Top International Business Law Firms: A Comprehensive Ranking

Being a lawyer means competing for the best clients, the best verdicts and the best reputation. Most think that a successful career in law therefore means working at one of the biggest law firms in the world.

The biggest law firms are often ranked like university rankings-by weaving a variety of criteria into one flattened value.

Legal services range across fields including taxation, business, finance, litigation, conflicts, international dispute resolution, corporate affairs, patents, copyrights, antitrust, labor, arbitration, property, administrative and political-to name but a few. Naturally, some offices have more success than others.

Let's delve into the world of international business law and explore the top firms that dominate this field.

Factors to Consider When Ranking Law Firms

Assessing the top law firms can be subjective, as different individuals prioritize different aspects of a firm’s offerings. For some, large firms offer extensive resources and career advancement opportunities. While larger firms typically dominate revenue rankings, smaller firms still achieve significant profitability by adopting legal technologies to streamline processes. Additionally, while larger firms tend to have more specialized services, smaller firms enjoy flexibility.

Rank law firms with a broader view. Take into account a team’s bench strength, including both partners and associates, and their level of technical expertise in a given area. Furthermore, you should judge law firms on how they’re adapting and innovating. Top law firms now embrace advanced technologies to stay competitive. This is key to company culture; how attentive are your potential employers to their clients? Timely communication is crucial, and you may enjoy nurturing close attorney-client relations.

Leading Law Firms in International Trade and WTO

The firms included in our rankings have been recommended by in-house counsel, other third-party experts and private practice lawyers. Our comprehensive research ensures you have all the information needed when looking to purchase legal services across Global Market Leaders.

Here's a look at some of the top firms in the area of International Trade/WTO, based on rankings:

Band 1

• Sidley Austin LLP

  Sidley Austin is a highly esteemed law firm that continues to be a commanding authority on all aspects of international trade and WTO work. Dominating the field in Asia, Europe and the USA, its elite WTO practice is widely acclaimed as the foremost of its kind, with the firm taking centre stage in a myriad of leading, high-profile global disputes.

  The law firm offers:

  • Expertise in large-scale contentious trade cases, in addition to anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations.
  • An aptitude for representing sovereign entities and major international companies operating in numerous industries, including steel and pharmaceuticals.
  • Experience in significant export control, customs and sanctions work.
  • A firm grasp on trade remedy matters and international trade-related IP mandates.
• White & Case LLP

  White & Case has a highly regarded team that is routinely picked out for its impressive and comprehensive international trade and WTO practice. It hosts an impressive international offering, comprising market-leading teams in Japan and China, as well as highly rated practice groups in Washington, Brussels and Geneva.

  The law firm offers:

  • Experience in trade remedy, customs and sanctions work, and notable strength in CFIUS-related matters.
  • An impressive trade defence practice, successfully representing governments and major conglomerates.
  • Notable activity in anti-dumping and safeguard investigations in both Europe and the USA.
  • An imposing presence in the Asia-Pacific region, frequently handling WTO disputes with Japanese and Korean elements.
• Steptoe LLP

Band 2

• Akin

  Akin has a dynamic team with a well-established US group, alongside significant resources in China and the EU.

  The law firm offers:

  • A strong export controls and sanctions practice which often represents major global conglomerates.
  • Experience representing government departments across the globe, including assistance with the drafting of major trade agreements.
  • A highly respected trade policy practice which is frequently engaged in complex negotiations and policy disputes.
  • An active trade defence and disputes practice, driven by a Geneva team that is called on by a number of government entities from Asia and Latin America for representation before the WTO.
• Baker McKenzie

  Baker McKenzie has an impressive global practice. The firm is able to provide strong trade expertise in Europe and North America, and boasts an impressive presence in Asia.

  The law firm offers:

  • A truly global service, leveraging its vast international network to advise its portfolio of multinational clients on a wide range of international trade matters.
  • Experience acting for significant names in the oil and gas, automotive and e-commerce sectors.
  • Recognised strength in customs, export controls and sanctions.
  • Notable capability in trade remedy cases.
• Hogan Lovells US LLP

  Hogan Lovells has an acclaimed team that is noted for its very strong US practice and active on a number of major matters in Canada, Europe and the Middle East.

