1. Referees Are Critical to Rankings

• Client feedback is one of the most important factor in Chambers research and one of the easiest ways to improve rankings.
• High-quality feedback matters—encourage referees to provide detailed comments rather than simply selecting top scores.

2. Understanding the System’s Limitations

• The user-facing portal differs from what Chambers researchers see, meaning not all inputted information carries over.
• Not all fields matter—focus on name, email, and referring lawyer fields, while fields like physical address and phone number are largely irrelevant.

3. Common Issues and How to Fix Them

• Invalid emails: Ensure referees have chambers.com in their safe senders list and provide the correct email.
• Unsubscribed referees: A written confirmation must be sent to Chambers to re-enable contact.
• The Three-Month Rule: If a referee was contacted recently, they won’t be contacted again unless they explicitly opt in.
• Missing referees: Sometimes, referees don’t appear in the system immediately—wait before taking action.

4. Strategy for Maximizing Referee Impact

• Submit referee lists early—this helps avoid conflicts and ensures Chambers researchers have full visibility.
• Diversify referees—using different referees for different practice areas maximizes feedback opportunities.
• Monitor response rates—track who responded and replace underperforming referees in future submissions.

5. Post-Submission & Research Follow-Up

• Once research begins, send reminders to referees—but space them out in coordination with Chambers’ reminders.
• Use the “Latest Update” feature in the portal to track when referees were last contacted before following up.
• Post-research, contact the researcher sparingly—only for critical issues, as they may already be working on another section.

Looking Ahead

Chambers continuously updates its referee management process, with potential changes to the Three-Month Rule and other enhancements on the horizon. Staying informed and proactive is key to leveraging the system effectively.

For those who missed the webinar or need further clarification, feel free to reach out. Mastering the Chambers referee process can be the difference between staying ranked and moving up the tiers.

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1. Core Elements of a Strong Submission

• Work Highlights: Submissions should include detailed and significant matters from the past 12 months. Focus on innovation, complexity, and relevance to the market.
• Referee Feedback: Chambers places significant weight on feedback from clients and peers. Ensure referees can speak to your technical expertise, client service, and cross-border capabilities where applicable.

2. Submission Strategy: Tailor for Impact

• Prioritize Quality Over Quantity: For jurisdictions or heavily subscribed categories, focus on your firm’s most impressive highlights. However, aim to include the maximum number of matters (20) to demonstrate the depth of your practice.
• Referee Management: Submit all referees at the earliest deadline to streamline contact and avoid the “three-month rule,” which may limit repeated outreach.
• Adapt for Practice Areas: While the core submission principles are consistent across Chambers guides, adjust for jurisdictional nuances, such as the UK’s granular practice area categories versus broader global listings.

3. Optimizing Lawyer and Firm Presentation

• Bios: Highlight key achievements and a snapshot of recent, impactful work. Use concise, specific examples and avoid overly generic descriptions.
• About Us Section: Focus on what makes your team unique—industry expertise, generational depth, or specific standout capabilities. Avoid generic claims and ensure clarity.
• Feedback Section: Provide objective insights into market dynamics, competitor comparisons, and your firm’s positioning to strengthen your case.

4. Refining Matters for Submissions

• Grouping Matters: Combine related cases (e.g., similar transactions for the same client) but avoid overloading a single highlight with disparate elements.
• Cross-Practice Submissions: It’s acceptable to use the same highlight across different practice areas, but tailor the narrative to emphasize the relevant aspects for each area.

5. Interactions with Chambers Researchers

• Interviews: Partner interviews are an opportunity to provide clarity on niche practice areas or unique strengths but will not directly influence rankings. Prepare to use this time effectively.
• Market Feedback: Researchers also gather insights from peers in the market, which may influence their understanding of your firm’s standing.

6. Practical Tips for Success

• Stay On Time: While missing deadlines won’t automatically penalize you, late submissions may result in less thorough review.
• Include All Relevant Team Members: Acknowledge all contributors to a matter, even from other practice areas, but clarify their roles to avoid confusion.
• Use Data Effectively: Highlight deal values in transactional practices, but emphasize innovation and complexity in non-transactional areas.

