The top law firms in Australia have made the legal profession stronger than ever. Australia has seen a massive 57% increase in its solicitors since 2011. These law firms have not just generated more revenue but also expanded based on their expertise in the market. If you want to know about the best law firms in Australia, then this blog is for you.

Also Read: Biggest Scandals of All Time

List of Top 9 Law Firms in Australia

Here is the list of the top law firms in Australia:

1. Clayton Utz
2. MinterEllison
3. King & Wood Mallesons
4. Ashurst
5. Corrs Chambers Westgarth
6. DLA Piper
7. Herbert Smith Freehills
8. Norton Rose Fulbright
9. Allens

1) Clayton Utz

One of Australia’s top law firms, Clayton Utz is well-known for its exceptional legal knowledge and steadfast dedication to customer care. With offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Canberra, and other cities, Clayton Utz is one of Australia’s oldest and largest law companies established in 1833. The firm represents powerful corporations, governmental entities, and wealthy people in complex and well-publicized cases.

For its work in mergers and acquisitions, corporate law, and litigation, Clayton Utz is well-known. The company is well-known in the energy and resource, banking and finance, building, and healthcare industries. It is also renowned for being a pioneer in pro bono work, giving more than 60,000 hours a year to community legal services.

The firm has won various awards, such as “Law Firm of the Year” at the Australasian Law Awards and “Australian Law Firm of the Year” by Chambers Asia-Pacific. Also well-known for its diversity and inclusion programs, Clayton Utz routinely receives good marks in indices measuring workplace equality. Having more than 170 partners and 1,200 legal experts on staff, Clayton Utz is a major player in the Australian legal market.

2) MinterEllison

One of the top legal practices in Australia, MinterEllison has the most attorneys per capita in the Asia-Pacific area. With offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth, and Adelaide as well as overseas operations in Asia and the UK, MinterEllison was founded in 1827 and has a long and illustrious history. The firm provides a broad variety of legal services, with a focus on real estate, banking and finance, corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, and dispute resolution.

MinterEllison provides advice on some of the biggest and most complicated projects in the area and is well-known for its knowledge of the infrastructure and construction industries. The company frequently works with clients in developing industries and places a high priority on innovation and technology.

The firm has won multiple accolades, one of which being the Financial Times Asia-Pacific Innovative Lawyers Awards’ “Most Innovative Law Firm” title. Also, MinterEllison is acknowledged for its dedication to CSR, making a substantial pro bono and community initiative contribution. MinterEllison, which has more than 2,200 workers and 200 partners, is renowned for its client-centric approach and innovative legal solutions. It is still a major player in the Australian legal industry.

Also Read: Top Law Firms in Washington DC

3) King & Wood Mallesons

Global legal firm King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) has strong ties to Australia and a significant presence in the Asia-Pacific area. One of the first law firms to genuinely bridge the East-West divide was formed in 2012 when Mallesons Stephen Jaques in Australia and King & Wood in China merged. The company has offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Canberra, and 28 other locations across the globe.

KWM is renowned for its proficiency in the areas of corporate law, finance and banking, mergers and acquisitions, and dispute resolution. With its handling of some of the biggest transactions and legal cases in the Asia-Pacific region, it enjoys a commanding position in the market. 

The company works with a wide range of clients, including government agencies, financial institutions, and large enterprises, especially in the energy, infrastructure, and technology sectors. Among the many honors bestowed on KWM is the Chambers Asia-Pacific title of “Law Firm of the Year” in Australia. The company is renowned for its inventiveness as well, emphasizing data-driven solutions and legal technology. King & Wood Mallesons is a worldwide legal powerhouse with more than 500 partners and 2,700 attorneys, renowned for its cross-border expertise and in-depth knowledge of the Asian market.

4) Ashurst

Ashurst was founded in London in 1822 and is a prominent international legal company with strong ties to Australia. In 2013, the firm united with one of the most reputable legal practices in Australia, Blake Dawson, to strengthen its position in the Asia-Pacific area. 26 offices are home to Ashurst’s operations in 16 countries, including key Australian cities such as Canberra, Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

In the fields of corporate law, banking and finance, mergers and acquisitions, and dispute resolution, Ashurst is widely recognized for its proficiency. The company routinely provides advice on complicated legal challenges and high-profile deals. It is especially strong in the infrastructure, energy, resources, and technology industries. Government agencies, financial institutions, and large multinational enterprises are among Ashurst’s clientele.

The firm has won multiple accolades, including Chambers Global and the Legal 500’s designation as a top Asia-Pacific business. Ashurst is particularly well-known for its dedication to sustainability and innovation; it frequently sets the standard for efforts in green finance and legal technology. The company can offer clients smooth cross-border legal services because of its global network and in-depth knowledge of the local market. Ashurst, a global legal giant with more than 400 partners and 1,600 attorneys, is renowned for its strategic counsel, industry expertise, and dedication to quality.

Also Read: Top Law Firms in New Jersey

5) Corrs Chambers Westgarth

With a rich history that dates back to 1841, Corrs Chambers Westgarth is one of Australia’s most respected independent law companies. With offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth, the business has excellent international relationships with top law firms worldwide. Renowned for its creative methods, Corrs Chambers Westgarth provides elite legal services to a broad spectrum of clients, including government agencies, large enterprises, and affluent people.

Corporate law, mergers & acquisitions, banking and finance, real estate, dispute resolution, and intellectual property are just a few of the practice areas in which the firm specializes. Particularly well-known for its work in the energy and resources, infrastructure, technology, and healthcare industries is Corrs Chambers Westgarth.

