The session featured Maria Barras, Chief Legal and Public Affairs Officer at Booking.com, and Lance Barthouw-Amius, General Counsel and Head of Legal Affairs Service at UNHCR, who shared their perspectives on how the role of in-house counsel is evolving, as well as their expectations of external law firms.

If you were unable to attend, we have summarised the key takeaways below.

Research overview

Chambers highlighted the continued growth in engagement across its research process.

Across all guides, more than 64,500 submissions were received, alongside over 90,000 interviews and more than 265,000 survey responses. For the Europe 2026 Guide specifically, over 11,500 submissions were received, with the final rankings including 1,645 law firms and 14,812 lawyers. In total, more than 13,700 interviews were conducted.

As highlighted during the webinar, it is this depth and consistency of research that allows Chambers to produce an accurate, year-on-year reflection of the legal markets it covers.

Updates to the Europe Guide

This year’s guide also includes several structural updates across jurisdictions.

In the Netherlands, Corporate M&A has been divided into three value-based tables. In Italy, standalone Litigation and Arbitration sections have been introduced, while in Spain, the Tax category now includes elite and higher regarded sub-tables.

All practice areas were reviewed based on the sophistication of work, team depth, client feedback and overall quality of service.

The evolving role of General Counsel

A key theme throughout the discussion was the increasing influence of in-house legal teams.

Maria Barras noted that, in both Europe and the US, between 70% and 85% of General Counsel now report directly to the CEO. This shift reflects the growing importance of legal within organisations and its closer alignment with business leadership.

She also highlighted a significant change in the composition of legal teams. Departments are becoming more multidisciplinary, incorporating a wider range of expertise beyond traditional legal roles. In her own team, approximately half are lawyers, while the other half include professionals from areas such as data, compliance and policy.

This reflects a broader shift in how legal departments operate, with responsibilities spanning value protection, business enablement and industry leadership.

Legal as a strategic function

The webinar also emphasised the increasingly strategic role of legal teams within organisations.

General Counsel are now more actively involved in leadership discussions and strategic planning. Being part of these conversations allows legal teams to contribute earlier in the decision-making process, helping shape strategy rather than simply reviewing it at a later stage.

This approach also helps position legal teams as enablers of the business, supporting execution rather than being perceived as a barrier.

The impact of AI

AI was another major focus of the discussion, with in-house teams already exploring its potential.

Maria Barras described how her team is actively experimenting with different tools and approaches, noting that this remains a period of exploration. She highlighted several key learnings:

• The importance of ongoing experimentation at both individual and team level
• The need to balance broad experimentation with focused, department-wide progress
• The role of AI in enhancing quality, not just improving efficiency
• A shift towards rethinking entire workflows, rather than simply automating individual tasks

Overall, AI was described as a catalyst for change, encouraging legal teams to rethink how they operate.

Expectations of law firms

The session also provided clear insight into what in-house counsel expect from external law firms.

Maria Barras emphasised the importance of receiving advice that supports decision-making, rather than advice that is overly cautious or difficult to apply in practice. She also noted that law firms should invest time in understanding the broader context in which their clients operate, including business priorities and strategic objectives.

Proactivity was another key theme. Law firms are expected to provide insights based on their wider market experience, helping clients understand how similar challenges are being addressed elsewhere.

More broadly, there is an expectation that law firms work closely with in-house teams, operating as a single, integrated team.

AI and law firms

AI is also shaping expectations of law firms.

From an in-house perspective, firms are expected to use these tools to improve speed of execution, deliver more data-driven insights and increase overall efficiency. At the same time, there is an expectation that firms are transparent about how AI is used and understand the associated risks.

The discussion also touched on the potential for AI to influence law firm business models, particularly in relation to pricing structures.

The UNHCR perspective

Lance Barthouw-Amius provided a perspective shaped by the unique environment in which UNHCR operates.

His team supports operations across multiple jurisdictions, often in complex and high-risk environments, where decisions need to be made quickly and based on imperfect information. This requires a highly practical, solution-oriented approach.

He highlighted several developments within his team, including increased legal sophistication, a growing focus on technology and AI, and stronger collaboration with law firms and private sector partners.

Working with law firms

From UNHCR’s perspective, strong partnerships with law firms are built on shared values and collaboration.

A genuine pro bono commitment is an important factor, but the focus is also on working together on matters that are strategically important. Law firms are expected to bring their full expertise to these engagements and to work as long-term partners.

Ongoing communication and feedback are also key to maintaining effective working relationships.

Final thoughts

The webinar highlighted how the role of in-house counsel continues to evolve.

Legal teams are becoming more influential, more integrated into business strategy and more open to new ways of working. As a result, expectations of law firms are also changing.

For firms looking to strengthen their position in legal directories, these insights provide a clear indication of what matters most to in-house clients today.

The post Webinar Watch: Chambers Europe 2026 Guide Launch 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.

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!

The post Chambers Success Strategies: Key Insights from the Webinar Q&A appeared first on Tier One Rankings.