Conclusion

Chambers submissions are both an art and a science, requiring a blend of strategy, precision, and storytelling. By focusing on your firm’s unique strengths, carefully managing referees, and adhering to submission best practices, you can enhance your rankings and visibility in this competitive landscape.

For additional support or tailored advice, feel free to reach out to Tier One Rankings for expert guidance. Stay tuned for more webinars and resources to help your firm excel!

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Key Developments Across the Region

The 2025 Guide sheds light on emerging trends and critical updates shaping the South and Southeast Asian legal markets. Below is a summary of notable advancements in various jurisdictions:

India: Driving Innovation in Tech, Media, and Capital Markets

India’s legal market continues to reflect the country’s growing global stature. Significant trends include:

• Digital Transformation:

The Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP) 2023 has introduced new compliance challenges for businesses, with law firms advising major tech companies like Amazon and Google. The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has also driven legal work, particularly in fintech innovations such as speech-to-text AI and third-party payment systems.

• Media & Entertainment Sector Growth:

The increasing regulation of OTT platforms, high-profile defamation cases, and generative AI’s influence on media are fueling demand for legal expertise. Cases such as *The Kerala Story* and celebrity endorsement disputes have been pivotal. Chambers has responded by introducing a dedicated Media & Entertainment table.

• Capital Markets Rebound:

Despite global economic challenges, India’s IPO activity remains robust, exemplified by Ola Electric’s landmark listing. The Social Stock Exchange has also emerged as a groundbreaking platform, enabling non-profits to list and access capital markets.

• Indonesia: Emerging Fintech Hub

Indonesia’s fintech sector is experiencing rapid growth, driven by widespread digital payment adoption and evolving regulatory frameworks. Legal firms are increasingly focused on navigating cryptocurrency regulations, solidifying Indonesia’s position as a critical fintech market.

• Malaysia: Cybersecurity Takes Center Stage

Malaysia’s legislative advancements in technology law, highlighted by the Cybersecurity Bill 2024, signify a commitment to secure digital transformation. The establishment of the Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence in Kuala Lumpur further cements its role in fostering technological progress.

• Singapore: Leadership in AI Governance

Singapore is leading the way in AI governance, having unveiled a draft framework for generative AI. Legal practitioners are addressing challenges posed by AI disruption across industries and advising on significant investments in AI startups.

Capital Markets Across APAC: A Mixed Outlook

• Australia:

Capital markets have been subdued, influenced by inflation and geopolitical tensions. However, an optimistic forecast for 2024 suggests potential growth in equity markets.

• Hong Kong:

While the region continues to face a third consecutive year of decline, privatization deals are on the rise. New regulations targeting startups and tech companies hint at a potential recovery.

• Japan:

Low interest rates and active private equity markets have spurred significant M&A activity, including Toshiba’s $13.5 billion take-private deal.

Mergers and Acquisitions: Resilience Amid Challenges

Southeast Asia is witnessing a resurgence in M&A activity despite global economic headwinds. Singapore leads the region in deal volume, while Japan is experiencing an increase in unsolicited takeover bids, driven by recent regulatory changes. In India, domestic M&A remains strong, with Reliance’s $8.5 billion joint venture with Disney being a standout transaction.

Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion (DEI) in the Legal Market

Diversity remains a focal point, with women comprising 23.5% of ranked lawyers in the 2025 guide. While smaller markets like Laos and Sri Lanka lead in gender representation, larger jurisdictions such as Japan and South Korea still have room for progress.

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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.

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Anna Bauböck and Daniela Costa, Editors for The Legal 500 Europe, Middle East and Africa, addressed F&Qs and covered a wide range of expectations, requirements and practices Legal 500 look for when reviewing submissions and referees.

We also had the opportunity to hear from Jordan Lincoln, Head of Business Development for EMEA, on the ways in which law firms can stand out in the upcoming Legal 500 2025 edition. This article summarizes the key takeaways from the webinar to guide legal professionals in optimizing their Legal 500 rankings.

Why submit to Legal 500?

Legal 500 reported 5.9 million users access the Legal 500 website annually, meaning it has been visited 2.5 times more than their biggest competitor. Alongside its popularity, the Legal 500 rankings and awards are used extensively by various in-house lawyers, business leaders and law firms – according to their research, they have received feedback from over 300,000 clients worldwide!

