The webinar, hosted by Chris Adams (US Editor) and Kingsley Egbuonu (Research Editor) last month, offered valuable insights and practical tips. Our team tuned in—so you don’t have to—and we’ve summarised the key points below.

Key research dates:

• September 1, 2025: Research Launch
• October 31, 2025: Firm submission deadline
• December 2025: Market feedback survey begins
• January 2026: End of research interviews
• February 2026: Start of results publication 
• July 2026: End of research

Tips and key insights about the research

• Research for 2026 began in September, and interviews will follow shortly.
• The practice areas assessed include: patent, trademark, copyright, design, IP transactions, domain names and IP tax advice. 
• There are no major changes to the research methodology. However, some new questions have been added to the questionnaire – highlighted in green in the online form.
• No timeline changes are expected. While publication dates remain subjects to changes, they are likely to follow the usual schedule. Updates can be found on the IP Stars live page.
• The research process – and being ranked – is free. IP Stars and Managing IP’s research is impartial: all firms are assessed using the same criteria. 
• Firms are encouraged to add as much information as possible, including feedback on other firms in their submissions.

Key principles guiding the research:

1. Transparency – The more information you provide in submission – about your own firm or other – the better.
2. Honesty – IP Stars expects accurate information, provided to the best of your knowledge.
3. Timeliness – Firms must meet submissions deadlines, although extension requests may be granted. Early engagement is prioritised.
4. Impact – Showcase how your work has made a difference to clients, your firm, or the industry.
5. Details – Supplying detailed information improves your chances, especially for award consideration.

Additional information on research

1. Overview of the Research Process

Research includes interviews with firms, surveys/interviews with referees, and analysis of historical data and firm websites. Rankings prepared by researchers are reviewed by editors.

2. Firm Interviews

Interviews with firms are used to gather feedback on current rankings—not to evaluate the firm’s own capabilities. All essential information should be included in the written submission.

3. Client and Referee Feedback:

Clients are typically asked how they found the firm, whom they would recommend, and whether they have worked with other firms. They are not asked to verify specific work types. While client interviews may occur, feedback is usually submitted in writing. It is important to ask your referees if they give consent to be contacted. IP Stars will reach out to them by email.

4. Evaluation Criteria

Researchers assess a firm’s track record, stability, consistency, and team/industry strengths. Bench strength—who is on your team and their expertise—is key. Market feedback from other firms is also highly important.

5. Work Highlights Guidance:

It is recommended to keep work highlights under 300 words, though firms won’t be penalised descriptions are longer or shorter.

6. Referee Spreadsheet

No changes were made to the excel spreadsheet. Firms should use the pre-formatted document without altering it. Each row should include the firm’s name under “Your firm’s name” for all referees; failing to do so may jeopardise the referee pool.

7. Submission of Final Documents

When it comes to submitting final documents, firms are encouraged to wait and submit their finals documents only, as IP Stars does not allow documents update by email. Firms should ideally avoid submitting temporary drafts on the portal. Same applies to referees: submit only your final list.  for the referees; only submit your final list. 

8. Submission Format

One document per jurisdiction is expected. 

Managing IP Awards

The awards recognise exceptional work and achievement of IP professionals, both in recent years and historically.

Three ceremonies take place – Americas, Asia Pacific and EMEA – attended by firms, in-house counsel and IP services providers and public officials.

As with the rankings, firms do not pay to win or be shortlisted. The awards cover multiple practice areas and categories. Submissions should highlight interesting case studies—whether recent or from past years. Previous years’ details add weight.

Strong first examples capture researchers’ attention, so firms are advised to present matters in order of importance. The matters submitted form the core of the assessment. There is no set number of matters to put forward, but the more case studies in the submission, the stronger the submission. 

Other aspects are important in the submission: can you show that you have retained clients? Have you launched a new tool? Have you opened a new office?  

Q&A: 

At the end of the session, attendees were invited to ask questions, and we’ve included the transcribed a couple below.

Q: Our firm operates globally. How do we choose where to submit?
A: Submit in jurisdictions where your lawyers are qualified to practise. For instance, if your firm is based in the US and all your lawyers are US-qualified, you should submit in the US—even if you handle international work.

