Top 100 Law Firms in Australia: Complete Rankings and Analysis Guide

Australia’s legal landscape is dominated by some of the most prestigious and successful law firms globally, collectively representing billions in annual revenue and thousands of legal professionals. The Australian legal market has evolved significantly over the past decade, with traditional categorizations like the “Big Six” expanding to encompass a broader spectrum of top-tier law firms Australia that compete on both domestic and international stages.

This comprehensive guide explores the top 100 law firms Australia, providing detailed insights into their specialties, revenue figures, and market positioning. Whether you’re seeking legal representation, considering career opportunities, or researching the Australian legal industry, this ranking offers essential information about the country’s most influential legal practices.

The best law firms Australia are characterized by their exceptional legal expertise, substantial revenue generation, and ability to handle complex commercial transactions worth billions of dollars. According to industry data, the top Australian law firms generate revenues ranging from $316 million to over $3.1 billion annually, making them significant players in the global legal services market.

Our analysis covers everything from Big Six law firms to emerging boutique law firms Australia, mid-tier firms, and specialized practices across major Australian cities including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide. Understanding this hierarchy is crucial for clients seeking appropriate legal counsel and legal professionals planning their careers in Australia’s competitive legal environment.

Understanding Australia’s Law Firm Hierarchy

The Evolution Beyond the Big Six

The traditional “Big Six” law firms Australia concept has evolved considerably since its inception in the 1980s. Originally referring to the six largest Australian law firms by revenue and lawyer headcount, the term became less applicable after 2012 when four of these firms merged or formed associations with international firms. Today, the market is more accurately described using terms like “top-tier law firms” or “Big Eight” to reflect the expanded elite tier.

The Big Six law firms traditionally included:

• Allens (formerly Allens Arthur Robinson)
• Ashurst (formerly Blake Dawson)
• Clayton Utz
• Herbert Smith Freehills (formerly Freehills)
• King & Wood Mallesons (formerly Mallesons Stephen Jaques)
• MinterEllison

These firms are recognized for their reputation of excellence and presence at the center of Australia’s most significant commercial dealings. However, the landscape now includes additional major players that compete at the same level.

Current Tier Classifications

Top-Tier Firms: These prestigious firms offer highly competitive clerkship and graduate programs, typically hiring graduates only through their clerkship programs rather than open market recruitment. They handle the most complex and high-value legal matters in Australia.

Upper Mid-Tier Firms: These firms often compete with top-tier firms in specific practice areas and include notable names like Corrs Chambers Westgarth and Gilbert + Tobin.

International Mid-Tier Firms: Global firms with significant Australian operations, including Norton Rose Fulbright, Allen & Overy, and Baker McKenzie.

National Mid-Tier Firms: Strong domestic firms with nationwide presence, serving both corporate and government clients.

Boutique Firms: Specialized practices that excel in particular areas of law, often competing with larger firms in their areas of expertise.

Top-Tier Law Firms: The Elite Eight

1. MinterEllison

MinterEllison ranks as one of the largest law firms in Australia based on lawyer count and is considered among the oldest in the country, with nearly 200 years of business history. The firm has established a multinational presence with offices in New Zealand, Asia, Africa, Canada, the US, UK, and the Middle East.

Key Statistics:

• Gross Revenue: $3.1 billion
• Offices: Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney
• Specialties: Banking and finance, energy and resources, infrastructure, technology

Notable achievements include successfully defending Calidad Pty Ltd against patent infringement claims by Seiko Epson Corporation and defending a criminal cartel action involving a $2.5 billion ANZ institutional share placement.

2. Norton Rose Fulbright (NRF) Australia

NRF established its Australian office in 2009 through the acquisition of Deacons Australia and ranks highly across most practice areas including banking and financing, capital markets, and mergers & acquisitions.

Key Statistics:

• Gross Revenue: $1.46 billion
• Offices: Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney
• Specialties: Banking, capital markets, construction, energy, government, infrastructure

Recent major transactions include advising UniSuper on a $260 million acquisition and Squadron Energy on wind farm development projects.

3. Allen & Overy Australia

Allen & Overy was the first global law firm to commence operations in Australia, comprising 25 hand-selected, top-tier partners with an average of 20 years’ experience.