Due to their comprehensive research programs, Legal 500 rankings are based on a series of criteria which require law firms to highlight their most elite in their areas of practice. Brand reputation alone does not help in this regard, only outstanding work must be submitted within the research period (past 12 months).

What does the Research timeline look like?

May: New submission guidelines (i.e. submission information page) released. It is possible that new or amended ranking categories are introduced, so make sure to check every year. It is advised that you download the submission template and referee spreadsheet to familiarize yourself with the format of Legal 500 and be aware of any changes made to submission fields or commentary sections.

August: Referee deadline (including Nordics) is 5^th August 2024. Editorial submission deadline is also 5^th August 2024. However, for Nordic jurisdictions the editorial deadline is 30^th August 2024. Please submit via the submission portal on Legal 500 as emailed documents will not be accepted. Ensure you send separate submissions and referee spreadsheets for each practice area.

September – November: During this period, interviews take place. Updates can still be made to the submission as long as you reupload the updated submission on the Legal 500 submission page. Interviews should involve senior practitioners and practice management, last 30 minutes and try to request interviews proactively – if you feel like you really want an interview, major developments in the relevant practice area or team. If you had a recent submission update (e.g., team change or matter changed confidentiality), you can still update and re-upload on L500 portal, replacing the older version. If done so correctly, please notify the researcher with reasonable notice so they have ample time to analyse all recent developments.

December – March: By this point,research has concluded. This means updates about matter highlights can no longer be applied to uploaded submission, but exceptions still apply. For example, major developments like team restructuring or a recent merger will be regarded as acceptable updates at this stage. Once finalised, Editors start working on ranking decisions.

March: Legal 500 EMEA 2025 edition released. Queries via FAQS (legal500.com/faqs).

What’s new with Legal 500 EMEA?

Legal 500 have introduced new ranking categories for the EMEA regions:

• Spain – Financial Services Regulatory
• Spain – Venture capital

Alongside these additions, they have also amended certain categories as they believe it is best to merge all energy related submissions into one:

• Netherlands – Energy Transactional & Regulatory work is now merged into one consolidated ranking
• Norway – Offshore Construction & Shipbuilding is now split into: Offshore Construction and Shipping & Maritime law (include shipbuilding work)

Additionally, Legal 500 announced they will split Real estate & Construction for Switzerland:

• Switzerland – Real estate & Construction is now split into: Real estate and Construction.

Lastly, the following category was removed from Legal 500 EMEA:

• Switzerland – Leading Firms: Italian-speaking Switzerland

Submission best practices?

1. Matter highlights:

Remember to include the recommended number of highlights (20) that fall within the research time period (past 12 months). Identify what is significant about your role in the matter (don’t just provide a description). It is important you complete all submission fields, including dates, team members and opposing parties if relevant. You are allowed to include the same matter in more than one submission but please tailor the matter description to the relevant practice area.

2. Confidentiality:

Work marked as confidential must stay confidential (only used for internal research). Many believe confidentiality will lead to a weaker submission. However, the editors at Legal 500 have confirmed you will not be penalised for providing confidential information. This is because they are treated the same from a ranking perspective as publishable highlights.

3. Team information:

It is ideal that you do not include lawyers who have spent less than 50% of their time practising in a practice area you are submitting. Please do not put forward practice heads or recommended lawyers for recognition who do not feature in the matter highlights.

4. Lawyer categories:

Acclimatize yourself with the following Legal 500 lawyer categories:

1. ‘Hall of Fame’: Lawyers widely regarded as being at the very top of the profession, and consistently ranked as leading individuals for several years.
2. ‘Leading Partner’: True market leaders with long-established reputation, lead roles in multiple recent significant matters, and exceptional endorsement from peers and clients.
3. ‘Next Generation Partner’: Lawyers with generally five years or fewer at partner level, significant recognition from client and peers, and recent lead roles on multiple matters.
4. ‘Leading Associate’ (non-partner): Association level lawyers who appear frequently in significant matters.

What was said about client referees?

When submitting your referee list to Legal 500, ensure you submit in the correct format – also do not amend or add any additional fields to the spreadsheet Legal 500 supply.

Only provide one referee spreadsheet per practice area and if you are struggling to gather enough referees, remind yourself that anyone (e.g., another firm or someone who isn’t an in-house counsel or CEO) who can provide an informed opinion about the sophistication of work involved, are eligible.

