Law Firm Rankings: 50 Leading Law Firms in Australia in 2025

The Australian legal landscape continues to evolve rapidly in 2025, with law firm rankings reflecting significant changes in client demands, technological adoption, and market dynamics. Australia’s leading law firms have demonstrated remarkable resilience and innovation, adapting to new regulatory frameworks while maintaining their positions as top-tier legal practices. This comprehensive analysis examines the 50 leading law firms in Australia for 2025, providing insights into their specializations, market presence, and competitive advantages.

Australian law firms have consistently ranked among the world’s most sophisticated legal practices, with several firms establishing global networks and international partnerships. The legal services market in Australia has seen unprecedented growth, driven by increased M&A activity, infrastructure development, and evolving regulatory requirements across multiple sectors. Corporate law firms in Australia continue to dominate the Asia-Pacific region, handling complex cross-border transactions and providing strategic counsel to multinational corporations.

The methodology for determining these law firm rankings encompasses multiple factors, including revenue performance, client satisfaction, peer recognition, practice area expertise, and innovation in legal service delivery. Top Australian law firms are evaluated based on their ability to handle complex matters, attract and retain talent, and adapt to changing market conditions. The rankings also consider factors such as pro bono contributions, diversity initiatives, and technological advancement in legal practice.

The Big Six: Australia’s Premier Law Firms

Traditional Powerhouses Leading the Market

The “Big Six” Australian law firms have historically dominated the legal landscape, though recent mergers and international partnerships have transformed their structures. These premier law firms continue to set industry standards for legal excellence and client service.

King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) stands as the largest international commercial law firm based in the Asia-Pacific region, with 26 offices and over 3,000 legal professionals across Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and the United States. KWM is proud to maintain a leading position in the M&A league tables for the first half of 2025, demonstrating their continued dominance in corporate mergers and acquisitions.

Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) represents another cornerstone of the Australian legal market, formed through the merger of Australian firm Freehills with UK-based Herbert Smith. The standout Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer practice is renowned for its consistent involvement in many of the most prominent and challenging transactions, particularly in corporate M&A and private equity sectors.

Allens maintains its position as one of the top Australian law firms for banking and finance, with strong regional presence across Asia-Pacific. This Sydney-based and founded law firm operates not only in Australia, but also in other regions of Asia-Pacific such as Vietnam, Papua New Guinea, and Singapore.

MinterEllison: Australia’s Largest Law Firm

MinterEllison holds the distinction of being considered the largest law firm in Australia based on lawyer count, with nearly 200 years of business history. MinterEllison, one of the Big Six top Australian law firms, topped in the practice area of restructuring and insolvency, and ranked high in other practice areas. The firm’s multinational presence extends across Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and the UK.

Clayton Utz and Ashurst: Completing the Big Six

Clayton Utz, established in 1833, represents one of Australia’s oldest commercial law firms. Clayton Utz – one of the Big Six top Australian law firms – ranks high in the practice areas of capital markets, whether it be in debt, equity, and structured finance and securitisation. The firm has grown to approximately 200 partners across six Australian offices.

Ashurst Australia, formerly Blake Dawson, became part of the international Ashurst network following acquisition by the London-based firm. Ashurst Australia is one of the branches of Ashurst LLP, an international law firm founded in London, maintaining strong positions in capital markets and infrastructure development.

Top-Tier National Law Firms

Gilbert + Tobin: Transaction and Dispute Specialists

Gilbert + Tobin has established itself as a leading transactions, regulatory and disputes firm, employing over 700 people since its establishment in 1998. Gilbert + Tobin provides a greatly respected national offering that is noted for combining a breadth of capability with lean, efficient staffing and the ready provision of expertise precisely suited to the matter in hand. The firm is particularly renowned for handling complex M&A deals and providing innovative legal solutions.

Corrs Chambers Westgarth: Full-Service Excellence

Corrs Chambers Westgarth provides comprehensive legal services across major transactions, projects, and significant disputes. The firm offers strategic advice on clients’ most challenging issues and maintains a strong presence in the Australian legal market.

Norton Rose Fulbright: Global Reach

Norton Rose Fulbright Australia forms part of the global Norton Rose Fulbright network, providing full-scope legal services to multinational corporations and financial institutions. The firm is recognized for its expertise in energy, infrastructure, technology, and financial services sectors.

International Firms with Strong Australian Presence

Baker McKenzie: Cross-Border Expertise

Baker McKenzie fields an enviable cross-border capability in Australia, frequently attracting blue-chip multinationals in addition to leading Australian public and private sector entities. The firm is particularly proficient in energy, technology, and healthcare sectors.