  The law firm offers:

  • Considerable experience in anti-subsidy and trade remedy cases, acting for government ministries, international consortiums and market-leading companies in several of the largest ongoing disputes in this field.
  • Notable expertise in trade controls and sanctions.
  • An active involvement in a variety of high-profile Canada-US trade disputes and investigations, including softwood lumber, aviation and solar cells.
  • A truly global offering, with frequent collaboration between its teams in Washington DC, Brussels, Hong Kong and London.

Band 3

• Covington & Burling LLP

  Covington & Burling is a well-regarded firm with a stalwart US practice and additional global capabilities, notably in Asia.

  The law firm offers:

  • Leading expertise in economic sanctions mandates, as well as high-stakes CFIUS and IP trade law issues.
  • Experience handling matters arising in Canada, Europe and the Middle East.
  • A capable trade remedy advice and WTO practice, representing governments and leading global clients from a variety of industries.
• Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP

  Curtis has a strong US-based practice that is considered a powerhouse in Asia. The law firm's global offering comprises trade specialists operating out of its Washington DC, Geneva, Beijing, Dubai and Buenos Aires offices.

  The law firm offers:

  • High-quality trade remedy and related WTO advice, representing a range of state-owned entities and international corporate clients.
  • An impressive track record of representing a host of government bodies across Asia and the Americas.
  • Expertise in anti-dumping and countervailing duties work, as well as litigation and anti-subsidy mandates pertaining to the aviation, steel and energy industries.
• Mayer Brown LLP

  Mayer Brown has a strong practice with a far-reaching global presence, including particularly strong capabilities in Europe and Asia.

  The law firm offers:

  • A high-quality trade defence practice, assisting with major WTO disputes.
  • Experience representing government ministries and key international corporations from an array of jurisdictions and industries.
  • Broad-ranging expertise providing trade policy and customs advice to clients, especially in relation to the USA and China.
  • An aptitude for representing a variety of Russian industry leaders before both the WTO and the European Commission.

Band 4

• Arnold & Porter

  Arnold & Porter is a noted firm with strong global capabilities in the international trade space.

  The law firm offers:

  • An experienced team adept at handling trade remedy cases.
  • Robust capabilities in administrative reviews and investigations.
  • A strong track record of representing Asia-based clients.
• King & Spalding LLP

  King & Spalding has a respected US practice augmented by a robust European presence, with an established foothold in Geneva and a nascent practice in Brussels.

  The law firm offers:

  • Expertise in WTO work, with regular involvement in a number of major anti-dumping, anti-subsidy and compliance mandates.
  • A notable trade remedy and sanctions practice.
  • Experience acting for major corporations in the silicon metal, steel, manufacturing and pharmaceutical industries.
  • Proficiency in representing the interests of US industry leaders during trade remedy investigations.
• Van Bael & Bellis
• VVGB Advocaten/Avocats

Other Key Players in the Legal Landscape

Kirkland & Ellis, Latham & Watkins and Baker McKenzie are the main competitors in the US law landscape at the moment. They’re generating billions in annual revenue and employ thousands of highly qualified attorneys.

As for the historic ‘big three’ law firms in the US-just swap Baker McKenzie for Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. This is based on longstanding presence in revenue, prestige, size and influence across the planet. These firms have considerable influence and success in the legal industry.

The European Legal Market

While there’s plenty of transaction going down in the US, the turnover in Europe is not to be sniffed at. For example, European 100 produced a ranking page across 2020 with total revenue adding up to over $2.57 billion. Not too shabby! You could also identify law firms in Europe via award ceremonies.

Challenges and Opportunities

In the US, the biggest law firms are in need of qualified professionals. A recent survey found that 54% of participating attorneys believed a shortage of competent recruits was going to affect their firms. The legal sector is dealing with a backlog in court cases, which has slowed down the judicial process.

Top law firms now embrace advanced technologies to stay competitive. This is key to company culture; how attentive are your potential employers to their clients? Timely communication is crucial, and you may enjoy nurturing close attorney-client relations.

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