Australian firm tops Big Six, APAC rivals in client survey

The law firm beat out some heavyweight competitors to top the list

Australian firm tops Big Six, APAC rivals in client survey
Corrs Chambers Westgarth has topped rivals both in Australia and in the Asia Pacific region in the latest client research report by The Legal 500.

Among Australian firms, Corrs ranked highest in all three categories – client relationship skills, technical legal ability and project management – in the report, according to The Australian Financial Review. It topped the Big Six – Allens, Ashurst, Clayton Utz, Herbert Smith Freehills, King & Wood Mallesons, and MinterEllison – which have now become international firms in their own rights.

The Legal 500’s Client Intelligence Report surveyed 9,096 in-house counsel and client respondents in 188 countries from April to May 2016. In Australia, the survey included feedback from 226 general counsel from companies that have an aggregate law firm spend of $3.2b a year.

Corrs Partner and CEO John W.H. Denton AO said that the firm’s commitment to truly understanding its clients’ businesses is paying off, though it means the firm has to put in more effort.

“We invest an incredible amount of time and resources into listening to our clients, studying their businesses, understanding the challenges they face, and helping them see around corners,” he said.

Across APAC, Corrs also ranked first by client KPI scores. It beat out Dentons, the world’s largest law firm by lawyer headcount, which placed second. Chinese Red Circle firm Zhong Lun came in third, followed by Clifford Chance. Linklaters, Allens’ associated firm, completes the APAC top five. Gilbert + Tobin, MinterEllison, HSF, Ashurst, Clayton Utz, and KWM also feature in the APAC top 20.

APAC law firms ranked by client KPI scores – 2016
  1. Corrs Chambers Westgarth
  2. Dentons
  3. Zhong Lun
  4. Clifford Chance
  5. Linklaters
  6. Gilbert + Tobin
  7. Khaitan & Co
  8. MinterEllison
  9. Herbert Smith Freehills
  10. Rajah & Tann
  11. Kim & Chang
  12. DLA Piper
  13. Baker McKenzie
  14. Ashurst
  15. Allen & Gledhill
  16. Clayton Utz
  17. King & Wood Mallesons
  18. Norton Rose Fulbright
  19. Jones Day
  20. Hogan Lovells


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