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The rise of the internet, emails, video calling, and other tech developments mean the world is more interconnected than ever before. Professional companies and businesses are expanding internationally at a rapid pace. Law firms have been expanding into international markets for several decades as part of the global economy. One of the main reasons for expansion is to take advantage of emerging markets.

Norton Rose Fulbright is an excellent example to illustrate the globalisation of law firms.  

Norton Rose was started by Robert Charley in 1794. In 1976 it opened its first international office in Hong Kong, where the banking sector took off at the time.

In 1990, it established offices across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, taking its international operations to 22 offices. In 2010 they combined with Deacons, an Australian firm, and in 2011 with Canadian law firm Ogilvy Renault, and South African firm Deneys Reitz.

In 2013, they combined with the American firm Fulbright & Jaworski to become Norton Rose Fulbright. They now have over 3,700 lawyers and other legal staff working across Europe, the United States, Canada, Latin America, Asia Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East.

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Emerging markets

These days, many City firms have a presence in major cities of emerging markets, such as BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa). Another emerging market that is increasingly attractive to global law firms is China, one of the fastest-growing economies. Thirty years ago, an office in New York was seen as the ultimate success; these days, an office in Shanghai or Beijing is more likely to be the pinnacle of success. 

A recent trend is expanding into the Middle East, especially international hubs like Dubai. 

Initially, only the large City firms expanded globally, and many followed the same track as Norton Rose Fulbright. However, in the last decade or so, we saw the expansion of medium-sized non-London-centric firms into international markets. Osborne Clark, originally a Bristol firm, expanded into London in the late 80s, and then opened a U.S. office in 2000. They now have 900 lawyers in 25 international locations. 

Areas of the law that encourage a global presence

Besides emerging markets, specific areas of the law will also impact the future of global law firms. 

As business becomes global, so must law firms to be able to advise their clients on cross-jurisdictional matters. Traditionally, Banking, Finance and Investment, Energy Markets, Mergers & Acquisitions, IP, and Competition Law are all areas of the law that lean towards an international presence. 

Currently, the tech sector, particularly internet-based companies, such as social media platforms, that generally offer services to a global customer base, is most in need of international legal advice.

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Exciting new developments in India

In an exciting development in the international legal sector, the Bar Council of India announced that foreign legal firms would be allowed to set up in India for the first time. Amongst other things, foreign law firms will be allowed to advise clients on the international elements of M&As and appear as arbitrators.

Until now, some of the biggest international firms had to advise their clients on a “fly-in fly-out” basis. 

According to Cyril Shroff, managing partner at one of India’s biggest law firms, Mumbai-based Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, “the reform is long overdue”. International firms currently serve Indian and international clients operating in India from bases such as Singapore or London.

The  report that law firms, including DLA Piper, Herbert Smith Freehills, and Baker McKenzie, are all looking at opening offices in India after the country changed its rules to widen overseas access to a huge market.

“We are excited — we think this is a very big opportunity, and it’s one we’re taking seriously,” said Ashok Lalwani, a Baker McKenzie partner who runs the firm’s India group from Singapore.

Roddy Martin, London-based head of the India practice at Herbert Smith Freehills, said the news was significant. “It will possibly be less about today than the scale of opportunities in India over the next five years.”

Some have warned that newcomers must not underestimate how hard it is to make money in India. Shroff says, “The global pricing model is currently a non-starter in India.”

What about global revenue and future legal spend?

While it remains to be seen precisely how the situation plays out in India, global law firms have managed to grow their revenue in the 2021 fiscal year, which for many included several months into 2022.

The 200 largest law firms in the world have collectively grown their revenue by 14.7% in the 2021 fiscal year. While U.S. firms made up the bulk of the Global 200, firms based in China, Australia, and Europe were among the biggest movers up the ranks.

The Global 100 outperformed the second hundred, growing revenue by 15.3% compared to 12.6%. The average revenue per lawyer among all 200 firms grew by 8.4%.

At the top of the 2022 rankings is global firm Kirkland & Ellis, with worldwide revenue of $6,042,000,000.

To see the Global 200 Rankings, go to 

What does all of this mean for the future of global law firms? 

Law firms will continue to require international expertise to help their clients navigate global legal issues. Law firms that can call on expertise in multiple jurisdictions will have an advantage in attracting international clients. However, a physical office in multiple jurisdictions may become less critical. 

The hallmark of an international law firm will be access to a network of specialist lawyers in multiple jurisdictions rather than lots of offices dotted around the world.