In 2017, the three law firms Cameron McKenna, Nabarro, and Olswang came together in the largest merger in legal history to create CMS.

After the 2017 transatlantic merger between Eversheds LLP, founded in 1982, and US based Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP, Eversheds Sutherland continues on a steep upward trajectory.

Born in Los Angeles, Latham and Watkins stands in a strong place in the legal industry as the second highest grossing law firm in the world. The firm has maximised its global reach with 29 offices across 14 different countries and a strong headcount of 3,000 lawyers.

In 2010, US firm Hogan & Hartson merged with UK firm Lovells to create one of the world’s largest transatlantic firms, Hogan Lovells. While the firm has only been operating for a decade, its excellent work has made it one of the best combinations of scale and quality outside the magic circle, and a member of the emerging global elite.

Irwin Mitchell was originally founded in 1912 in Sheffield. Since then, the firm has scaled up to 15 offices across the UK making Irwin Mitchell the largest full-service law firm in the UK. Consequently, Irwin Mitchell takes on 50 trainees across 11 of its offices, and uniquely, allows them to either seek qualification within their Business Legal Services stream or Personal Legal Services stream. Traditionally, the firm is known as the leading personal injury and medical negligence practice in the UK. Nevertheless, it also prides itself as a top-tier firm in litigation which offers a wide range of commercial services and expertise across various sectors. Irwin Mitchell is innovative, future focused and open-minded.

An oldie but a goldie, the firm traces its roots back to the very first public record of solicitors in the UK on the Law List. After being founded in 1775 as Booth & Co, numerous amalgamations finally led to the formation of Addleshaw Goddard (AG) in 2003, combining Addleshaw Booth & Co and Theodore Goddard. Since then, the firm has expanded nationally and internationally, whilst consistently maintaining its high-quality legal service with loyal clients. The firm has 12 offices, as well as a formal alliance in Tokyo. However, through its 1,200 lawyers and over 250 partners, AG delivers its services globally, having advised clients in 94 different countries. AG takes on 50 UK trainees per year, with seat options across the four divisions of Corporate & Commercial, Litigation, Finance & Projects and Real Estate. Although the firm is a leader across a broad range of commercial specialisms, it holds particular strength in Banking and Finance, Construction, Corporate/M&A, Employment, Information Technology and Intellectual Property, ranking in Band 1 for these in Chambers and Partners. The firm can be characterised in 3 words: pioneering, innovative and international.