Tier One Rankings https://tieronerankings.com/ help you succeed with your directories and awards submissions Wed, 30 Jul 2025 09:25:07 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.2 https://tieronerankings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/cropped-android-chrome-512x512-1-32x32.png Tier One Rankings https://tieronerankings.com/ 32 32 Legal 500 EMEA Webinar – Our Recap https://tieronerankings.com/legal500emeawebinarourrecap/ https://tieronerankings.com/legal500emeawebinarourrecap/#respond Wed, 30 Jul 2025 09:25:06 +0000 https://tieronerankings.com/?p=2392 The recent Legal 500 webinar, held on the 24 July 2025, offered valuable insights for law firm marketing and business development professionals preparing for the upcoming research cycle. With over 60,000 submissions reviewed each year and feedback from more than 300,000 commercial law firm clients, the competition for recognition is intense! The session covered both […]

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The recent Legal 500 webinar, held on the 24 July 2025, offered valuable insights for law firm marketing and business development professionals preparing for the upcoming research cycle. With over 60,000 submissions reviewed each year and feedback from more than 300,000 commercial law firm clients, the competition for recognition is intense!

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.

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Key Insights from Our Legal500 Webinar: How to Strengthen Your Directory Submissions https://tieronerankings.com/key-insights-from-our-legal500-webinar-how-to-strengthen-your-directory-submissions/ https://tieronerankings.com/key-insights-from-our-legal500-webinar-how-to-strengthen-your-directory-submissions/#respond Fri, 25 Jul 2025 14:19:30 +0000 https://tieronerankings.com/?p=2360 Last week, Laurence Mussett and Lena Martin hosted a live webinar exploring the Legal500 submissions process and how law firms can position themselves effectively for improved rankings.For those who couldn’t attend, we’ve compiled the most important takeaways below —offering a comprehensive guide to what Legal500 looks for, how to approach your submissions strategically, and tips […]

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Last week, Laurence Mussett and Lena Martin hosted a live webinar exploring the Legal500 submissions process and how law firms can position themselves effectively for improved rankings.
For those who couldn’t attend, we’ve compiled the most important takeaways below —
offering a comprehensive guide to what Legal500 looks for, how to approach your submissions strategically, and tips to avoid common pitfalls.

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&*)

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Legal 500 – Expert tips for the EMEA deadline – Follow Up https://tieronerankings.com/legal-500-expert-tips-for-the-emea-deadline-follow-up/ https://tieronerankings.com/legal-500-expert-tips-for-the-emea-deadline-follow-up/#respond Mon, 21 Jul 2025 19:39:51 +0000 https://tieronerankings.com/?p=2352 Thank you for attending last Thursday’s webinar: Legal 500 – Expert tips for the EMEA deadline. We hope it helped clarify some of the grey areas and provided valuable insights. Below you will find key takeaways, as well as the link to the recording.  Here are some of the key points we covered: A question […]

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Thank you for attending last Thursday’s webinar: Legal 500 – Expert tips for the EMEA deadline. We hope it helped clarify some of the grey areas and provided valuable insights. Below you will find key takeaways, as well as the link to the recording. 

Here are some of the key points we covered:

  • Work highlights carry the most weight in Legal 500 submissions. While referee and market feedback can help justify a ranking, they hold less influence than the quality and substance of the matters you present.
  • Researchers will assess your firm’s overall team strength and depth of capability, not just your star partners. Be sure to reflect this by highlighting a broad range of lawyers involved in matters, as well as any firms you’ve collaborated with.
  • Present a strong and diverse client roster to showcase the breadth and quality of your practice.
  • Be strategic and concise when describing matters. Clearly explain why each piece of work is complex, innovative, and impactful.
  • Secure referee consent in advance and keep them informed when the research process begins. Ask them to whitelist Legal 500’s email addresses to ensure they receive the requests. Choose referees who are available and responsive, regardless of seniority.
  • Watch out for updates in practice areas and terminology (https://www.legal500.com/the-legal-500-submission-information/europe-middle-east-africa-emea-submissions/). Legal 500 periodically introduces changes, so stay informed to ensure alignment

A question came up in the chat that we didn’t address at the time—regarding where Of Counsel can be ranked in Legal 500 submissions. Legal500 tries to align counsels with the experience levels typically reflected in the individual categories. For instance, an Of Counsel with 10–20 years’ experience would be considered for the Leading Individual or Next Generation Partner categories, rather than Leading Associate. Conversely, a more junior counsel may be considered for Leading Associate

We recommend that the firm nominate the individual for the category that best reflects their experience, and the editorial team will then assess the suitability accordingly.