Due to the sensitive nature of certain matters, Legal 500 guarantee client referee anonymity. Before you decide including referees in your submission to Legal 500, always ask for their permission first as Legal 500 does not want to contact referees who didn’t provide consent. Another important practice is to double check (annually) your referees will respond in a timely manner.

How Legal 500 rank firms

Legal 500 rank firms on several factors based on the matters you submit and the referees you choose. Please consider the following:

• Evidence based approach to the rankings – work presented in the submission
• Track record in a practice area
• Calibre of the client base
• Market share
• Bench strength
• Team developments
• Sector strengths
• Referee feedback

How do you make a good submission?

When determining the strength of your submission, you should ask yourself this question: what really differentiates you from your peers? This will help you sell yourself as an individual and a representative of your firm. To answer this question effectively, it is crucial you focus on facts to demonstrate your position. Tell the researcher about team growth, new clients and new areas of work.

Due to the limited number of work highlights you can include, use matter highlights wisely. You must emphasise your role and why its special – don’t just describe the work you were involved in. Talk about strategic growth plans for the practice rather than. Don’t make matters confusing by including legal jargon as not all Legal 500 researchers/editors have a legal background. Finally, submit on time and in the right format – including referee data.

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Key and *NEW* Features of the Referee Management Tool

The tool provides comprehensive oversight of your referee management process. It shows when research starts and ends, updates on Chambers’ progress in attempting to get in contact with your referees as the research process advances, and flags issues such as invalid emails, the 3-month rule, and unsubscribed referees. While the tool is incredibly useful, it is not without its quirks. The product team at Chambers is constantly working to fix bugs and develop new features. The latest update includes the “ALL REFEREES” feature, allowing users to see all referees listed, their contact rate, and to search by lawyer name or referee name. You can also see a more detailed view of their communication history when acting as a referee for your firm in the current and past years, which makes it much easier to manage any referees you are using for multiple submissions. Plus, the data is downloadable at every stage, simplifying life for those managing extensive referee spreadsheets.

Common Problems and Solutions

Problem: Invalid Email

The email sent by Chambers bounced back. The email address might be technically correct, but the problem could be due to a firewall or other blockers.

Solution:

• Ask your referees in advance to add @chambers.com to their safe senders list.
• Share the Chambers researcher’s email with your referee so they can make contact directly.
• Government and banks email addresses may often have stricter security settings. If using referees from organisations such as these, the above efforts can be very useful, or you could also consider if the referee has an alternative email that might be used as a last resort.

Problem: Unsubscribed

This referee clicked the unsubscribe button on a Chambers correspondence at some point (could be yesterday or 5 years ago) and because of this Chambers will not send further emails to this person without their direct consent.

Solution:

• If you asked and your referee is willing to participate, forward their written confirmation to costumersuccess@chambers.com to have them re-added to the list. It is good practice to always email your referees asking them to confirm their consent before putting them forward to Chambers. If you do this, any referees that are on the ‘unsubscribed’ list can be quickly dealt with as you will already have the written confirmation you need to send to Chambers to get your referee back on the email list. This can allow you to remove any concerns well before research begins. This practice is also widely appreciated by referees who are more likely to respond and be prepared to share detailed feedback if they have been consulted in advance.

Problem: Contacted 3-month rule (green)

This person has been put forward as a referee for several different areas of the research and Chambers have already been in contact with them in the last 3 months about a different practice area (specifically on the date listed in the “latest update” column). This referee WILL NOT be emailed again to request additional feedback for the current practice area.

Solution:

• Plan ahead! Use the “ALL REFEREES” feature to check the past (and potential present) 3-month rule status for each practice area. This is a valid recommendation across the board, since the referees sometimes stay the same from year to year with minor additions or removals, you want to take into account their past contact status (contacted, 3-month rule, unsubscribed, etc.). Past referees who responded are more likely to receive and respond to emails again. Conversely, consider replacing those who did not respond or speak to them directly.
• Replace the referee.
• It is also possible that you do not need to do anything – in many cases where referees have already been contacted under the 3-month rule, the Chambers research team will have attempted to gather feedback from them about as many firms and practice areas as possible, therefore the referee may have already provided feedback on the current practice area ahead of time.

