The legal industry is now dominated by a handful of firms generating billions of dollars each year from mergers, litigation, private equity, banking, investigations and regulatory work. The biggest names in Big Law employ thousands of lawyers across dozens of offices and advise many of the world’s largest companies, investment funds and financial institutions.
Current 2026 revenue rankings place Kirkland & Ellis firmly at the top of the market, ahead of rivals including Latham & Watkins, DLA Piper, A&O Shearman and Skadden. Several firms now generate more than $3 billion annually, while Kirkland has crossed the $10 billion mark — something almost unthinkable for a law firm a decade ago.
Top 10 Biggest Law Firms in the World
| Rank | Law Firm | Revenue | Lawyers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kirkland & Ellis | $10.8bn | 3,828 |
| 2 | Latham & Watkins | $7.0bn | 3,584 |
| 3 | DLA Piper | $4.24bn | 4,827 |
| 4 | A&O Shearman | $3.71bn | 3,105 |
| 5 | Skadden | $3.67bn | 1,774 |
| 6 | Gibson Dunn | $3.56bn | 1,940 |
| 7 | Sidley Austin | $3.44bn | 1,979 |
| 8 | Ropes & Gray | $3.42bn | 1,466 |
| 9 | Baker McKenzie | $3.39bn | 4,595 |
| 10 | White & Case | $3.32bn | 2,598 |
1. Kirkland & Ellis
No law firm currently matches Kirkland & Ellis for revenue or influence in private equity. The Chicago-founded firm has become the dominant force in high-value dealmaking, restructuring and corporate disputes, acting for many of the biggest investment funds and financial sponsors in the world.
Its rise has been driven partly by aggressive lateral hiring and its ability to attract some of the highest-billing lawyers in the market. Crossing $10 billion in annual revenue has pushed Kirkland into territory once associated more with investment banks than legal partnerships.
2. Latham & Watkins
Latham & Watkins remains one of the few firms capable of competing with Kirkland across almost every major area of corporate law. The firm has a particularly strong reputation in banking, capital markets, M&A and private equity work.
With offices spread across the US, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, Latham has built a client base that includes major banks, multinational corporations and investment firms. Its London operation also remains one of the most powerful US law firm presences in the UK market.
3. DLA Piper
DLA Piper stands out partly because of its sheer size. It employs nearly 5,000 lawyers and operates across more than 40 countries, giving it one of the broadest office networks in the legal industry.
Unlike firms focused mainly on elite finance work, DLA handles a huge spread of commercial matters including employment, insurance, technology, real estate, disputes and regulatory advice. That breadth has helped it become one of the highest-grossing firms in the world.
4. A&O Shearman
The merger between Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling created one of the most closely watched law firm combinations in recent years. A&O Shearman combines deep roots in the London finance market with a much larger US corporate capability than Allen & Overy previously had on its own.
The firm is heavily involved in banking, cross-border transactions, capital markets and major corporate mandates. Its size also reflects the growing pressure on elite UK firms to strengthen their US presence.
5. Skadden
Skadden has long been viewed as one of Wall Street’s most powerful law firms. The New York firm built its reputation on takeover work, corporate litigation and high-profile transactions, and it continues to dominate many of the biggest deals in the market.
Although smaller than some rivals by lawyer headcount, Skadden generates extremely high revenue per lawyer. That reflects the premium rates attached to its corporate and disputes work.
6. Gibson Dunn
Gibson Dunn has become especially prominent in litigation, investigations, appeals and politically sensitive disputes. The firm frequently appears in major courtroom battles involving governments, large corporations and senior executives.
At the same time, Gibson Dunn maintains a strong corporate and private equity practice, allowing it to compete across both transactional and contentious work.
7. Sidley Austin
Sidley Austin continues to expand across areas including investment funds, healthcare, regulatory matters, litigation and finance. The Chicago-headquartered firm has also invested heavily in technology and artificial intelligence advisory work as demand from corporate clients grows.
Its broad spread of practice areas has helped it remain one of the world’s highest-earning firms without relying too heavily on any single sector.
8. Ropes & Gray
Ropes & Gray is smaller than several firms below it in lawyer numbers, but it generates exceptionally strong revenue figures for its size. The firm is particularly well known in private equity, life sciences, asset management and healthcare.
Its client list includes major investment firms, universities, healthcare groups and financial institutions. In recent years, the firm has also strengthened its presence in London and across Europe.
9. Baker McKenzie
Baker McKenzie built its reputation by expanding internationally far earlier than many rivals. Today it remains one of the most recognisable legal brands in the world, with thousands of lawyers operating across multiple continents.
The firm is especially strong in tax, employment, compliance, trade and multinational advisory work. For global corporations needing coordinated legal advice across different jurisdictions, Baker McKenzie remains a major player.
10. White & Case
White & Case has developed one of the strongest cross-border finance and arbitration practices in the legal industry. The firm is particularly active in energy, infrastructure, project finance and international disputes.
Its lawyers regularly advise on deals and disputes spanning the US, Europe, the Middle East and emerging markets. That international focus continues to separate White & Case from more domestically concentrated rivals.
Why These Rankings Matter
Revenue rankings offer a snapshot of where major corporate legal work is flowing. The firms at the top of the table usually attract the biggest transactions, the most profitable private equity clients and some of the highest-paid partners in the profession.
But size alone does not determine reputation. Some smaller firms outperform larger rivals in profitability, prestige or specialist areas such as M&A, litigation or restructuring. Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz is a well-known example: far smaller than most firms in the top 10, yet still one of the most profitable legal partnerships in the world.
Biggest Law Firms in the UK
Several UK-linked firms continue to rank among the world’s largest legal businesses, including A&O Shearman, Clifford Chance, Freshfields, Linklaters, DLA Piper, Hogan Lovells, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer and Ashurst.
The UK market has also become increasingly shaped by US expansion into London, particularly in private equity, finance and disputes work, where American firms now compete aggressively against the traditional Magic Circle — a major area of legal insight for firms tracking changes in the global legal market.
FAQs
What is the biggest law firm in the world?
Kirkland & Ellis is currently the world’s biggest law firm by revenue, generating more than $10 billion annually.
Which law firms make the most money?
Kirkland & Ellis, Latham & Watkins, DLA Piper, A&O Shearman and Skadden are among the highest-revenue law firms in the world.
What is the biggest law firm in the UK?
Among firms with major UK operations, DLA Piper and A&O Shearman rank among the largest by global revenue. UK-only rankings can vary depending on whether they measure domestic turnover, profit or lawyer headcount.
Are the biggest law firms also the most prestigious?
Not always. Some smaller firms are considered more elite in areas such as M&A, private equity or litigation despite having fewer lawyers and lower overall revenue.