Key Statistics:

• Gross Revenue: $2.55 billion
• Offices: Sydney and Perth
• Specialties: Antitrust and competition, banking and finance, corporate law, litigation

The firm has handled major transactions including EG Group’s $1.725 billion acquisition of Woolworths Petrol Business.

4. Herbert Smith Freehills

Herbert Smith Freehills emerged from the merger of Australian firm Freehills and UK-based Herbert Smith, establishing itself as a leader in litigation and mergers & acquisitions. The firm is recognized globally for its expertise in banking, capital markets, and project development.

Practice Areas: Banking, capital markets, project development, litigation Recognition: Tier 1 ranking in Litigation and Corporate Law

5. King & Wood Mallesons

King & Wood Mallesons formed after the 2012 merger of King & Wood PRC Lawyers and Mallesons Stephen Jaques, ranking highly in capital markets, M&A, energy project development, and project finance.

Notable transactions include advising on Sydney Airport’s $1.4 billion Sustainability Linked Loan and Square Inc’s $39 billion acquisition of Afterpay Ltd.

6. Ashurst

Ashurst is a global law firm with a prestigious international client base spanning corporates, financial institutions and governments. The firm completed a full financial merger with Ashurst LLP ahead of schedule, strengthening its international capabilities.

7. Clayton Utz

Clayton Utz, one of the oldest law firms in Australia, ranks highly in capital markets including debt, equity, structured finance and securitization. Based in Sydney, the firm has grown to approximately 200 partners across six Australian offices.

Key Statistics:

• Gross Revenue: $316,138,500
• Offices: Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney
• Specialties: Banking, energy, infrastructure, mining, technology, government

8. Allens

Allens is an international law firm with a proud heritage of shaping the future for clients, operating in association with Magic Circle firm Linklaters. The firm changed its name from Allens Arthur Robinson in 2012 and has maintained its position as a leading Australian practice.

Upper Mid-Tier and Specialist Firms

Corrs Chambers Westgarth

Corrs Chambers Westgarth provides exceptional legal services across major transactions, projects and significant disputes, offering strategic advice on clients’ most challenging issues. The firm is recognized for its expertise in complex commercial matters.

Gilbert + Tobin

Gilbert + Tobin is recognized as a leading transactions, regulatory and disputes law firm, handling some of Australia’s most complex transactions and advising acquirers, targets and financiers. The firm is trusted by clients on sensitive regulatory investigations, litigation and Royal Commissions.

Thomson Geer

Thomson Geer is one of Australia’s largest independent corporate law firms, trusted by companies, governments and institutions for their commercial and legal interests. The firm has been expanding through strategic acquisitions, including the recent addition of Ashurst’s Canberra office, renowned for Commonwealth Government practice.

International Firms with Australian Operations

Baker McKenzie

Baker McKenzie provides integrated client solutions with seamless advice underpinned by deep practice expertise, sector knowledge, and first-rate local market knowledge. The firm maintains a significant presence across multiple Australian cities.

Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance is one of the world’s largest law firms with depth and range of resources across five continents, establishing its Australia office in 2011 through merging with domestic firms.

DLA Piper

DLA Piper is a global law firm capable of handling the most important legal needs of clients worldwide, with offices throughout the Americas, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific.

National and Regional Firms

HWL Ebsworth

HWL Ebsworth offers exceptional quality legal advice to commercial and government clients from offices in every Australian State and Territory, promoting talent based solely on merit.

Mills Oakley

Mills Oakley is one of Australia’s oldest law firms at 150 years old, deliberately choosing to remain entirely Australian-focused rather than expanding internationally. This domestic focus provides clients with specialized local expertise.

Maddocks

Maddocks reported double-digit revenue growth and is known for their collaborative approach, high service standards, and being accessible, transparent and responsive to clients’ commercial needs.

Boutique and Specialized Firms

Fast-Growing Firms

Australia’s fastest-growing law firms for 2024 have demonstrated impressive resilience with significant increases in both revenue and employee numbers. The 21 winning firms include:

• Rafton Family Lawyers: 53% revenue increase, 37.5% growth in fee-earning staff
• Balance Family Law
• BDC Law
• Chamberlains Law Firm
• Hamilton Locke
• Kennedys
• LegalVision
• Meridian Lawyers
• Piper Alderman

Specialized Practice Areas

Boutique Litigation Firms: Ironbridge Legal is a highly respected, award-winning boutique firm specializing in commercial litigation and insolvency with strong presence in Sydney and Melbourne.

