The Chambers Global Guide 2025 has officially launched, marking the directory’s most comprehensive and in-depth rankings yet.
Over the past year, the directory’s research team has reviewed more than 3,300 submissions, conducted thousands of interviews with lawyers and clients, and analysed key market trends to bring together the definitive resource for the global legal industry.
By the numbers
- 13,756 department rankings
- 29,840 lawyer rankings
- 3,060 newly ranked lawyers
- 2,522 up-and-comers and associates to watch
Top-ranked firms
Several firms stood out for their exceptional performance in this year’s rankings:
- Most Department Rankings: A&O Shearman and Baker McKenzie (308 each), Clifford Chance (286), DLA Piper (257)
- Most Individual Lawyer Rankings: Freshfields (484), Clifford Chance (443), White & Case (426)
Key legal market trends in 2024
The global legal market has seen significant shifts over the past year, with key developments including:
- Disputes & Arbitration: There has been a surge in class actions and group litigation, driven by litigation funders. Infrastructure, energy, and climate change arbitrations saw significant growth, with Japan’s arbitration market expanding following its 2023 legal reforms.
- Global M&A: Deal values have rebounded to $3.5 trillion, fuelled by blockbuster M&A activity. US-UK transactions have also surged, driven by UK firms’ lower valuations.
- AI & Legal Tech: AI saw increased regulation and investment, leading to the introduction of Global Market Leaders: AI rankings.
What’s new in the 2025 Guide?
General Counsel Rankings
For the first time, Chambers Global recognises the world’s top in-house counsel, ranking over 270 leading General Counsel across 10 jurisdictions. These rankings consider legal expertise, strategic leadership, and contributions to ESG and DEI initiatives.
Expanded regional coverage
Our rankings now include greater coverage in developing markets:
- AMECO (Africa, Middle East, Caribbean & Offshore): 2,158 department rankings (up 182 from 2024).
- New ranking tables have been created for:
- Israel: Investment Funds
- Mauritius: Banking & Finance
- Nigeria: Capital Markets
- Saudi Arabia: Public Policy & Regional Affairs
- UAE: Transportation: Aviation
Diversity & Inclusion
The Chambers Global 2025 research made a focused effort to recognise more junior and up-and-coming lawyers, resulting in a significant increase in the number of \”associates to watch\” identified, compared to the previous year.
The research also highlighted improvements in gender diversity, with the percentage of ranked female lawyers ranging from 30-70% across different African jurisdictions, and approaching 50% gender parity in Ghana, in particular.
Regional insights
Our research highlights key developments across major global regions:
- Africa: Growth in alternative dispute resolution, technology, media & telecoms (TMT), and energy. Somalia has been added as a ranked jurisdiction, making it the last African country to be included.
- Middle East:
- Saudi Arabia: Rapid expansion as international firms enter under new regulations.
- UAE: A growing tech and venture capital hub, benefiting from the country’s removal from the FATF grey list.
- Caribbean:
- Cayman Islands: Business activity has rebounded following FATF grey list removal.
- BVI: Strong growth in crypto and blockchain-related funds, helped by a lighter regulatory framework compared to the Cayman Islands.
Enhancing your Chambers & Partners ranking
The directory continues to offer tools and insights to help firms and lawyers make the most of their rankings:
- Chambers Insight Reports: Custom reports offering feedback, competitor analysis, and ranking trends.
- Marketing & Profile Platform: Tools to enhance profile visibility, manage referee submissions, and maximise marketing impact.
Looking ahead to 2026
Submissions for the Chambers Global 2026 guide are now open, with research set to begin in March 2025.
Due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, Chambers & Partners has decided not to conduct research on Russia and Belarus this year. This decision will be reviewed ahead of the 2026 edition.
Chambers & Partners will soon share more details on how in-house counsel can participate in the directory’s GC research.
Preparing a submission for the Chambers Global Guide?
The Chambers Global Guide 2025 ranks the world’s leading lawyers, law firms, and in-house counsel across 200+ jurisdictions. Rankings are based on the most thorough, independent research in the legal industry.
Are you thinking of preparing a submission, but don’t know where to start?
We understand the complexities of legal directory submissions and the importance of securing a Chambers ranking. And, if you don’t have the time, or just don’t know where to begin with preparing a submission, we can step in.
Contact us today to schedule a chat. Or, if you’d like more information on the legal directories process, take a look at the resources in our Directories Hub.