Click here to watch the full recording of the webinar (Passcode: OEKy#3&*)

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Webinar: Legal 500 – Expert tips for the EMEA deadline https://tieronerankings.com/webinar-legal-500-expert-tips-for-the-emea-deadline/ https://tieronerankings.com/webinar-legal-500-expert-tips-for-the-emea-deadline/#respond Thu, 03 Jul 2025 19:40:08 +0000 https://tieronerankings.com/?p=2355 Are you looking to improve your firm’s position in the Legal 500 rankings — or aiming to break in for the first time? If you’re unsure how the research process works, which matters to highlight, or how to make the most of your submission, this webinar is for you. 📅 Date: July 17th🕐 Time: 14:00 PM (UK)📍 Format: Live Webinar + Q&A Join Editor […]

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Are you looking to improve your firm’s position in the Legal 500 rankings — or aiming to break in for the first time? If you’re unsure how the research process works, which matters to highlight, or how to make the most of your submission, this webinar is for you.

📅 Date: July 17th
🕐 Time: 14:00 PM (UK)
📍 Format: Live Webinar + Q&A

Join Editor Laurence Mussett and Submissions Consultant Lena Martin for a practical session covering everything you need to know about Legal500 and how to strengthen your Legal500 submissions.

What You’ll Learn:
✔How the Legal 500 research & ranking process works
✔How to craft standout submissions that showcase your best work
✔Key tips for selecting and managing referees
✔How Legal 500 differs from Chambers & Partners
✔Live Q&A to get your specific questions answered

Whether you’re a partner, legal marketer, or BD professional, this webinar will give you practical strategies and expert insight to help you succeed.

Feel free to send your questions in advance to Laurence or to Lena!

👉 Register now: https://lnkd.in/exZP7R4j

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Making Your Insight Report Work for You https://tieronerankings.com/making-your-insight-report-work-for-you/ https://tieronerankings.com/making-your-insight-report-work-for-you/#respond Sun, 22 Jun 2025 09:02:11 +0000 https://tieronerankings.com/?p=2348 Insight offers a wide range of practice areas to choose from, enabling purchasers to create a report that suits their interests, budget, and strategic goals. However, not every area of interest will necessarily be value for money, so it is important to select chapters carefully and to know the scope of the product, as these […]

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Insight offers a wide range of practice areas to choose from, enabling purchasers to create a report that suits their interests, budget, and strategic goals. However, not every area of interest will necessarily be value for money, so it is important to select chapters carefully and to know the scope of the product, as these should help set realistic expectations.

Let’s talk therefore today about tips for picking chapters and what the Insight report can and can’t do, to ensure you are getting the product you are expecting.

Tips for choosing chapters and practice areas

Focus on areas you have submitted to

You don’t have to be ranked in a table to buy Insight for it. However, you should really have submitted to it. Submissions and referee lists give Research extra information for their ranking decisions, which should enable a more detailed assessment of your performance compared with a report on an area you have not submitted to.

Consider regional before country/continent-wide

This is not a hard-and-fast rule, and any decisions will depend on the scale and scope of your practice. However, before settling on any country- or continent-wide chapters (e.g. Nationwide, Africa-wide, Europe-wide), it is important to know how these areas are researched and what content is included in them.

These chapters are standalone practice areas. Therefore, any analysis will be about a firm’s performance in that chapter rather than a detailed look at its local practices. References to regional practices will likely be in passing rather than in-depth.

Feedback could be minimal. Some, but not all, of these tables are based on existing research, and separate interviews are not therefore conducted. 

Tables could require extensive local footprints. Firms that are only in one jurisdiction or lack a prominent practice in one of the area’s major markets might struggle to break into these rankings.

In short, country- and continent-wide tables might not always be best for your circumstances, and a report into a local practice area might be more useful. However, each decision should always be handled on a case-by-case basis in conjunction with the Chambers Sales team.