Problem: In Progress 3-month rule (blue)

Same as above, the difference is the referee has not yet responded in this case. Nevertheless, they will not be emailed again and the recommendation remains the same.

Ideal Response: Contacted

Perfect, nothing to do here. Chambers has been able to make direct contact with your referee and will ensure they capture as much feedback as the referee is willing and able to share.

Problem: not all the referees you submitted are listed

Solution: if all referees are submitted properly, the best solution is to wait. If research starts and the list is still not fully updated, you may want to contact the relevant researcher.

The Ultimate Solution

1. Get the Referee Management Tool: Ensure your firm has access to this essential tool.
2. Verify Referees Before Submission: Confirm their willingness to participate before adding them.
3. Upload Early: Submit your referees as early as possible, ideally by the first deadline in your jurisdiction. This allows you to identify and resolve issues before research starts.
4. Stay in Touch: Contact your referees when research begins to remind and guide them.

By following these steps and leveraging the enhanced features of the Chambers Referee Management Tool, you can streamline the process and improve your chances of a successful submission.

The post Everything You Need to Know About the Chambers Referee Management Tool appeared first on Tier One Rankings.

With the latest Chambers USA launched today, the guide received over 58,000 responses from US law firm departments and individuals, by way of interview or survey (between August 2023 and February 2024).

Trends discussed on today’s webinar referenced how embattled GCs face post-pandemic interest rates and inflationary pressures, proving difficult for many law firms across various practice areas (e.g., there was a 10-12% decrease in M&A aggregate value). Yet, there were strong revenues in the upper ranks and for those who have become a destination practice for strategic or bet-the-company work.

This year shows a remarkably stable and resilient US economy and legal market.

Chambers USA Regional Spotlight:

Chambers continues its mission to spotlight the best-performing firms, ranging from small to medium-sized firms that are considered go-to counsel for legal buyers seeking wider options and localised expertise.

This year, Chambers returned to Texas and continued to delve into the legal markets of Florida, New York, and North Carolina. In addition, Chambers announced they will spotlight law firms based in Ohio and Illinois.

New Submission Areas for Chambers USA 2025:

In each state, Chambers ranks the top US law firms in four areas of law: Corporate/Commercial, Labor & Employment, Litigation, and Real Estate. Despite covering over 50 different practice areas/sectors on a state and national level, Chambers has announced that they will be introducing new coverage areas this year.

The new areas of coverage are as follows:

• Nationwide: Construction: International Disputes
• Nationwide: Higher Education
• Nationwide: Impact Investing
• Nationwide: Energy: PHMSA Specialists
• Nationwide: Transportation: Aviation: Transactional

Practice areas ranked at the state level are based on the location in which a law firm or individual lawyer practices, regardless of where their clients are located or where most of their deals take place.

USA Research Expansion:

Research for the Chambers USA 2025 Guide will begin in August this year.

The upcoming edition will cover numerous emerging and expanding practice areas across the US legal market, expanding existing areas of coverage into new jurisdictions.

The full list of research coverage can be found here.

When should I submit?

Submissions for the Chambers USA 2025 Guide are now open!

The first submission deadline is 11 July 2024. The full research scedule can be found here.

Upcoming Events:

• Annual Chambers USA Awards – June 13^th, 2024

Sources:

https://chambers.com/legal-guide/usa-5

https://chambers.com/topics/new-submission-areas-for-chambers-usa-2025

The post Chambers USA 2024 Guide Launch appeared first on Tier One Rankings.

Submissions: 20 work highlights per submission per practice area. If more than 20 included, researchers will only look at first 20. No need for exhaustive detail, a summary of key points will suffice.

Client Feedback: Maximum of 20 referees per firm per practice area – might be some exceptions. Please check the Chambers research calendar to confirm referee limit in your jurisdiction/practice area.

Lawyer Interviews: Lawyer interviews are optional, not critical. They are a chance to provide extra detail, but largely for the researcher to get market feedback.

How are rankings determined?

Work Highlights

• Evidence of work that is comparable standard to other ranked/submitting firms
• Greatest credit given to sophisticated, cross-border matters, especially novel/market first
• Deal/case value is often indicative, but not a determining factor.

Referees

• Referees are incredibly important and provide feedback on the firm’s service and wider team.
• Submissions are undoubtedly important but lose their impact without corroboration from referees.

