annual revenue. Currently, this law firm has over 3,000 attorneys on board. Latham was founded in Los Angeles, and now the firm has offices in 14 countries, including Paris, France, Germany, Hong Kong, China, Belgium, and Italy. Latham and Watkins is the only multinational law firm with no single headquarters. Moreover, the firm provides outstanding services from entertainment, media, and activism to real estate.

Sidley Austin LLP

Headquarters: Chicago

Number of attorneys: Over 1800

Revenue: 2.46 Billion Dollars

Established in 1866, Sidley Austin has a variety of legal professionals from different cultures who're committed to providing quality services and teamwork. The firm has more than 18,00 attorneys in 20 global offices. In addition, it has a long list of clients in big industries like technology, energy, banking, life sciences, and insurance. However, Sidley focuses on employment, tax law, corporate finance, and government affairs.

Sullivan & Cromwell

Headquarters: NewYork

Number of attorneys: 900

Revenue: 1.76 Billion Dollars

Sullivan and Cromwell is one of the prestigious law firms that allows lawyers to work beyond subgroups and industries. Founded in 1870, this largest multinational law firm has more than 13 offices in the world with its 130+ year history. The firm has made its reputation by giving excellent legal advice to clients worldwide. 

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

Headquarters: Chicago

Number of attorneys: 3,000

Revenue: 6 Billion Dollars

This US-based law firm serves various clients in taxation, corporate, restructuring fields, and property. Kirkland and Ellis LLP was established in 1909 in Chicago. With around 3,000 lawyers, the firm had 6 Billion Dollars in annual revenues in 2022, which places it at the top of the largest law firms. However, the company has various high-profile clients that include Boeing, Dow Chemicals, General Motors, and Delta Airlines.

Skadden

Headquarters: New York

Number of attorneys: 1700

Revenue: 2.4 Billion Dollars

Founded in 1948, Skadden is a fairly new firm that grew as an influential firm in the legal world. With about 1,644 attorneys on board, the law firm ranks 14th number in the US based on size. Besides, the company ranked 5th on the 2022 Am Law 200 list by revenues. In addition, Skadden was titled the most innovative firm by the Financial Times report. Among the highest-earning firms across the world, this innovative law firm ranked 5th on the 2022 international 200 survey.

DLA Piper

Headquarters: Chicago and London

Number of attorneys: 4,000

Revenue: 3.5 Billion Dollars

DLA Piper is one of the largest law firms, with attorneys in over 40 additional countries. After a big merger of various global law firms, this top law firm existed then in 2005. The company is headquartered in Chicago as well as London. Moreover, the firm employs about 4,000 attorneys in all its offices and manages practice areas in multiple industries, such as insurance, government contracting, education, and technology.

Clifford Chance

Headquarters: London

Number of attorneys: 2,500

Revenue: 2.5 Billion Dollars

Clifford Chance is the top law firm in revenue in the UK and Europe. The firm has approximately 2,500 attorneys and offices in more than 30 different locations across the globe. However, it has wide roots in Northeast Asia and offices in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, and Tokyo. Furthermore, the major sectors of the firm include transport, healthcare, banks, private equity, and logistics. 

White & Case

Headquarters: Tampa

Number of attorneys: 2,200

Revenue: 2.39 Billion Dollars

White and Case is another top law firm established in 1901 plus headquartered in Tampa. Now, this international firm employs above 2,200 attorneys across 47 additional countries worldwide. In its revenues report of 2.39 billion dollars, the firm ranked ninth highest law firm on the list.

Baker Mckenzie

Headquarters: Chicago

Number of attorneys: Over 13,000

Revenue: 3.1 Billion Dollars

Baker Mckenzie is the fifth-highest law firm in terms of revenue. Originated in 1949, the law firm has over 13,000 lawyers across 46 countries. This Illinois-based law firm specializes in business law. In addition, Baker Mckenzie provides legal services to various corporations or companies in terms of bankruptcy, restructuring, M&A, securities, intellectual property, and antitrust litigation. 

Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP

Headquarters: New York

Number of attorneys: Over 500

Revenue: 800 Million Dollars

Cravath is one of the most reputable law firms that originated in 1819 when a lawyer Richard Blatchford established his office in NewYork. Afterward, the turning point came in Cravath's history in 1899 when Paul Drennan Cravath, a famous lawyer, joined it as a partner. Throughout its long history, the firm represented renowned companies in the United States. 

Final Thoughts

The expertise of law firms at the local and international levels is needed for top firms in the world. Big law firms manage various practice areas and serve high clients and businesses. The law firms mentioned above are successfully operating their business and handling billion-dollar revenues invariably.

Additionally, they are contributing to the rapidly growing international legal services industry. Also, they distinguished themselves worldwide by setting the legal pace in their country and also in the world. Lastly, whenever you face any legal trouble, it's recommended to reach out to a good law firm and lawyer.