Tips for a smooth experience

Be clear about which tables you want

Practice areas can be complicated at Chambers, with an array of parent and child tables to submit to. This helps Research capture the nuances of the market but can create uncertainty for Insight. Firms might therefore find it more straightforward to provide separate submissions whenever possible and to only order chapters that accept submissions.

An example of this might be submitting to and ordering TMT versus submitting to and ordering TMT: Data Protection, TMT: Media, and TMT: Telecommunications. If firms can’t be ranked in TMT, then there could be delays as Chambers gets in touch to determine which child table was meant. Additionally, Chambers might also request additional payment for the extra child tables, potentially souring the experience and resulting in a dislocation of expectations.

Submitting to and ordering each of the three child tables separately could avoid this, as the Insight team would know from the start which tables were expected, and firms would know what they have bought and will receive. Moreover, separate submissions allow firms to provide three sets of work highlights rather than splitting one set among three areas, enabling them to better showcase their activity.

Of course, not every parent-child split accepts separate submissions, but engaging when they do can help purchasers be clear about their order, providing certainty over expenditure, timeframes, and report makeup.

Understand the scope of the Insight report

Knowing what Insight does and does not offer can help set expectations and inform purchasing decisions before any contracts are signed, helping foster a more positive experience with the product.

Geographical scope. As touched upon earlier, chapters like Nationwide are standalone tables rather than cost-effective ways to gain analysis and feedback about all local practices. Feedback on and in-depth assessments of local practices will likely only be provided in local chapters.

Individual analyses. Firms unsurprisingly want to know how individuals can break into the tables. However, Research and Insight can often be limited in the amount of advice and detail they can give about unranked lawyers. First, the data might just not be there (if the lawyer wasn’t garnering much attention in interview or lacked evidence of work). Second, it is not always possible for Research to make detailed notes about all unranked lawyers, given the number of unranked names they process each year.

Therefore, when purchasing Insight, be aware that only lawyers who are ranked, who are considered internally as Potentials for a ranking, or who have lost their ranking or internal Potential designation this year will receive an analysis.

Nevertheless, there are steps you can take when submitting to increase the profile of other individuals whom you feel are deserving of consideration, which might in turn lead to progress within the Chambers ecosystem. Tier One Rankings is on hand to assist with this.

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Chambers and Partners Adjusts Israel Research Schedule Amid Ongoing Situation https://tieronerankings.com/chambers-and-partners-adjusts-israel-research-schedule-amid-ongoing-situation/ https://tieronerankings.com/chambers-and-partners-adjusts-israel-research-schedule-amid-ongoing-situation/#respond Wed, 18 Jun 2025 14:00:08 +0000 https://tieronerankings.com/?p=2344 Chambers and Partners Adjusts Israel Research Schedule Amid Ongoing Crisis In light of the recent escalation in Israel, Tier One Rankings have reached out to Chambers and Partners to ask if they will be able to make any adjustments to its approach its currently ongoing research. As a result, Chambers have now made the following […]

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Chambers and Partners Adjusts Israel Research Schedule Amid Ongoing Crisis

In light of the recent escalation in Israel, Tier One Rankings have reached out to Chambers and Partners to ask if they will be able to make any adjustments to its approach its currently ongoing research. As a result, Chambers have now made the following announcement about their research schedule, showing a flexible and empathetic approach toward the affected legal community.

Acknowledgement of the Current Situation

Chambers has expressed concern for those impacted and extended hopes for a swift resolution to the crisis. While it is committed to maintaining a full research agenda and will aim to complete its research cycle this year, it has recognised the unique challenges currently facing Israeli law firms and legal professionals.

Revised Research Timeline

To accommodate disruptions, Chambers will delay the start of research for key practice areas in Israel:

Corporate/M&A, White-Collar Crime, and Dispute Resolution (including Class Actions): Research will now begin on July 7, 2025.
Projects & Energy and Environment: Research is scheduled to commence on July 21, 2025.
Other Israel Sections: These will begin in late July to early August, with no changes anticipated at this time.

Referee Outreach and Ranking Considerations

Understanding the potential for delays in referee feedback, Chambers is considering broader use of surveys and is prepared to accommodate lower-than-usual response rates. They have assured firms that these challenges will be taken into account when finalising rankings.