Q: How do you treat negative feedback?
A: We take negative feedback seriously and address it thoughtfully. If a comment is particularly concerning, we contact the firm to give them the opportunity to respond.

Q: Does not being invited to a lawyer call impact the rankings?
A: No. Participation in lawyer calls does not affect your ranking.

Q: Is there an ideal number of referees to include for partners?
A: Simply complete the form; listing partner names for each client is unnecessary. We will ask referees directly who they have worked with. Include at least five referees who are likely to respond.

Q: Do you want to see updates on associate hires?
A: Yes, you may include more information than what appears in the form. Any relevant information—such as associate hires—is welcome.

Q: Can we add more than 15 matters in the submission?
A: Yes, you may include more than 15 matters in one practice area. The more examples you provide, the better—start with your strongest ones. Some firms include far more, and all are reviewed. If you have an update, you can email the researcher, explain why it wasn’t included, and provide the new information.

Q: How many people can join the call?
A: We prefer to speak with at least two representatives from each firm. If possible, include professionals from two practice areas. Senior associates are welcome, and anyone with relevant knowledge may join.

Q: Who do we contact if we have a question about the research?
A: Any enquiries should be sent to research@managingip.com.

We hope you have found this article helpful! Click here to watch the full webinar, and let us know if you have any questions!

The post IP STARS & Managing IP 2026 – Global Webinar: Key Takeaways appeared first on Tier One Rankings.

Any feedback provided within this period will be taken into account for the rankings.

If your referees miss this feedback window, there is still an opportunity to provide feedback year-round using the link below. Through this form, they can select the relevant publication, jurisdiction, and practice area, and manually enter the firm they wish to comment on, along with their feedback on the team. However, please note that although Legal500 will receive this feedback, there is no guarantee that feedback received outside of the official research window will be considered or published.

Link to provide late feedback : https://www.legal500.com/referee-form/. To be prudent, any referee who has received a reminder is encouraged to use the original link provided by Legal500, rather than the general feedback form.

We will update this post if we receive any new information or developments, and don’t forget to check our LinkedIn to not miss our latest news!

As always, our dedicated team remains available if you have any questions!

The Tier One team

The post Legal500 EMEA 2026 Research: Update on Referee Outreach appeared first on Tier One Rankings.

Here are the key dates:

• Client referees deadline: November 14, 2025
• Editorial submission deadline: November 14, 2025
• Firms interviews conducted: December 2025 to February 2026
• Publication: June 2026

The Legal500 US 2026 guide has broadened its scope to more accurately reflect today’s market — recognising not only top-tier work, but also the strength of talent in the mid-market and specialist boutiques. The updated sections are highlighted in the image below!

For more information on practice area coverage, submission and referee templates, FAQs, click here.

As always, our Tier One team is at your disposal if you have any questions!

The post Legal500 US Guide 2026 – New and Amended Sections appeared first on Tier One Rankings.

The session covered both procedural updates and practical tips to help firms boost their visibility and rankings. We’ve compiled the key points from the webinar below.

Key Dates to Keep in Mind

Several important deadlines were emphasised during the webinar:

• Referee spreadsheet deadline: 4 August 2025 (critical for all regions, including the Nordics!)
• Submission deadline (for all EMEA countries): 4 August 2025
• Submission deadline (for the Nordics): 29 August 2025
• Research: begins in September 2025
• EMEA rankings publication: March 2026
• Embargoed rankings: shared one week prior to public release for subscribing firms

New Features in the Legal 500 Research Process

Legal 500 has introduced several enhancements to its research tools and rankings. A new “Leading Rankings Performers” table aggregates the top-performing law firms across jurisdictions and practice areas, eliminating the need for separate submissions for this accolade. 

The “Worldwide Ranking” category has also been launched, highlighting outstanding firms in key practice areas such as antitrust and intellectual property.

Another notable addition is the “Client Satisfaction” accolade, which recognises firms achieving the highest scores in client surveys.

Additionally, a comparative tool has been introduced, allowing firms and clients to benchmark performance across different rankings — a useful feature for firms looking to position themselves competitively.

How to Build a Strong Submission

One of the central messages from the webinar was the importance of building submissions that go beyond a simple list of matters, combining evidence with storytelling, demonstrating not just what was achieved, but why it matters to clients and to the wider market. 

