The recent Legal 500 US ‘Meet the Editor’ webinar provided crucial updates and insights for US law firms aiming to improve their submissions and rankings. Led by Barnaby Merrill (Editor), Amy McDermott (Business Development Director), and Tim Verbrugge (Senior Business Development Manager), the session covered significant updates in Legal 500’s ranking categories, submission best practices, and how firms can stand out in an increasingly competitive market.
Who Uses Legal 500?
Legal 500 is one of the leading global legal directories, attracting over 6.1 million unique visitors annually, with more than 21.5 million page views. It has become a go-to resource for 90% of Fortune 500 companies, 95% of FTSE 350 companies, and 100% of Fortune 500 financial institutions and pharmaceutical firms. This extensive user base highlights its importance for law firms looking to increase their visibility among high-profile clients.
Why Submit to Legal 500?
Legal 500’s rankings are determined based on feedback from over 300,000 clients worldwide. The directory focuses on law firms that deliver innovative and cutting-edge advice to corporate counsel. With over 316 firms ranked, the focus is on exclusivity, with many firms earning only a few rankings across their various practice areas. Legal 500 emphasizes quality over quantity, making it a prestigious platform for law firms to showcase their expertise.
Submission Best Practice:
- Matter Descriptions
Submissions should include matters that occurred between November 2023 and November 2024, summarizing key aspects of the case individually rather than grouping them together.
Each firm is allowed to submit up to 20 matters, and the same matter may appear in multiple submissions if tailored for different practice areas. Ensure all relevant details, such as dates, team members, and opposing parties, are included. This attention to detail helps Legal 500 accurately evaluate the scope and complexity of the work.
- Confidentiality
Non-publishable work highlights (WHs) and client names should be included in the designated confidential sections of the submission.
While confidential WHs are treated equally for ranking purposes, it’s critical that firms disclose significant aspects of the work.
The matter summary section should be clear and concise, offering a one-line synopsis of the work handled, ensuring it’s ready for publication.
- Team Information
Providing comprehensive team details is key to a successful submission. Include information about any significant arrivals or departures within the senior team that are relevant to the practice area. Legal 500 is interested in how these changes impact the firm’s ability to deliver cutting-edge services. The team’s role in significant matters should be clearly reflected in the submission to highlight the firm’s bench strength.
Categories of Lawyers
- Leading Partners: Partners leading market-defining work.
- Next Generation Partners: Partners with three to five years’ experience.
- Leading Associates: Key associates or of-counsel driving major matters.
- Recommended Lawyers: Any individual mentioned in the editorial, client testimonials, or as heads of practice.
Client Referees
Referees are a critical part of the Legal 500 evaluation process. Firms should submit their client referees in the correct format without altering the template. The number of referees is unlimited, and firms can use the same referee across multiple practice areas if necessary.
Legal 500 will contact referees directly via email (editorial@legal500.com) and maintain their anonymity to ensure honest feedback. The feedback is then used to assess the firm’s service quality and client relations.
How Firms Are Ranked
Legal 500’s rankings are based on a rigorous, evidence-based approach. The most important factors are the work presented in submissions, the firm’s track record, and the calibre of the client base. Rankings also consider market share, bench strength, and team developments, such as new hires or departures.
In addition to these factors, referee feedback and the firm’s perception in the market influence rankings. However, unlike other directories, academic achievements or industry awards are not considered. Legal 500 focuses solely on a firm’s ability to deliver high-quality legal services.
What’s New? Key Ranking Updates for US Law Firms
The Legal 500 2025 US edition introduces several new and amended ranking categories that US law firms should be aware of.
New Ranking Categories
- International Business Reorganizations (Corporate M&A)
- National Security (under the renamed International Trade and National Security BPA)
- Commercial Lending – Advice to Direct Lenders/Private Credit
Amended Categories
Several practice areas have undergone renaming or have been divided into separate subsections, including:
- International Trade and national security – updated BPA
- Cartel (Investigations and criminal litigation) – RENAMED SECTION
- Civil litigation (incl. class actions) – defence – RENAMED SECTION
- Civil litigation (incl. class actions) – plaintiff – RENAMED SECTION
- Commercial Lending: advice to borrowers – NOW A SEPARATE TABLE
- Commercial Lending: Advice to bank lenders – RENAMED SECTION
- Financial services regulation: Banking – NOW A SEPARATE TABLE
- Financial services regulation: Consumer finance and broker-dealers – RENAMED SECTION, NOW A SEPARATE TABLE
A full list of new and amended categories is available on the Legal 500 US Submissions Information page.
US City Focus: A New Regional Ranking Initiative
Legal 500 has introduced the US City Focus, which aims to recognize law firms that stand out on a regional and national level. This initiative initially targets firms in New York, Chicago, and Washington D.C., with a second phase covering Boston, Charlotte, and Miami. It will highlight partner-led firms outside the global elite, offering a fresh perspective on legal powerhouses in key US cities.
While Legal 500 will adopt a shortlisting approach, law firms are encouraged to submit if they believe their lawyers are well-suited for consideration. To inquire about submissions or further details, contact Barnaby Merrill or Nathan Oseroff-Spicer at nathan.oseroff-spicer@legal500.com.
Why Subscribe to Legal 500?
Subscribing to Legal 500 offers significant advantages, particularly for firms aiming to boost their visibility and engagement within the legal market. Here’s why subscribing is worthwhile:
- New Platform: The platform has undergone significant enhancements, including new rankings, client satisfaction scores, and the ability to filter firms by national or international approaches, offering users a tailored experience.
- Massive Audience Reach: Legal 500’s vast audience provides subscriber firms the opportunity to engage with an expansive, global market. By subscribing, your firm can increase its visibility and reach within Legal 500’s audience of influential companies and decision-makers.
- Proven Marketing Effectiveness: Legal 500 has consistently demonstrated its effectiveness as a legal marketing tool. The platform enables firms to stand out in a competitive market, helping build a strong reputation with existing and potential clients.
- 2025 Updates: The 2025 edition comes with a brand-new user interface, improved functionality, and over 500 new tables. The new platform is also AI-optimized to ensure maximum impact, allowing firms to better leverage data and user engagement to enhance their profiles.
- Enhanced Visibility: Subscriber firms enjoy significantly increased visibility on the platform, ensuring that their profiles stand out among competitors. This visibility is critical in the highly competitive legal industry, where client engagement and brand differentiation are key to success.
By subscribing to Legal 500, your firm will be better positioned to showcase its strengths, attract new clients, and solidify its place in the legal market. The combination of enhanced functionality and a proven track record makes this platform a valuable tool for law firm marketing and growth.
Research+ Program: Gain Strategic Insights
The Research+ Program offers law firms strategic insights through early access to rankings and submission feedback. The program evaluates the firm’s market reputation, client feedback, and compares it to industry peers. This detailed analysis, conducted by the Legal 500 research team, provides actionable suggestions for improving submissions and identifying growth opportunities. For more information on Research+, contact Tim Verbrugge at Tim.verbrugge@legal500.com.