Commitment to Monitoring the Situation

Chambers reaffirmed its commitment to closely monitor developments and will adapt further if necessary. The team emphasised its readiness to maintain open communication with firms throughout the process.

This move reflects a sensitive and proactive stance during a difficult period, reinforcing Chambers and Partners’ commitment to fairness and collaboration.

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Chambers USA 2025 Webinar – Key Takeaways https://tieronerankings.com/tier-one-rankings-chambers-usa-launch-2026/ https://tieronerankings.com/tier-one-rankings-chambers-usa-launch-2026/#respond Thu, 05 Jun 2025 16:47:55 +0000 https://tieronerankings.com/?p=2332 On June 5, Chambers and Partners released its 2025 USA Guide, offering a detailed look at the changing legal landscape in the U.S., backed by 70,000+ responses from clients and professionals. Spotlight Expands to New States and Firms The Chambers Spotlight initiative, designed to highlight small and midsize firms, expanded its scope significantly in 2025. The program […]

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On June 5, Chambers and Partners released its 2025 USA Guide, offering a detailed look at the changing legal landscape in the U.S., backed by 70,000+ responses from clients and professionals.

Spotlight Expands to New States and Firms

The Chambers Spotlight initiative, designed to highlight small and midsize firms, expanded its scope significantly in 2025. The program introduced rankings for Ohio, Illinois, and California, bringing the total to 888 firms ranked across 40 practice areas in seven states.

According to Chambers, the Spotlight ranking table received 21,000 views last year, suggesting increased interest in regional legal markets. New rankings for Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Georgia are expected to be published within the next six months.

Introduction of Market Pulse 

Chambers also launched Market Pulse, a new research product aimed at business development teams. Powered by 200,000 data points from law firm clients, it provides insights into regional trends and external factors shaping demand for legal services.

Major Trends

Among the key themes identified this year were:

  • Growing client concern over an uncertain regulatory environment
  • Ongoing economic volatility
  • Increased demand for legal advice in specialized areas, such as tariff regimes and alternative fund structures

Debut Rankings for AI and Space Law

Chambers introduced two new practice area rankings in 2025: Artificial Intelligence and Space Law.

Chambers’ new AI Law ranking reflects growing client demand for legal advice on AI development, regulation, and disputes. While adoption varies, interest in internal tools and global compliance is rising. Despite cost and implementation hurdles, firms recognize AI’s long-term value.

The Space Law ranking highlights the surge in legal work around commercial space ventures, like private stations and space mining, as the ISS nears retirement. Legal needs are outpacing regulation, and only a few lawyers have the niche expertise required—making them highly sought after.

Legal Spend, Pricing Models, and Fee Sensitivity

The 2025 research also focused on how clients select external legal counsel. One recurring theme was cost sensitivity. Chambers reported that rack rates increased by approximately 9% in the first quarter of the year.

In-house counsel interviewed by Chambers indicated that the combination of rising fees and economic instability is leading them to seek alternatives to hourly billing. There is greater openness to:

  • Alternative Fee Arrangements (AFAs)
  • Outcome-based billing
  • Blended rates for routine legal tasks

Clients also reported a growing emphasis on efficiency and innovation in service delivery, with many turning to legal providers who demonstrate strong technology integration and less reliance on labor-intensive processes.

Evolving Client Relationships

Clients now value deeper, long-term partnerships—especially through secondments, which help with both cost control and stronger collaboration. Firms that use shared tech, work closely with in-house teams, and go beyond basic legal work are preferred.

The focus is shifting from just legal advice to a full client experience, where innovation, flexibility, and teamwork are just as important as legal skills.

Firms that embrace this approach are more likely to attract and keep top-tier clients in today’s competitive, cost-conscious market.

Key resources

The first submission deadline is July 10th, 2025. The full research scedule can be found here.

The full list of research coverage can be found here

Research for the Chambers USA 2026 Guide will begin in August this year.

