The Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2025 has landed. Once again, it offers a global overview of the firms and individuals advising high net worth clients, as well as the trends shaping the private wealth market.
If your firm works with private clients, it’s simple. This guide matters. It’s still one of the most influential resources for ultra-high-net-worth individuals, family offices and advisers looking for legal support.
So, what’s new this year? Let’s start by looking at the numbers.
By the numbers
The 2025 guide ranks:
- 4,500+ lawyers and 2,200+ departments worldwide
- Covers 55+ jurisdictions on six continents
- Includes UK-wide and London rankings, plus in-depth regional coverage
- Has a range of US state-level tables and international expertise
It’s a useful indication of where private client work is thriving, and who’s leading the field.
New for 2025: Landed Estates
For the first time, Landed Estates has been introduced as a standalone category. It’s a nod to the complex and often multi-generational advice these clients require, from succession planning to tax and heritage issues.
Stand-out firms
A few headlines from this year’s results:
- Withers LLP continues to dominate globally, securing rankings across private wealth law, disputes, art & cultural property, family offices, landed estates, immigration and reputation management.
- Stewarts had a record year, with 20 lawyers ranked and Band 1 retained in Divorce & Family and Trust & Probate Litigation, making it one of the largest groups of family lawyers recognised for UHNW work.
- B P Collins celebrated new family team rankings while retaining Band 1 for private wealth disputes and high-value residential property.
- Across the Atlantic, firms such as Day Pitney and Lathrop GPM made significant gains, showing that regional firms with deep private wealth expertise can punch above their weight.
Trends and takeaways
The research this year highlights some familiar themes, and a few new ones.
- Cross-border capability. The strongest rankings often reflect firms with a true international reach. HNW clients rarely confine their lives (or their assets) to one jurisdiction.
- Client service still counts. Researchers place considerable weight on the quality of feedback from clients and intermediaries. Consistent excellence in client care and responsiveness is a deciding factor.
- New practice areas mean new opportunities. If you’re active in a niche such as landed estates or art and cultural property, now’s the time to put your hand up.
- Preparation makes a difference. Many of this year’s new or improved rankings are due to strong submissions and proactive referee management.
What next for firms looking to be ranked?
If you’re not yet ranked (or want to improve your current rankings) the guide gives clear signals about where to focus:
- Look at your categories. Are you submitting in the right places, or missing opportunities like landed estates?
- Referees matter. Choose clients and intermediaries who will take the time to provide detailed, credible feedback.
- Show your impact. Matter summaries should highlight strategic, complex and significant work, not just day-to-day delivery.
- Plan ahead. Don’t leave submissions until the last minute. Building a strong narrative takes time.
The 2025 Chambers High Net Worth Guide reflects a market that’s increasingly global, specialised and client-focused. Recognition isn’t a given, but with the right strategy, it’s absolutely achievable.
If you’d like to talk about how to strengthen your next HNW submission (or to sense-check your approach), we can help.
Contact us today to schedule a chat. Or, if you’d like more information on the legal directories process in general, take a look at the resources in our Directories Hub.
If you’re struggling with your rankings in general and would like to gain some insight into what’s working (and what isn’t), take a look at our Directories Rankings Strategy. It’s been designed to tackle the common issues law firms and chambers like yours face: lower rankings than you deserve, unranked key individuals, categories that don’t reflect the field as you know it, and competitors outshining you.