Chambers UK has just launched its 2025 guide, the most comprehensive yet, offering invaluable insights into the UK legal market. This year’s guide introduces over 200 new department recognitions and a 6.5% increase in lawyer rankings, with more than 600 new entries, 370 of which are women. With 57,000 responses and seven months of research, Chambers continues to set the gold standard for legal rankings.

New Initiatives and Market Trends

One of the standout updates in this release is Chambers’ growing focus on gender diversity. Over the past three years, they’ve added over 1,000 women to their rankings and have nearly closed the gap to a 60/40 ratio of ranked men to women. In addition, Chambers has enhanced its ability to highlight niche firms through the introduction of new tables, such as SME-focused firms and dispute resolution specialists.

The SME-focused category is a significant addition. It’s aimed at recognizing firms that excel in serving small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), a client base that’s seen a 24% rise since 2010. These firms often cater to very different needs compared to larger corporations, and Chambers is now offering more targeted rankings to reflect this. More about the SME-focused table in our previous blog post https://tieronerankings.com/introducing-chambers-uks-new-opportunity-for-sme-focused-law-firms/.

Refined Categories and Sector Focus

Chambers is also introducing more refined categories to better address changes in the legal market. For instance, the decline of PFI and PPP projects has led to a shift towards two key categories: “Projects Domestic” and “Projects International,” which streamline Chambers’ recognition of project-related work.

At the same time, the guide has discontinued less active categories such as Retail: Corporate & Competition and Aviation: Commercial, reflecting evolving market priorities.

AI-related legal work has also become a central theme in this year’s submissions. More firms are now engaged in AI governance, data protection, and intellectual property issues. Chambers’ analysts noted a surge in AI-related cases across multiple sectors, reflecting the technology’s growing influence on business strategy and legal frameworks.

Litigation Market and Future Rankings

Chambers has also highlighted shifts in the litigation market, with a new table for dispute resolution specialist firms. Litigation boutiques have been on the rise, offering personalized service at competitive rates. This year’s guide shines a light on 15 firms in this growing space.

Additionally, for the UK 2026 guide, Chambers will be expanding its ranking criteria by asking firms to provide 20 referees, particularly in the SME-focused category. This will offer deeper insight into what makes a firm an ideal fit for SME clients and help expand the rankings in this area.

Upcoming Awards and Looking Ahead

Chambers also announced its inaugural UK Solicitors Awards, set for February 13, 2025. These awards will recognize the top-performing legal teams in over 20 categories, ranging from finance to pro bono work, and will be a major event to watch for industry leaders.

Chambers continues to evolve alongside the UK legal market. By expanding its categories and adapting its research methods, the guide ensures that it remains a vital resource for firms and clients alike. With the legal landscape shifting rapidly—thanks to factors like AI, gender diversity, and SME growth—Chambers UK’s rankings reflect not only the best firms today but also those leading tomorrow’s trends.

The post Chambers UK Guide Launch 2025 – Webinar Watch appeared first on Tier One Rankings.

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.

The post Legal 500 US ‘Meet the Editor’ Webinar Watch: Key Takeaways for US Law Firms appeared first on Tier One Rankings.

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.

The post Legal 500 EMEA 2025: Insights from ‘Meet The Editor’ Webinar 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.

Key Takeaways:

• Departmental Rankings: Dentons paves the way, with a diverse geographic footprint, showcasing its stronghold in the 2024 rankings alongside Al Tamimi & Company, Bowmans, ENSafrica, and Allen & Overy LLP, among many others.
• Regional Spotlight: The legal prowess of firms in Africa and the Middle East, particularly ENSafrica and Al Tamimi & Company, highlights the region’s growing influence in the global legal market.
• New Practice Areas: The introduction of niche-focused tables, such as Africa-Wide Banking & Finance and UAE Venture Capital & Emerging Companies, responds to the evolving needs of clients in these markets.
• Cross-Border Expertise: Firms like Baker McKenzie and DLA Piper, with their far-reaching global services, exemplify the critical importance of international legal capabilities in today’s market. They are far from alone. 
• Litigation and Arbitration Trends: The focus on sectors like energy and ESG-related disputes, along with the rise of AI in arbitration, underscores the shifting landscape of dispute resolution.
• Diversity in Law: The increase in rankings for women lawyers in jurisdictions like Angola and Ghana marks a step in the right direction toward gender diversity in the African legal market.
• Offshore Jurisdictions: Emerging trends in regulation and ESG principles in places like the Cayman Islands and Bermuda reflect the legal industry’s alignment with global sustainability goals.

The post Chambers Webinar Brief: A 2024 Rankings Snapshot appeared first on Tier One Rankings.

How are the rankings determined?

The IFLR1000 rankings are determined based on a comprehensive evaluation process that involves the following four key components:

1. Deal Highlight:

This aspect focuses on the significant legal transactions and projects undertaken by law firms. It assesses the complexity, innovation, and impact of these deals, allowing firms to showcase their expertise in various practice areas.

