An Overview of Big Law Firms
So what makes a law firm big anyway? Will I be working for a massive corporation, or a small firm that happens to have ‘big’ in the name? What we designate as big law is typically firms with 100 or more attorneys, often with multiple offices in different cities and countries. A true big law firm has attorneys in the hundreds and regularly draws in more than a billion dollars in revenue per year, but there are mega-firms out there that churn however much they need to stay in the multi-billion dollar revenue range. They range from the top 50 to the top 10 law firms based on size and revenue. A recent survey suggests the average law firm has around 20 lawyers but has about 50 clients. In contrast, big law firms are often so big that they might have more clients than lawyers. IBM may only work with a few hundred law firms on the face of it , but they’ve got dozens of subsidiaries that may all need separate, complex legal work. The types of litigation and general practice you’ll find at a big firm generally remain consistent around the world because the lawyer you’re talking to in Singapore is the same one you’ll be dealing with in London and New York. With regional law firms, you’re more likely to find them that have a specialty and then draw on partnerships that allow them to expand their reach behind their native country’s borders. The sheer size of a big law firm means you’ll probably only do work for a small group of clients, and you won’t work on every case a single client brings forth. Even if the firm specializes in real estate, each attorney may work for several clients who need assistance with real estate transactions.
The Perks of a Big Law Firm
Big Law is able to provide resources and expertise that smaller firms simply can’t. For one, they have more experience than most law firms, and they have probably seen it all. In addition, because they are large, by definition, they have a wider reach and a larger database to draw from when needed.
If you are the type of client who needs sophisticated legal work done in a short time frame, you definitely want to consider hiring a big law firm. They will have all the resources to do a big project simultaneously. It doesn’t matter where that project is, either. A big law firm can have attorneys in plenty of different states or countries. They have a lot of professional contacts, so the attorneys at such a firm can get things done fast.
Remember, you are not their only client. If you have one thing, you don’t have to worry about it taking a backseat to another client’s. They have clients with plenty of modest and high-end legal needs. They also have clients who understand how law firms work and understand that they are one of many. This means a big law firm is going to be able to fit you into their schedule without much issue.
Big Law Firms Near Me
Locating the top rated big law firms near me requires the insight of a legal insider. While you can always hit Mason’s legal, we thought we would explore the top big law firms near us based on a variety of factors. As it turns out, finding candidates for the list is not the easiest task in the world. While there seems to be no shortage of large law firms around the country, weeding out the good from the bad takes some combination of experience, credential assessment and legal industry reporting.
We did not find any "do it yourself" ranking in our search for the top big law firms near me. To make things consistent with other lists out there, we decided to rename this list the best 200 law firms in the United States. Anyway this is going to be a new series or exploration of the best big law firms in the US using available resources.
When we say best big law firms in the United States were taking a look at the largest firms with regard to attorney time. This obviously means headcount, but can also mean revenue growth and other aspects of the mega law firm world. Note that in this list not every firm on here has office locations in every state.
Ropes and Gray: Ropes and Gray is arguably number one on this big league law firm list. Ropes is known for its private equity practice as well as top talent. Ropes and Gray represents some household names including Harvard University, BCG and Biogen. The firm has approximately 1,300 lawyers and over 170 partners. The firm is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts with offices across the United States, the Asia Pacific region, Europe and the United Kingdom.
Hogan Lovells: Hogan Lovells is the worst named law firm on the list. This law firm is a byproduct of a 2014 merger of Hogan & Hartson and Lovells. Sunstein could have merged with Hogan and Lovells instead of Covington. Hogan Lovells is known for something called HighQ, which is discussed on above the law. The firm has over 2,700 lawyers and five offices in the United States.
Hogan Lovells is considered a British American law firm. The firm boasts itself as a truly global law firm with 46 offices in 24 countries. The firm has grown through acquisitions, partnerships and mergers. Notable people associated with this firm include former President George H.W. Bush, former United States ambassadors, and former United States senators. This is the firm’s third year on this list.
Skadden Arp: Skadden Arp is a firm that is known for mergers and acquisitions as well as securities. The firm has around 1,700 lawyers and approximately 100 partners. The firm is headquartered in New York, New York with offices throughout the United States and around the world.
What to Look for in a Big Law Firm
When exploring options for big law firms near me, it’s obvious that the firm’s reputation is a huge factor to consider. Evidence of success is usually given through high profile cases and wins. But there are benefits to going with less well-known law firms. If your issue is straightforward, you may save significant amounts of your money when you don’t hire the biggest names in the field.
You also want to read reviews written by their past clients. Look for any complaints and how the firm rectified them. Remember, no one is perfect. The most important thing is how the problems were handled. Sometimes big law firms near me take on so much work, they forget a person’s case is of the utmost importance.
Cost is another major consideration. When you can afford it , going with the big guns is a good idea. However, if you’re not independently wealthy, then consider all of your options. Will this law firm actually give you benefits just for living in a certain neighborhood? Will they give you discounts for being in a union? How about payment plans for different law firms near me?
There are a few other factors to consider when searching the largest law firms near me. Consider how much expertise the law firm has in taking other clients in your particular situation. Also, look at their law firm culture. Does their decor set the tone of what they do? If your case is fun and lighthearted, then maybe you’re in the right place. But if you’re looking for something serious, and the staff seems like they’re having too much fun, then you should look elsewhere.
Customizing Your Experience with Big Law Firms
You might be surprised to learn that some lawyers at Big Law firms prefer focusing on smaller clients, or clients with limited, specific needs. While the size and reputation of a law firm can go a long way toward gaining the trust of clients, it’s not the only thing that matters.
Some large firms have a network of offices to better serve clients in multiple cities around the globe. Even though the firm may seem massive, lawyers working in a particular city tend to focus on a defined range of services. For example, a firm with an office in Omaha may have a niche in developmental or business law that suits the company’s need.
One of the best ways to solve your legal issue is to consult with a firm for in-person advice. Even among large firms, many of the best of the best are happy to meet prospective clients for consultations and private meetings, because they understand your legal needs and the importance of personal service.
How to Prepare for Your Meeting
When you reach out to big law firms in your area, the next step is often an initial consultation with a lawyer. Some law firms have a formal interview process where they solicit information from candidates via a standard questionnaire. Others may proceed to an interview immediately. While some law firms use graduated interview processes that usually culminate in a sit-down lunch or dinner, tiered approaches do not universally apply across big law firms. Whether you will be meeting with one lawyer, a group of lawyers or for a series of meetings, there are some important preparation steps that will allow you to get the most out of your meeting. You should also prepare a list of questions to ask each lawyer you meet with. Try to avoid questions that Google could easily answer. If you want to know whether your lawyer has handled a given type of case before, do some research beforehand on their past case history . You can also see if you know any mutual contacts on LinkedIn. Use the consultation as an opportunity to explore questions that only your lawyer could answer based on his or her unique experience. Some helpful questions include: If you are comfortable, this is also a great opportunity to share information about your personal situation and ask for comments on any challenges that you foresee. Finally, if you would like to hire the law firm after your meetings are concluded, it’s a good idea to let the primary lawyer know immediately after your last meeting. That way, they can instruct their administrative staff to produce client documents for you to sign; and they may even get started on your case immediately so that you don’t have to wait between signing the agreement and first appointment.