DLA Piper: Technology and Private Equity Focus

DLA Piper Australia maintains a respected practice well-positioned for international clientele. The team is valued for its depth of resources and for its venture capital expertise, particularly within the technology sector and disruptive industries.

A&O Shearman: Multi-Jurisdictional Transactions

A&O Shearman (formerly Allen & Overy) maintains a well-established practice with talent for handling complex cross-border transactions, integrating domestic expertise with substantial regional and global networks.

Specialized and Boutique Law Firms

Johnson Winter Slattery: Litigation Specialists

Johnson Winter Slattery has carved out a strong niche in commercial litigation and disputes, consistently ranking among the top litigation firms in Australia across multiple practice areas.

Arnold Bloch Leibler: Corporate and Private Client Services

Arnold Bloch Leibler represents a leading independent firm known for its expertise in corporate law, private client services, and complex commercial transactions.

HWL Ebsworth: National Commercial Practice

HWL Ebsworth operates as a national commercial law firm with over 1,100 staff and 245 partners. The firm holds over 1100 staff and 245 partners and is well established in the Australian law sector, ranking as one of Australia’s largest legal partnerships.

Rankings by Practice Area Excellence

Corporate and M&A Leaders

The corporate and M&A rankings for 2025 show continued dominance by the Big Six firms, with Gilbert + Tobin, Herbert Smith Freehills, and King & Wood Mallesons leading in major transaction work. The firm handles many of the most complex and significant M&A and takeover deals and is acclaimed for combining pragmatism with a flair for novel solutions.

Intellectual Property Powerhouses

Intellectual property law rankings demonstrate strong competition among leading firms. Gilbert + Tobin is notable for its breadth of skills, advising on transactional and contentious copyright, design, patent and trade mark issues, while Herbert Smith Freehills maintains pre-eminence in patent litigation.

Litigation Excellence

Commercial litigation rankings showcase the depth of Australian legal expertise, with firms like Clayton Utz, Corrs Chambers Westgarth, and Johnson Winter Slattery leading in dispute resolution services.

Best Law Firms Australia 2025 Recognition

National Tier Rankings

The Best Law Firms – Australia awards, announced on May 29, 2025, rank only the very best – 2% of firms in the market are awarded for professional excellence. This makes these awards the most exclusive and prestigious in the country.

Addisons achieved significant recognition in the 2025 Best Law Firms rankings, recognised amongst the top law firms in Best Lawyers 2026 edition of Best Law Firms™ across 14 areas, including Tier 1 rankings in Corporate Law, Defamation and Media Law, and Litigation.

Piper Alderman also secured strong rankings, ranked in National Tier 2 for three practice areas, namely Commercial Law and Corporate Law, and in National Tier 3 for six practice areas.

Chambers and Partners Recognition

The Chambers and Partners rankings continue to provide authoritative assessments of leading Australian law firms across multiple practice areas, with consistent recognition for the major national and international firms.

Regional and Specialist Firms Making Their Mark

Thomson Geer: Growing National Presence

Thomson Geer has expanded significantly through strategic acquisitions. Global law firm Ashurst and major Australian law firm Thomson Geer announce that Ashurst’s Canberra office is moving to Thomson Geer, strengthening its Commonwealth Government practice capabilities.

Hall & Wilcox: Independent Excellence

Hall & Wilcox demonstrates the strength of independent Australian firms, ranked in 43 practice areas in the 2025 Best Law Firms in Australia guide. The firm employs over 1,300 people including 145+ partners across eight offices.

Sparke Helmore: Established Regional Practice

Sparke Helmore has operated since 1882, growing to nine offices across Australia with over 950 employees, focusing on corporate and commercial, commercial insurance, and government work.

Technology and Innovation in Legal Practice

AI Adoption Among Leading Firms

Generative AI in legal practice has become a strategic differentiator among top Australian law firms. Some of Australia’s most prominent law firms, including Gilbert + Tobin, Ashurst, Baker McKenzie, MinterEllison, Herbert Smith Freehills, Clayton Utz and Allens, have openly embraced AI as a strategic tool.

MinterEllison’s Content Generator produces draft legal content, while King & Wood Mallesons utilizes its in-house “KWM Chat” application as a productivity enhancement tool. These innovations demonstrate how leading law firms are leveraging technology to improve efficiency and client service.

Market Trends and Future Outlook

Revenue Growth and Market Dynamics

The Australian legal services market continues to experience robust growth, driven by increased corporate activity, infrastructure investment, and regulatory compliance requirements. Law firm revenue has grown substantially across all major practice areas.