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Tier One Rankings Monthly Newsletter, June 2025 https://tieronerankings.com/tier-one-rankings-monthly-newsletter-june-2025/ https://tieronerankings.com/tier-one-rankings-monthly-newsletter-june-2025/#respond Wed, 04 Jun 2025 14:36:03 +0000 https://tieronerankings.com/?p=2330 Welcome to our June edition of Tier One Rankings newsletter. Tier One Rankings, powered by Nishlis Legal Marketing, invite you to two in-person events – a legal directories briefing in Prague, June 10th, and a happy hour for legal marketing colleagues, specifically those devoted to submissions, June 25th in London. 🍸 London Happy Hour – […]

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Welcome to our June edition of Tier One Rankings newsletter. Tier One Rankings, powered by Nishlis Legal Marketing, invite you to two in-person events – a legal directories briefing in Prague, June 10th, and a happy hour for legal marketing colleagues, specifically those devoted to submissions, June 25th in London.

🍸 London Happy Hour – June 25

Join us for an exclusive Happy Hour at The Albion in London!

This event is for legal marketers specializing in rankings, directories, and awards. It’s a fantastic opportunity to network, exchange tips, and unwind.

👉 Register now to secure your spot!

🇨🇿 Prague Legal Directories Briefing – June 10

Confused by legal directories? Want to improve your firm’s rankings?

Join us in Prague for a practical briefing led by the Tier One Rankings team.

Open to law firm marketing departments.

👉 Click here to register: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/legal-directories-tips-tricks-and-insights-tickets-1369959528829?aff=oddtdtcreator

🌈 Celebrating Pride Month

We proudly celebrate Pride Month and reaffirm our commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Check out Daniela Spiro’s insightful article on DEI efforts in legal directories like Chambers and Legal 500.

📝 Must-Read: Robert Charters on Chambers Insight

Our Submissions Editor, Robert Charters , with a decade of experience in Chambers’ Insight department, shares expert guidance on how to select and leverage Insight effectively.

📺 Missed Our Researcher’s Webinar?

Don’t worry—Blessing Adeagbo and Lena Martin share their key takeaways. A video recording of the webinar is now available!

🧠 Perfect for sharpening your approach to submissions and rankings.

👩‍🍳 Recipe for Perfect Referee Feedback – A Baking Day Special

Celebrate International Baking Day with our fun (and practical) recipe for excellent referee feedback in legal submissions.

🥣 2 cups referee availability

🍰 1 tbsp recent work

🧁 ¾ cup familiarity with the partner

☕ 1 shot memorable adjectives

🍮 Generous praise for the team

🧂 Pinch of comparison

Full instructions in the monthly newsletter— share your version with us!

📢 IAM Patent 1000 – 2025 Edition Now Live

Explore the top global patent professionals and service providers.

IAM subscribers also gain access to in-depth analytics and benchmarking tools.

📅 Legal 500 EMEA – Submission Deadlines Announced

Mark your calendars for Monday, 4 August 2025.

Important for editorial and referee deadlines — including for the Nordics.

Legal 500 has also updated and expanded several categories.

💡 Don’t miss our expert tips on standout submissions!

🏆 Women in Business Law Awards – EMEA 2025 Shortlist Announced!

We’re thrilled that every single client we submitted has made the shortlist.

Congratulations to all firms recognized — your work continues to inspire!

💫 Talent Insights from Chambers and Partners

A must-read report on what attracts and retains top legal talent — essential insights for law firms planning long-term growth.

Click to read the monthly newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/nishlis/tier-one-newsletter-17298165

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London Legal Marketing Happy Hour https://tieronerankings.com/london-legal-marketing-happy-hour/ https://tieronerankings.com/london-legal-marketing-happy-hour/#respond Tue, 03 Jun 2025 17:30:09 +0000 https://tieronerankings.com/?p=2327 Tier One Rankings, powered by Nishlis Legal Marketing, invites legal marketers who focus on rankings, directories, and awards submissions to a special evening of networking and socializing. 📅 Date: June 25th🕔 Time: 5:00 PM📍 Location: The Albion, 2–3 New Bridge Street, London Whether you’re managing submissions, crafting awards, or navigating the world of legal directories, this event is a great opportunity to swap tips, share […]

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Tier One Rankings, powered by Nishlis Legal Marketing, invites legal marketers who focus on rankings, directories, and awards submissions to a special evening of networking and socializing.

📅 Date: June 25th
🕔 Time: 5:00 PM
📍 Location: The Albion, 2–3 New Bridge Street, London

Whether you’re managing submissions, crafting awards, or navigating the world of legal directories, this event is a great opportunity to swap tips, share challenges, and connect with peers who speak your language.