To achieve this, firms should focus on several key elements:

• Tell your story
  A compelling submission should do more than present facts. It should highlight what sets the firm apart: client wins, unique areas of expertise, the pedigree of the team, and the strategic vision for the future. Legal 500 values submissions that help researchers understand the narrative behind the firm’s success, not just the outcome of individual matters.
• Include robust matter highlights
  The submission window for this cycle covers matters from August 2024 to August 2025. Legal 500 allows up to 20 matter highlights, and firms that provide fewer risk falling behind competitors who use the full allowance. These matters should reflect a mix of complexity, scale, and strategic importance, and — where possible — demonstrate the breadth of the firm’s practice.
• Tailor each submission
  Legal 500 recommends tailoring submissions for each practice area to reflect specialised teams and relevant client work. This level of detail should show researchers that the firm has dedicated resources and deep expertise in each discipline.
• Be strategic with lawyer bios
  Only include lawyers who spend at least 50% of their time in the relevant practice area and who are connected to the matters highlighted. This ensures the submission accurately represents the firm’s active talent pool and avoids diluting attention with irrelevant profiles.
• Address confidentiality proactively
  Confidential matters are treated equally to public ones, but Legal 500 recommends firms to share as much detail as possible. Providing meaningful context — even if anonymised — helps researchers understand the significance of the work without breaching client obligations.
• Use data to your advantage
  Researchers like to see quantifiable achievements in the submission so make sure to incorporate deal values, case statistics, and other measurable outcomes where and when possible. Concrete figures can elevate a submission from descriptive to persuasive.
• Engage with researchers through interviews
  Once the research list is published in September, firms are welcomed to contact the relevant research to arrange a 30-minute call, which the researcher will try to accommodate. These conversations provide an opportunity to clarify highlights, emphasise key matters, and ensure the submission is fully understood.
• Submit on time — every year
  Deadlines are non-negotiable. Late submissions or referee lists cannot be guaranteed review, which can undermine even the strongest content. It is also important that you submit every year, as failing to do so could result in being demoted if Legal 500 lacks information about your firm.

Maximising Referee Feedback

Referees remain a crucial aspect of the rankings process. While Legal 500 allows unlimited referees, firms are advised to provide at least 20 referees to ensure sufficient feedback is collected. The list can include a mix of clients, barristers, and co-counsel who are familiar with the firm’s work and can speak meaningfully about its strengths. Note that referees can be listed for various practice areas. 

Legal 500 stresses the importance of submitting them by the 4 August deadline, to make sure your referees will be contacted when the research starts. 

Referees should be notified in advance, as survey emails will come from editorial@legal500.com. If a referee fails to respond, a self-service form is available to address the issue.

Categories for Individual Recognition

The webinar’s hosts also reiterated the following definitions of their rankings:

• The Hall of Fame recognises lawyers widely regarded as leaders at the very top of the profession, with a long-standing track record of excellence. 
• Leading Partners are established market leaders with significant peer and client endorsements. 
• The Next Generation Partners category identifies rising stars, typically with five or fewer years at partner level, who have achieved recognition through leading roles on significant matters. 
• Finally, Leading Associates are associate-level lawyers frequently cited by clients and peers for their work on noteworthy cases.

Addressing Common Questions

The webinar also addressed frequently asked questions about the research process and made the following comments: 

• Any changes to confidentiality or team composition should be communicated as soon as possible to the relevant researcher.
• Firms requesting changes to their editorial content on the Legal 500 website must contact the designated editorial team rather than researchers directly. 
• Peer feedback (or Market feedback) is considered during the research process but does not determine rankings; instead, it helps researchers identify firms that may not yet be on their radar. 

Subscription Packages: Standard and Premium (see picture below)

Jordan Lincoln, Senior Business Development Manager at Legal 500, introduced us to the new two-tier subscription options, which we’ve summarised below.

The Standard package includes up to six client testimonials (compared to two for non-subscribers), along with twelve key clients and three work highlights. Firms under this package are also featured in the new firm comparison tool.