Technology and IP Specialists: Several firms focus exclusively on intellectual property, technology law, and digital assets, serving the growing technology sector.

Family Law Specialists: Dedicated family law practices like Rafton Family Lawyers have shown exceptional growth by focusing on specialized services including arbitration and mediation.

Rankings and Recognition Systems

Professional Recognition

The Best Lawyers in Australia awards represent the most exclusive rankings in the country, with only 2% of firms in the market awarded for professional excellence. The 2026 Best Law Firms – Australia rankings recognize 507 firms across multiple practice areas and jurisdictions.

Key Ranking Publications

Legal 500: Provides comprehensive rankings across practice areas and jurisdictions IFLR1000: Focuses on financial and corporate law rankings Chambers and Partners: Offers detailed analysis of law firm capabilities Best Lawyers: Awards firms based on peer review and client feedback

Award Categories

The 2024 awards recognized 4,472 lawyers across nine metropolitan areas, with 305 lawyers receiving “Lawyer of the Year” awards and 525 lawyers recognized in the “Ones to Watch” category for early-career excellence.

Market Trends and Industry Developments

Revenue Growth and Market Evolution

According to the 2022 National Profile of Solicitors by the Law Society of NSW, there are 90,329 solicitors throughout Australia, representing a 57% increase since 2011. Growth across sectors includes:

• Government legal sector: +108% growth
• Corporate legal sector: +104% growth
• Private practice: +40% growth

Technology Integration

National law firm McCabes has partnered with LexisNexis to adopt AI-powered legal platform Lexis+AI, providing advanced research and case analysis capabilities. This represents a broader trend toward legal technology adoption across the industry.

Gender Diversity Progress

Women now occupy 31% of equity-partner positions in Australian law firms, though they are still more likely to hold lower-paying roles such as salaried partners and special counsel positions.

Billing Flexibility

87% of firms now offer clients multiple billing options, reflecting increased flexibility in legal service delivery.

Choosing the Right Law Firm

For Corporate Clients

Top-Tier Considerations: For complex commercial transactions, mergers and acquisitions, or regulatory matters, the Big Six and other top-tier firms offer unparalleled expertise and resources.

Specialized Needs: Many boutique firms provide exceptional service in specialized areas, often competing effectively with larger firms while offering more personalized attention.

For Individual Clients

Regional Firms: National and regional firms often provide excellent value for routine legal matters with strong local market knowledge.

Specialized Practices: Family law, personal injury, and other specialized areas may be best served by dedicated boutique practices.

Career Considerations

Clerkship Programs: Top-tier firms generally only hire graduates through their clerkship programs, making these competitive positions essential for entry into elite practices.

Practice Area Focus: Consider firms’ specific strengths in your areas of interest, as even smaller firms may lead in particular specialties.

Future Outlook and Emerging Trends

The Australian legal market continues to evolve with several key trends shaping the industry:

International Integration: Continued partnerships and mergers with global firms expand service capabilities and geographic reach.

Technology Adoption: AI and legal technology integration is accelerating across all firm tiers.

Specialization Growth: Boutique firms focusing on emerging areas like cryptocurrency, climate law, and cybersecurity are gaining prominence.

Alternative Legal Services: New models of legal service delivery are challenging traditional firm structures.

Conclusion

Australia’s top 100 law firms represent a dynamic and diverse legal landscape spanning from global elite practices to specialized boutiques. The traditional Big Six law firms Australia continue to dominate major commercial transactions, but the market has expanded to include numerous highly capable mid-tier and boutique firms that compete effectively in specialized areas. With only 2% of firms receiving the highest professional recognition, the Australian legal market maintains exceptionally high standards. Whether seeking legal representation or career opportunities, understanding this hierarchy and each firm’s unique strengths is essential for making informed decisions. The continued evolution of the industry through technology adoption, international partnerships, and specialization ensures that Australia’s best law firms remain competitive on the global stage while serving the diverse needs of domestic clients across all sectors of the economy.