Market Feedback

• Peer appraisal is taken into account but with the awareness that this feedback is subjective.

Referees: Who to put forward?

• Talkers
• Clients who know the team/market
• Mix of old and new clients
• Link to submission matters
• Can be direct clients, overseas counsel or regulators
• Seek consent before putting down an individual’s name
• Encourage client participation
• Don’t miss the deadline!

Referee Trials

In the upcoming Chambers Europe 2025 guide, there will be an expansion of the referee trial.

The full list of countries that will be part of ref trial to be found on website – see here: Ranking Opportunities for Law Firms | Chambers Europe Legal Topics

New Sections Open for Submission

• Austria – TMT: Data Protection
• Finland – Competition/European Law: Public Procurement
• Greece – Banking & Finance: Capital Markets
• Gibraltar – General Business Law: Corporate/Commercial and General Business Law: Financial Services
• Italy – Dispute Resolution: Arbitration
• Netherlands – Arbitration
• Netherlands – Litigation: Supreme Court Litigation and Litigation: Mass Torts: Mainly Plaintiffs
• Portugal – Dispute Resolution: Highly Regarded and Dispute Resolution: The Elite

Differences between Chambers Europe & Global:

Europe-wide categories:

This section assesses firms’ cross-border and international capabilities and coordination between offices.

When should I submit?

• Deadline is May 30^th
• Multiple offices across different jurisdictions within Europe.
• Dedicated Trade/WTO practice.
• Do not submit to Europe-wide if you have missed the local deadline.
• Referees should only be submitted for International Trade/WTO and Regulatory & Public Affairs.

The post Chambers Europe 2025 – Everything you need to know for the upcoming guide. appeared first on Tier One Rankings.

Having launched in 2024, the Legal Media Group (LMG) DEI Awards cast a spotlight on pioneering achievements within law firms and among practitioners across EMEA, Canada, the United States, and Latin America.

This inaugural initiative is positioned to celebrate diversity, foster inclusivity, and acknowledge excellence within an industry that holds a pivotal role in shaping our legal terrain.

The LMG DEI Awards transcend mere commendations; they signify a dedication to advocating for DEI principles within the legal sphere. These awards seek to recognize individuals and firms not only for their embrace of diversity but also for their active efforts in cultivating inclusive environments where all individuals are esteemed and respected. In doing so, these firms position themselves to better address the diverse needs of their clients and communities.

Award Categories

The Awards recognise individuals and initiatives that serve as catalysts for change within the legal industry. These champions break down barriers, challenge biases, and foster environments where diversity thrives. Subject matters include:

• Race & Ethnicity: Recognising efforts to support diverse ethnic minorities.
• LGBTQ+: Honouring initiatives supporting the LGBTQ+ community.
• Disability: Acknowledging programs for individuals with visible and non-visible disabilities.
• Social Mobility: Celebrating initiatives aimed at addressing socio-economic barriers.
• Religion: Recognizing efforts to promote inclusivity across faith-based groups.

Firm Awards

The Firm Awards acknowledge law firms and practitioners for their dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion. These awards highlight firms that have implemented effective strategies and policies to create inclusive workplaces.

Diversity Leader Awards

The Diversity Leader Awards recognise individuals who advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion within the legal profession. These leaders drive positive change in various subject matters, fostering inclusivity at every level.

In-House Team Awards

The In-House Team Awards honour corporate teams that demonstrate a commitment to DEI within their workplaces. These teams implement initiatives that foster inclusivity and create diverse and equitable environments.

General Counsel Awards

The General Counsel Awards recognize top-ranking in-house lawyers who champion diversity, equity, and inclusion. These advocates play a crucial role in promoting DEI principles within their organisations and beyond.

Hall of Fame

The Hall of Fame Award is the highest honour, bestowed upon individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. These trailblazers inspire positive change on a broad scale and remain staunch advocates for DEI principles.

Part of IFLR’s suite of services, the awards will open for the EMEA region on April 4 2024, with a submission deadline of May 9. The shortlist will be announced on July 18 and the Awards Gala will take place this September.  The submission deadline (March 1) has passed for Canada, USA and Latin America.

More information and the relevant forms can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/yedxn62r

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