Workplace Culture and Graduate Attraction

Graduate recruitment remains highly competitive among top-tier law firms. GradAustralia published results of its Top 100 workplaces for graduates, and in its fifth year, eight of Australia’s BigLaw firms made the list, including Allens, Herbert Smith Freehills, MinterEllison, and Clayton Utz.

Complete Rankings: Top 50 Law Firms in Australia 2025

Tier 1: The Big Six and Elite Practices

1. King & Wood Mallesons – Leading Asia-Pacific international firm
2. Herbert Smith Freehills – Premier corporate and finance practice
3. Allens – Top banking and corporate firm with Linklaters association
4. MinterEllison – Australia’s largest law firm by lawyer count
5. Clayton Utz – Established commercial law leader
6. Ashurst Australia – International firm with strong local presence

Tier 2: Major National and International Firms

7. Gilbert + Tobin – Leading transactions and disputes firm
8. Corrs Chambers Westgarth – Full-service national practice
9. Baker McKenzie – Global firm with strong cross-border capabilities
10. DLA Piper Australia – Technology and venture capital expertise
11. A&O Shearman – Premier international practice
12. Norton Rose Fulbright – Global full-service firm
13. Johnson Winter Slattery – Litigation and disputes specialists
14. Arnold Bloch Leibler – Independent corporate specialists

Tier 3: Established National Practices

15. HWL Ebsworth – Major national commercial firm
16. Clifford Chance – Global elite practice
17. Jones Day – International corporate firm
18. Thomson Geer – Growing national practice
19. Hall & Wilcox – Leading independent firm
20. Maddocks – Established full-service practice
21. Gadens – National commercial firm
22. Sparke Helmore – Regional and commercial specialist
23. McCullough Robertson – Queensland-based national firm
24. Hamilton Locke – Corporate and commercial specialists

Tier 4: Specialist and Regional Leaders

25. Addisons – Technology and corporate boutique
26. Piper Alderman – Multi-jurisdictional practice
27. Mills Oakley – National commercial firm
28. Colin Biggers & Paisley – Insurance and commercial specialists
29. K&L Gates – International technology firm
30. Bird & Bird – Technology and IP specialists
31. Lander & Rogers – Victorian-based commercial firm
32. Russell Kennedy – Multi-jurisdictional practice
33. Squire Patton Boggs – Global full-service firm
34. Dentons – Global legal practice
35. Banki Haddock Fiora – IP and technology specialists

Tier 5: Emerging and Specialty Practices

36. Davies Collison Cave – IP specialists
37. Griffith Hack – Patent and IP firm
38. Spruson & Ferguson – IP and technology lawyers
39. Simpsons Solicitors – IP specialists
40. Pearce IP – Intellectual property boutique
41. Talbot Sayer – Corporate and commercial specialists
42. Ironbridge Legal – Commercial litigation boutique
43. Nyman Gibson Miralis – Criminal and regulatory specialists
44. Augustine & Co – Immigration specialists
45. Quinn Emanuel – International litigation specialists

Tier 6: Specialized Practices

46. Banton Group – Litigation specialists
47. Slater and Gordon – Personal injury and class actions
48. Go To Court – Family law specialists
49. Migration Agent Adelaide – Immigration services
50. Heathfield Grosvenor – Corporate and finance boutique

Key Performance Indicators and Market Analysis

Revenue Performance Leaders

Here are the top six Australian law firms based on revenue, with the Big Six firms continuing to dominate the market in terms of financial performance and market share.

Client Satisfaction and Service Excellence

Client satisfaction rankings show strong performance across multiple firms, with emphasis on innovation, responsiveness, and value delivery becoming increasingly important differentiators in the competitive Australian legal market.

Conclusion

The 2025 law firm rankings reveal a dynamic and evolving Australian legal landscape characterized by international expansion, technological innovation, and increased specialization. Leading Australian law firms continue to demonstrate excellence across multiple practice areas while adapting to changing client needs and market conditions.

The Big Six law firms maintain their dominant positions while facing increased competition from specialized boutiques and international practices. Success in the modern Australian legal market requires not only technical expertise but also innovation in service delivery, strong client relationships, and adaptability to technological change.

Australian law firms are well-positioned for continued growth, with strong fundamentals in corporate law, litigation, intellectual property, and emerging practice areas. The rankings demonstrate the depth and quality of legal expertise available in Australia, reinforcing the country’s position as a leading legal jurisdiction in the Asia-Pacific region.

For businesses and individuals seeking legal services, these rankings provide valuable insights into firm capabilities, specializations, and market positioning. The 50 leading law firms profiled represent the pinnacle of legal excellence in Australia, each bringing unique strengths and expertise to serve their clients’ diverse needs.