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&*)