Akin Gump has come a long way since being set up by two former FBI agents in 1945. The Dallas-founded firm now boasts 20 offices, more than 900 lawyers, and works in more than 80 countries.

Founded in 1896, Simmons & Simmons (or “Simmons”) has evolved into a multinational law firm, driven by its focus on being a business partner for its clients.

Celebrating its 200th birthday this year, Ashurst has solidified itself within the international landscape as a “global mega firm”. The winner of Best Client Service Innovation at the Lawyer Awards 2021, it is clear that the firm can spearhead “top tier finance work” whilst fostering a genuinely friendly working culture.

Clyde & Co is a leading global law firm that operates in nine offices in the UK and 53 offices internationally, in areas such as Latin America, Africa, US and the Middle East.

With 15 offices spread about 5 countries, the American firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges (or Weil for short) is perhaps best known for representing Lehman Brothers during the 2008 financial crisis. The firm’s ability to adapt to the ever-changing business cycles has allowed its profits to soar 12% during the Coronavirus pandemic, largely from COVID-induced restructuring cases.

Following a merger between UK firm ​​Bond Dickinson and North Carolina firm Womble Carlyle in 2017, Womble Bond Dickinson has achieved a strong reputation on a regional and international level. With 8 offices across the UK and a whopping 19 offices located in smaller cities in the US, the two legacy firms have focused on regional growth through domestic mergers.

In spite of the pandemic, Kennedys is expanding its reach across the globe with new offices opening in San Francisco, Israel and Perth in the last year. Now with 43 offices in 24 countries, Kennedys has been able to expand due to its significant financial growth, with revenues increasing approximately 90% over the past five years.

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP) as we know it formed in 2018 after the merger of UK-based Berwin Leighton Paisner and US firm Bryan Cave. The Silver Circle firm currently has three UK offices (London, Manchester, and Southampton) on top of 31 overseas offices across 11 countries. Of 34 UK training contracts, 32 are offered in London, the other two in Manchester. The firm is divided into three main departments: Real Estate, Corporate and Financial Transactions, and Litigation and Investigations, with real estate being the firm’s main UK success. They are at the forefront of legal innovation and count the Crown Estate amongst their clients. BCLP is international, creative and supportive.

Slaughter and May is one of the leading Magic Circle law firms. Despite a small number of international offices - with only 3 in Hong Kong, Beijing, and Brussels abroad - it retains a strong international reputation and presence. Their lawyers are well-versed in over 40 different languages, and the firm boasts a carefully curated network of developing close working relationships with other leading law firms and companies from across the world.

Founded in 1875, Macfarlanes LLP has a rich history of acting on corporate and commercial matters and client affairs within the UK market. With a distinctive international approach, demonstrated with a small Brussels office complimenting its London Headquarters, Macfarlanes has shown consistent growth. The firm enjoyed its eleventh consecutive year of revenue growth in 2020/21, and amidst pandemic-induced turmoil, posted a 12% increase in operating profit and a 9.2% growth in profit per equity partner to £2.085m.