Congratulations to all the law firms and individuals who feature in the new Asia Pacific rankings, and especially to those who appear for the first time.
Our 2020 guide recognises 687 law firms across 25 jurisdictions. The highest concentration of ranked firms is in China with 147 recommended. India (128), Hong Kong (90), Singapore (88), Malaysia (77), Australia (63), Philippines (52), Indonesia (50), New Zealand (43) and South Korea (43) complete the top ten largest jurisdictions by number of ranked firms. But which firms secured the most practice and lawyer rankings in 2020 and, by extension, the ultimate bragging rights?
Well, once again, congratulations are due to multinational firm Baker McKenzie, which came out on top with a total of 150 practice rankings across the whole of Asia Pacific. Following some way behind, the chasing pack contain almost exclusively international firms: DLA Piper (85); Herbert Smith Freehills (84); Norton Rose Fulbright (74); King & Wood Mallesons (68); Allen & Overy (67); Clifford Chance (62); Rajah & Tann (58); Dentons (57); and Ashurst (54).
Looking solely at the results of Tier 1 practices, Baker McKenzie once again leads the way with 82 top tier teams. Anglo-Australian Herbert Smith Freehills and Hong Kong-headquartered King & Wood Mallesons each have 43 Tier 1 rankings, some way ahead of the Magic Circle’s Clifford Chance (30), Allen & Overy (28), and Linklaters (24). With 29 Tier 1 rankings, regional giant Rajah & Tann lead the charge for home-grown Asian firms; China’s Zhong Lun Law Firm obtains 20 rankings; Singapore’s Allen & Gledhill takes home 19; and Sydney’s Allens rounds off the top ten with 19 top tier rankings.
Baker McKenzie continues its domination of our Asia Pacific rankings with a total of 144 Leading Individual rankings. With around half that number each come Herbert Smith Freehills (77), King & Wood Mallesons (73), and Australia’s MinterEllison (70). Allen & Overy and Clifford Chance are recognised with 54 and 53 leading lawyer recommendations, followed by Rajah & Tann (48), and multinationals Ashurst (46), DLA Piper (45), and Norton Rose Fulbright (42).
However, when it comes to our Next Generation Partners rankings, we have a new champion in town. King & Wood Mallesons lead the way with 46 new and up-and-coming partners of note, followed by Baker McKenzie (28), Allen & Overy (23), Clifford Chance (21), Herbert Smith Freehills (20), and Linklaters (19). Also of note are Ashurst (17), Japanese ‘Big Four’Mori Hamada & Matsumoto (17), DLA Piper (16), and, finally, South Korea’s Lee & Ko (16).
Baker McKenzie again returns to the fore with 40 Rising Star rankings, recognising the best associates across Asia Pacific. Herbert Smith Freehills (26), King & Wood Mallesons (26), Clifford Chance (22), Ashurst (21), Norton Rose Fulbright (20), DLA Piper (19), Allen & Overy (16), MinterEllison (13), and Linklaters (11) complete the now familiar list of best performing law firms.
Raising the Bar in 2021
So, that’s the 2020 rankings in a nutshell, with Baker McKenzie sitting triumphantly atop a pile of shiny rankings. But what about 2021? Well, guidelines for the next round of research have now been published online here. These guidelines include a number of new practice areas including Native Title in Australia, White-Collar Crime in Singapore, Private Client in India, and Fintech in Japan, among others.
Of particular note, the 2021 guide will, for the first time, recognise members of the Australia and Hong Kong Bars. In addition to inviting those chambers to submit directly for our next research cycle, we will also be asking law firms present across Asia Pacific to provide, in their own submissions, feedback on Australia-, Hong Kong-, and UK-based barristers. Information provided in your submissions will be kept strictly confidential.
If you have any queries relating to the new guidelines or upcoming research cycle, then please get in touch. Otherwise, the best of luck for 2021!