2. Client Survey:

Client feedback plays a crucial role in the IFLR1000 rankings. The client survey component involves obtaining input from clients who have worked with the law firm during the research period. The survey seeks to gauge client satisfaction, the effectiveness of legal services, and the overall client-firm relationship.

3. Partner Interviews:

Partner interviews provide an opportunity for IFLR1000 researchers to engage directly with key partners at law firms. These interviews delve into the firm’s capabilities, expertise, and notable achievements. Partners may provide insights into the strategic direction of the firm and elaborate on their roles in significant deals.

4. Lawyer Survey:

The lawyer survey is a critical component and will be relied on more heavily this year, especially in light of the change from evaluating 20 matters to 10. It allows lawyers, especially junior lawyers nominated in the Rising Stars categories, to highlight their individual contributions. This survey provides a more nuanced view of the firm’s talent pool and acknowledges the diverse contributions of legal professionals.

Why the Shift from 20 Matters to 10?

• The shift from evaluating 20 matters to 10 is a strategic move aimed at enhancing the competitive aspect of rankings. The change encourages law firms to focus on the most impactful and impressive projects, providing detailed insights into innovative, impactful, and challenging cases.

What are the main guidelines when crafting the work highlights: 

• Context is Key: avoid leaving sections blank, as it makes it harder for researchers to judge.
• Ensure that you are looking at practice areas relevant to your jurisdiction and reviewing the definitions before selecting matters.
• Provide articulate and digestible information that can be easily benchmarked against other firms.
• Focus on the most impactful work and explain why a case was innovative, impactful, or challenging.
• Deal Values: Include deal values when possible. 
• DEI & ESG: Fill in information related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, as well as Environmental, Social, and Governance initiatives. It can demonstrate the firms level of sophistication. 

How many referees can I include?

• Include as many client referees as possible, picking those willing to participate.
• Inform clients beforehand to increase engagement
• Nominate referees capable of providing comparative, tailored feedback about lawyers and the firm. This feedback is more valuable to your ranking than a generic one. 

Please note: IFLR1000 is also considering introducing client discovery calls to enhance the quality of feedback so your refers may be approached to set up a call. 

How can I boost my individual ranking? 

• Add significant work in the work highlights
• Use the lawyer nomination section of the submission to make your case in a short concise matter that is relevant for the research period, highlight evidence, wins, and recognitions, and DON’T repeat your website biography information. 
• Provide valuable, available referees.
• The lawyer survey – given the change from 20 matters to 10, the lawyer survey provides an opportunity for all lawyers, especially rising star partners, and rising star associates to showcase their contributions. 

If I was interviewed last year, will I be interviewed this year as well?

IFLR1000 tries to rotate the firms getting interviewed to get an objective view of the market so you may not be approached year after year. However, firms can reach out to IFLR1000 if they wish to participate in partner interviews.

Staying informed about the IFLR1000’s ranking criteria and incorporating the recommended tips into your submissions will not only enhance your firm’s visibility but also contribute to a more accurate and comprehensive assessment of your legal expertise.

The post IFLR1000 2024: Insights from a Q&A Webinar by IFLR1000 Global Editor, Danielle Ngwana-Joseph  appeared first on Tier One Rankings.

Firms are assessed based on their technical legal ability, commercial awareness, business understanding, diligence, and, significantly, the depth of their team and the quality of client service. Despite the weight of client feedback, a firm must focus its efforts on demonstrating market-leading work.

Chambers’ own practical tips underline clarity and impact. It advises firms to be concise, avoid marketing jargon, and prioritize verifiable information over other directory rankings. Highlight descriptions should address the significance of the work, ideally falling within 12 months of the submission deadline. Moreover, firms are encouraged to update ongoing matters to reflect recent progress.

Expansion in Referee Submissions and New Sections

Recognizing areas with high potential for economic growth and legal market expansion, Chambers has increased the limit of accepted referees from 20 to 30 in certain jurisdictions. This applies to markets such as the Cayman Islands, Israel, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates.

New submissions sections have also been unveiled, addressing specific areas of legal practice. Notably, the Africa-wide Banking and Finance category is seeking firms that excel in cross-border transactions, excluding project finance which is reserved for the Projects and Energy section. Furthermore, Chambers is sharpening its focus on Kenya and Nigeria with the introduction of competition and tax submissions. In the United Arab Emirates, a new section dedicated to Venture Capital and Emerging Companies has been distinguished from the broader Corporate M&A coverage, spotlighting transactional work for startups.

Upcoming Events and Key Dates The webinar culminated with the announcement of key dates and upcoming events. Law firms are urged to note these carefully, as submission deadlines have varied from previous years.

• Chambers Africa Awards: Virtual ceremony on January 24, 2024.
• Middle East Awards: In-person at Conrad Hotel, Dubai, March 7, 2024.
• 2024 Rankings Release: February 15, 2024.

Submission Deadlines for 2024 Research Cycle:

• February 21
• April 17
• May 30

The post From Submission to Ranking: Chambers Explained appeared first on Tier One Rankings.