The Premium package builds on these features by allowing up to ten client testimonials, twenty key clients, and five work highlights. Premium subscribers gain access to historical editorial data across three editions and can provide real-time updates via Legal 500 Live. Premium subscribers also receive submission analysis reports. An additional benefit is the referee tracking tool, which allows firms to monitor response rates and add referees after the initial deadline.

We’ve included an image from the webinar that illustrates the differences between these packages.

Final Thoughts

The major takeaways from the webinar were clear: rankings are reassessed from scratch each year, so firms must submit annually and treat each cycle as an opportunity to demonstrate progress. High-quality submissions that are accurate, comprehensive, and timely remain the most critical factor in success. 

We hope this article has helped clarify what Legal 500 looks for. Our Tier One team recently hosted a webinar covering topics such as the submission process, referee management, selection criteria, etc. Our Submissions Consultant, Lena Martin, summarised the key takeaways in an article, which you can read by clicking here.

If you want to watch the Legal 500 recorded webinar click here.

The post Legal 500 EMEA Webinar – Our Recap appeared first on Tier One Rankings.

What Is Legal500 and How Are Rankings Determined?
The Legal500 is one of the world’s leading independent legal directories, covering
approximately 150 jurisdictions and ranking both law firms and individual lawyers.
Rankings are determined through a combination of:

• Casework submitted by the firm
• Team structure and overall strength
• Client and peer feedback
• Market presence and recognition

Unlike paid listings, these rankings are entirely research-based, making the quality and
presentation of submissions critical for success.

Why Work Highlights Are the Cornerstone of Your Submission
One message from the webinar was clear: work highlights carry the most weight in Legal500 assessments. Firms should prioritise:

• Selecting up to 20 significant matters (complex, innovative, high-impact).
• Applying the Five W’s Framework:
  Who: Identify the client and explain their significance (e.g., market position, prestige).
  What: Detail what your firm did for the client and the results achieved.
  Why: Explain why the matter stands out (novelty, complexity, precedent-setting impact).
  Where: Clarify where the matter was located and whether it was domestic or cross-border.
  When: Confirm relevance (ideally within the last 12 months).

Strategic curation is essential — highlight only the most impressive matters that showcase your firm’s depth and expertise.

Building a Stronger Submission: Beyond the Work Highlights

1. Demonstrate Team Depth and Track Record
Legal500 researchers want to see more than star individuals; they look for broad team capability. Show collaboration, leadership structure, and strengths across related practice areas.

2. Showcase Your Client Base
Diversity and quality of clients matter. A broad mix — buyers and sellers, multinational and niche players — strengthens your submission and demonstrates market relevance.

3. Acknowledge Market Presence
While peer reputation is not the top factor, consistent positive recognition from the market can reinforce your ranking prospects.

4. Getting Referee Strategy Right
Referee feedback underpins the submission’s credibility. Key considerations include:

• Quantity vs. Quality: Aim for 15–20 responses per practice area; more is fine, but meaningful feedback counts most.
• Referee Selection: Mix clients, peers, and third-party professionals who have worked with your team in the past 12 months.
• Set Realistic Expectations: Highly prestigious referees may be impressive on paper but less likely to respond — prioritise those who will engage.
• Confidentiality Assured: All feedback is anonymised before being incorporated into rankings.

Important Deadlines and Research Periods
For 2025, the EMEA Legal500 submission deadline is the 4th of August, with Nordic
countries following on the 29th of August. (IMPORTANT: The referee spreadsheet for Nordic countries should still be submitted on the 4th of August!) Late submissions may be considered for a short period after the deadline, but timely submission ensures full consideration. Research typically runs for around three months post-deadline — ensure referees are prepared to respond during this window.

Key Differences from Chambers
While both Legal500 and Chambers are respected directories, their methodologies differ:

• Legal500 emphasises work highlights, while Chambers prioritises referee feedback.
• Legal500 allows unlimited referees, unlike Chambers, which caps submissions.
• Referee outreach from Legal500 is centralised through a single email address (editorial@legal500.com), simplifying the process for firms and referees alike.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Submitting irrelevant or outdated matters outside the practice scope.
• Overloading submissions with excessive detail — clarity and conciseness are key.
• Neglecting to include junior talent or next-generation partners you wish to raise in profile.
• Assuming paid profiles or content collaborations with Legal500 influence rankings (they do not).