👉 Registration is required — sign up now to secure your spot!

We look forward to raising a glass with you!

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The Insight Track to Improving Your Chambers Ranking https://tieronerankings.com/the-insight-track-to-improving-your-chambers-ranking/ https://tieronerankings.com/the-insight-track-to-improving-your-chambers-ranking/#respond Fri, 23 May 2025 09:20:45 +0000 https://tieronerankings.com/?p=2247 A ranking from Chambers and Partners is among the most sought-after and trusted accolades in the legal profession, given the company’s long history, global reach, and significant brand recognition. However, knowing how to attain or improve a ranking can be challenging – especially if your position has remained static despite years of engagement with the […]

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A ranking from Chambers and Partners is among the most sought-after and trusted accolades in the legal profession, given the company’s long history, global reach, and significant brand recognition. However, knowing how to attain or improve a ranking can be challenging – especially if your position has remained static despite years of engagement with the Chambers research process.

Chambers does offer solutions to this problem, front and centre being Insight, which it claims will provide you with “tailored guidance to improve your firm’s rankings.” This sounds promising, but what can you expect if you buy?

Let’s talk about this product in this forthcoming series of articles, starting with what an Insight report actually is and contains. Join me for the insight scoop.

Insight is a bespoke, paid-for online business report that aims to give firms a clearer understanding of their performance in current research and, by extension, the rationale behind Chambers’ ranking decisions.

Firms can choose to purchase by guide and practice area, allowing them to tailor the size and focus of their order. For example, a firm could get a report on its entire practice, or on just the tables it wants to improve in, or on something in between.

Reports come in two varieties: the Client and Market Intelligence (CMI) report and the Client Intelligence (CI) report. But what is the difference in terms of content?

In short, the CMI has two main features a CI lacks: peer feedback and analysis of up to three other firms in the table in question. While these analyses do not divulge confidential information, they should shed light on what competitors are doing to earn their rankings.

For the overall team:


For individuals who this year have or have lost a ranking or an internal Potential designation:


For individuals without a ranking in the last 2+ years:

*Please note, these features are new additions for Europe 2025 and beyond. As a result, there might be a bedding-in period while Chambers builds up the data sets that power them. Certain features might not initially be included in the final version of the Insight report if they are drawing on incomplete data sets.

The choice of report type – or whether even to buy at all – will be a personal decision, informed by your department’s goals, budget, and intentions for the report. However, here are some possible uses and benefits for both products.

  • Gain an understanding of what Chambers thinks are your team’s and individuals’ strengths and weaknesses. Understanding how Chambers views your performance can help you pinpoint and address perceived areas of weakness.
  • Find out how your department might improve its performance. An Insight report’s recommendations for improvement can shed light on perceived successes or shortcomings in your work highlights and client response. Knowing this might provide clear pathways to stronger performances.
  • See what clients are saying about your team and individuals. Feedback is anonymised, allowing clients to speak honestly and openly about their experiences and opinions. These comments highlight aspects of the service that clients highly value and areas they think could do with addressing. By knowing what clients think, you can enhance your offering.
  • Obtain quotes for marketing purposes. As long as firms credit Chambers as the source, they can use any of the quotes in their Insight report for marketing, as testaments to their service standard.

CMI only

  • Learn what the market thinks. Insight into how other firms perceive your practice might give you a better idea of how to market yourself to ensure you are always putting your best foot forward.
  • Understand what competitors are doing differently or similarly. The analysis of other firms should shed light on what makes groups in higher tiers stand out. This can offer deeper insight into the factors underpinning these higher rankings.

Chambers offers two types of bespoke report for firms seeking to improve their rankings. Both the CI and the CMI provide insight into team and individual performances across Chambers’ research metrics and offer recommendations for improvement. However, the CMI goes further, for an added financial cost, providing customers with feedback from wider market sources and analysis of competitors’ strengths.

Neither report is necessary to attain or improve a Chambers ranking, but both can be a useful addition to a firm’s submission toolkit. By finding out what research thinks of your performance and where you are falling short, you can work to address these perceived weaknesses and present your practice to Chambers in the best light, which could in turn lead to progress within the guides.

About the Author: Robert Charters is a Legal Directories Editor at Tier One Rankings with a decade of experience as an editor and Principal Research Specialist on Chambers Insight.

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