This is a collaborative post: Those in the legal profession either work at or own law firms. It consists of a group of lawyers who work together as a business.
Lawyers conduct lawsuits and advise on legal rights and obligations. They represent their clients throughout these matters.
There is a long list of the best law firms in the UK for 2022, but here are some tips on choosing between them.
Types of Law Firms
There are quite a few types of law firms in the UK, with each offering its expertise to specific sectors while providing top quality services. Firms like Brodies LLB, an award-winning law firm in the UK, are categorised by these types.
Magic Circle Law Firms
These are the most prestigious law firms within the UK, and they have headquarters in London and offices globally. They are also a collective of the largest firms in the UK.
They are also ranked as the top-earning for each partner and each lawyer in the UK. It is extremely difficult to be a member of the magic circle and it attracts only the very best. Alex Gotch of Beacon Legal explains why many Australian lawyers are relocating to work for such prestigious companies.
The four chambers of London commercial barristers are called the “Bar’s Magic Circle”.
City Law Firms
These law firms have their firm’s headquarters in London but have offices throughout the UK and overseas. City firms work with high-profile clients like financial institutions and large commercial companies.
There is heavy competition to get training contracts at commercial city law firms. Employees here are guaranteed to get paid a high salary and expect great benefits.
National Law Firms
These firms have offices in many different regions and cities throughout the UK, except for London.
They’re found in Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, Cardiff, and more.
They take on and are dedicated to various work in the commercial, general, or community practice areas.
High Street Law Firms
These firms generally act on behalf of an individual and can consist of either a group of lawyers or just one person. The practice area of these kinds of firms is family property, crime, employment, immigration and more.
US Firms
These are American firms that have their office in the UK, which is becoming increasingly popular in the United Kingdom. They too have an extremely prestigious reputation and are known to pay their employees high salaries while also offering international travel and opportunities.
What you need to know about law firms
There are a few factors that you need to know about firms and how they operate.
This is what they need to consider themselves a law firm.
Practice Areas
This is the area of law they choose to work in. It could be areas such as:
- Criminal law
- Employment law
- Environmental law
- Equity and Trusts
- EU Law
- Family Law
- Human Rights Law
- Insurance Law
- Intellectual Property (IP) Law
- Land Law
- Litigation
- Media Law
- Private Client Law
- Property Law
- Public Law
- Shipping Law
- Sports Law
- Tax Law
- Tort Law
Firm Size
The firm’s size will affect how many clients your firm will have.
Larger firms are categorised as city and commercial firms, whereas high-street firms are categorised as small firms.
Location
Most firms have their office or headquarters in many different areas within the UK and major cities around the world.
This means that they have access to potential clients in their own country and globally as well. This also widens their network of lawyers and employees.
Training Programme
Each firm should offer some training contracts to entry-level lawyers. It is not only an opportunity for the firm to take note of who the future lawyers are to join their team.
List of best law firms in the UK for 2022
Brodies LLB
- Brodies LLB is an award-winning law firm.
- They work with businesses and organisations and offer a range of services in the sector.
- They also work with individuals and families and offer various services in different sectors.
Allen & Overy
- Allen & Overy is a global law firm that works primarily with business clients.
- They are the seventh-largest integrated law firm in the world.
- They have over 40 offices globally.
- They have 580 partners.
- They have over 430 law firms in over 100 countries.
Slaughter and May
- Slaughter and May provide outstanding legal services.
- Their international clients are based in multi-jurisdictions which adds to the strength of their practice.
- They advise on high-profile and landmark international transactions.
- They deal with corporate clients.
Bates Wells
- Bates Wells has a Diversity and Inclusion Forum (DIF).
- They do pro bono work.
- They work in many different sectors like technology, culture and creative sector, education and more.
- They also offer many services within these sectors.
Duncan Lewis
- Duncan Lewis serves both corporate and private clients.
- It’s one of the fastest-growing firms in the UK.
- They are known to be reliable and accurate.
- They deal with bankruptcy, business law, car accidents, family law, and so much more.