Small Firms Can Compete Too
An important takeaway: Legal500 assesses team quality relative to firm size. Even small practices with one or two standout lawyers can achieve rankings if their work demonstrates excellence and market impact.

Final Thoughts
Our webinar underscored that successful Legal500 submissions require a balanced approach: compelling work highlights, thoughtful referee selection, and clear demonstration of team and market strength. By focusing on these fundamentals, firms of all sizes can improve their chances of achieving or elevating their rankings.
For more guidance or support in preparing your next submission — from drafting work highlights to strategic referee selection — our team at Nishlis Legal Marketing is here to help!

To view the full webinar, click here (Password: OEKy#3&*)

The post Key Insights from Our Legal500 Webinar: How to Strengthen Your Directory Submissions appeared first on Tier One Rankings.

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• How best to present your team’s work in submission documents.
• The referee process and how you can help improve response rates.
• The research process at the directories and how they make ranking decisions.
• Differences between the major directories and how to adapt a submission to each of them.
• Scoring system and three pillars of success.
• The key to getting individual rankings.
• Crafting the perfect work highlights, and much more.

This session will be a presentation covering the above, followed by a Q&A where our panel can address any issues you are experiencing.

Don’t miss this chance to elevate your submission strategies and boost your profile in the legal sector.Confirm your spot today as seating will be limited.

Confirm your spot today as seating is limited.

Date: June 10th. Time: 15:00-17:00. Location: Kinstellar offices, Palác Myslbek, Na Příkopě 19, 110 00 Prague 1. Link to register: Click here.

The post Prague Briefing: Legal Directories – Tips, Tricks and Insights appeared first on Tier One Rankings.

The session covered how to craft compelling submissions, manage the referee process, understand what researchers look for in making ranking decisions, and increase your chances of achieving a Band 1 ranking. Whether you’re a legal marketer, a lawyer, or a firm aiming to refine your approach, this webinar was packed with expert tips and actionable strategies. We were thrilled to see such a strong turnout and to receive so many engaging questions!

Below, you will find a summary of the key topics we covered during the live session, and a link to the webinar recording.

• We began by outlining the Chambers research cycle, which includes preparation, interviews, and final rankings. Preparation involves organizing spreadsheets and scheduling interviews. During the interview phase, researchers gather feedback from lawyers and clients. Finally, researchers assess submissions, score them internally, and recommend rankings. We will soon be publishing an article that explores this topic in greater depth!
  
• Submissions should focus on two things: the sophistication of the work and the depth of the team. Matters must be relevant to the practice area. Structure is essential – lead with impactful, high-value matters and explain why they stand out.
  
• Chambers uses internal scores (1–5) to evaluate work quality, client feedback, and team strength. Scores guide decisions but don’t dictate rankings outright. Researchers consider past performance and upward or downward trajectory.
  
• Referee feedback is crucial – accounting for over 50% of the ranking outcome. Choose referees who are available and familiar with your work, not just senior in title. Strong feedback is often the deciding factor for rising or new lawyers.
  
• Team representation must be strategic. Prioritize those actively working in the practice area. Co-led matters and the “Other Team Members” section can help spotlight juniors and up-and-coming talent. 
  
• Lawyer interviews help researchers gather market trends, team updates, and peer insights. Be constructive – avoid focusing solely on frustrations or undermining others. Use the call to build a relationship and clarify key points. 
  
• Matter descriptions should be concise yet informative. Avoid overly technical language, but include key legal elements when helpful.  
  
• Chambers does not currently use AI tools in its rankings. Submissions drafted with AI are acceptable, as long as the content is clear and well-written. However, referee quotes should be genuine and not AI-generated.
  
• There’s no fixed cap on the number of ranked lawyers from one firm, but balance is maintained across rankings. Give space to younger lawyers while continuing to support senior team members with a track record. 
  
• Confidential-only submissions are permitted and are treated equally. The only limitation is that Chambers cannot use them for editorial purposes. 

We hope these insights help refine your approach to submissions and rankings. A full Q&A article containing in-depth answers will be published soon on our website.  

Click here to see the full recording of the webinar. Password: 8ctZDa$%

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