The business is known as a leader in the Australian legal industry because of its capacity to manage intricate, well-known cases. In addition to being named “Australian Law Firm of the Year” by Chambers Asia-Pacific and “Law Firm of the Year” at the Australasian Law Awards, Corrs Chambers Westgarth has won many honors. The company is renowned for its pro bono work, corporate social responsibility, and dedication to diversity and inclusion. Each year, thousands of hours are donated to community projects by the firm.

With a team of over 600 lawyers, Corrs Chambers Westgarth is known for its client-focused approach, strategic advice, and deep industry knowledge, making it a key player in the Australian legal landscape.

6) DLA Piper

One of the biggest and most well-known legal companies in the world, DLA Piper has a significant presence in Australia. To create a genuinely global law practice, three firms, US-based Piper Rudnick, UK-based DLA, and Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich, merged to form the firm in 2005. With offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific, DLA Piper is present in more than 40 countries worldwide.

Offering comprehensive legal services in practice areas like corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, banking and finance, real estate, intellectual property, and dispute resolution, DLA Piper is renowned for its broad knowledge. 

Due to its extensive global reach, the company is a top option for large firms and multinational corporations handling complex cross-border transactions and legal concerns. DLA Piper enjoys a solid reputation in Australia in industries like technology, infrastructure, healthcare, and energy and resources.

Among the many honors bestowed upon the firm are rankings as a premier legal firm by Chambers Global and the Legal 500. Also, DLA Piper is acknowledged for its dedication to pro bono work, diversity, and inclusion; it often funds social justice campaigns and community service projects.

DLA Piper is a major player in the legal sector, with over 4,500 attorneys worldwide and a significant presence in Australia. The firm is renowned for its creative problem-solving, global outlook, and capacity to deliver seamless legal services across jurisdictions.

Also Read: Best Lawyers in Las Vegas

7) Herbert Smith Freehills

One of the top legal firms in the world, Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) has a significant presence in Australia and a global network that spans the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. The company was established in 2012 when Australia’s Freehills and the UK’s Herbert Smith merged, forming a formidable combination with extensive knowledge in both areas. HSF is a major player in the Australian legal sector, with offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth.

For its proficiency in corporate law, infrastructure projects, mergers and acquisitions, and dispute resolution, Herbert Smith Freehills is well-known. The firm works with a broad spectrum of clients, including government agencies, big businesses, and financial institutions, especially in the areas of technology, banking and finance, and energy and resources. 

HSF is renowned for its potent arbitration and litigation skills, frequently managing complicated, high-stakes disputes spanning several jurisdictions. The firm has won various accolades, including being listed by Chambers Global and the Legal 500 as a Band 1 firm in several practice areas. In addition, Herbert Smith Freehills is renowned for its dedication to innovation, having started several projects in the fields of client service and legal technology. The company is well known for its diversity and inclusion initiatives, and HSF is frequently recognized as a pioneer in workplace equity.

Herbert Smith Freehills is a premier legal firm with more than 1,600 attorneys worldwide, including more than 200 partners in Australia. The firm is renowned for its ability to achieve outcomes on a global scale, industry expertise, and strategic guidance.

8) Norton Rose Fulbright

Renowned for its broad range of legal services and global influence, Norton Rose Fulbright is a multinational law company with a substantial presence in Australia. The company was founded in 2013 when Fulbright & Jaworski and Norton Rose merged, forming one of the biggest legal companies globally. With offices in Australia, Norton Rose Fulbright has operations in more than 50 locations across the globe, including Canberra, Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

The company is well-known for its proficiency in important practice areas, including intellectual property, corporate law, banking and finance, mergers and acquisitions, and dispute resolution. Energy, infrastructure, financial services, technology, and healthcare are among the industries where it excels. 

Many international firms, governmental organizations, and financial institutions choose Norton Rose Fulbright as their legal counsel, particularly when it comes to managing intricate cross-border transactions and regulatory matters.

Norton Rose Fulbright has won multiple awards, including the highest rankings from the Legal 500 and Chambers Global. The company is also well-known for its dedication to corporate social responsibility, diversity, and inclusion. It has been heavily engaged in pro bono work in Australia, donating thousands of hours a year to different community projects.

Norton Rose Fulbright is a major legal firm with more than 3,700 attorneys worldwide, including more than 600 in Australia. The company is renowned for its capacity to offer seamless legal services across borders and for having a thorough awareness of the sectors in which its clients are involved.

Also Read: Cybersecurity for Law Firms

9) Allens

One of Australia’s leading law companies, Allens has a solid reputation in the legal sector and a notable past. Since its founding in 1822, the company has developed into a major force in both the Australian and global legal sectors. With its affiliation with Linklaters, Allens has a network of associated companies throughout Asia, and it operates out of offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth.

Corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, banking and finance, real estate, dispute resolution, and intellectual property are just a few of the many legal services that Allens provides. The company is especially well-known for its technology, infrastructure, energy, and resource knowledge. Allens is well known for managing intricate, well-publicized cases and offering financial firms and governmental organizations strategic guidance.

Numerous honors have been bestowed upon the business, including top rankings for its diverse practice areas from Chambers Global and the Legal 500. Also, Allens is renowned for its dedication to client service and innovation, regularly setting the standard for legal technology and best practices in the sector. Furthermore, the business strongly prioritizes community involvement and pro bono work, making a substantial contribution to social justice programs.

With more than 800 attorneys on staff (100 of whom are partners) Allens is renowned for its client-centered strategy, extensive industry knowledge, and capacity to provide top-notch legal services both inside and outside of Australia.

Conclusion

This article listed the top law firms in Australia based on their expertise, contributions, and awards. These law firms have raised the standard of legal work in Australia. If you want a law firm to represent you or your business, then these firms can be the best options for you. Just make sure which firm suits you the best and get the best services. 

FAQs