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.
