Ranking tables
Employee Benefits | Global
Global: Multi-Jurisdictional
Rankings overview for Departments
All Departments profiles
Band 1

1 Baker McKenzieEmployee Benefits2026 | Band 1 | 5 Years RankedBaker McKenzie is noted for its exceptionally broad coverage, with top-notch employment departments across the UK, Europe, Asia-Pacific, including China and Australia, and the USA. The law firm offers:
• Considerable expertise in advising on group restructurings, mass redundancies, integrations, restrictive covenants and mobility issues.
• Special expertise in handling employment aspects of cross-border transactions.
• Proficient handling of complex employee benefits mandates, advising on pensions and share plans
• Experience in acting for clients across a range of sectors, including automotive, industrial, energy, mining, financial institutions, healthcare and communications.

1 Clifford Chance LLPEmployee Benefits2026 | Band 1 | 5 Years RankedClifford Chance has a market-leading employee benefits team and a robust employment offering, benefiting from a widespread network of offices that is led by a well-regarded team in London. The law firm offers:
• Expert advice on collective employee savings plans and share schemes, and in-depth knowledge of remuneration and incentive arrangements for senior executives
• A multidisciplinary team of experts, covering legal, regulatory and tax advice on large-scale global share plans and incentives issues.
• Skill in advising an array of clients from the financial services, aerospace, retail, technology, energy and real estate sectors on contentious and non-contentious employment matters.

1 Latham & Watkins LLPEmployee Benefits2026 | Band 1 | 5 Years RankedLatham & Watkins is recognised for its considerable presence in the employee benefits market, and is especially noted for the strength of its USA team in advising on multi-jurisdictional matters. The law firm offers:
• Expertise in advising on employee benefits and executive compensation issues arising from high-value M&A transactions.
• Familiarity with assisting clients with corporate governance and regulatory concerns
• Experience in representing an array of clients, including large corporations, boards of directors and private equity firms.
Band 2

2 FreshfieldsEmployee Benefits2026 | Band 2 | 5 Years RankedFreshfields has a highly regarded employment and employee benefits practice that has a strong presence in the UK, Europe and Japan. The law firm offers:
• Advice regarding bonus plans, terminations and a variety of other HR legal queries.
• Excellent capability in contentious employment matters, including litigation, boardroom disputes and industrial relations.
• Considerable experience in whistle-blowing cases, including for the finance industry.

2 Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLPEmployee Benefits2026 | Band 2 | 5 Years RankedHerbert Smith Freehills Kramer has a well-regarded practice with strength across a range of employment and employee benefits issues. It is particularly noted for its leading teams in Australia, Singapore and the UK. The law firm offers:
• Experience in advising on litigation and regulatory investigations, including discrimination claims and whistle-blowing procedures.
• Expertise in assisting with boardroom and executive matters, as well as employment law advice during corporate transactions, such as sales, restructurings and acquisitions.
• Further considerable skill in drafting employee and executive share and incentive plans and transfer agreements.

2 LinklatersEmployee Benefits2026 | Band 2 | 5 Years RankedLinklaters is recognised for its outstanding employee incentives and share schemes and employment teams, which are highly esteemed by global clients, and boasts particular strength in London. The law firm offers:
• Considerable expertise in advising clients from the pharmaceutical and financial services industries.
• Experience in advising on employment benefits issues related to M&A and other transactions, such as investor buyouts and business sales and separations.
• Proficiency in acting on regulatory matters concerning executive pay and benefits.

2 Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLPEmployee Benefits2026 | Band 2 | 5 Years RankedMorgan, Lewis & Bockius is respected for its considerable strength in employee benefits plans and general employment law compliance, and is particularly noted for its significant USA expertise. The law firm offers:
• Expertise in advising startups and public companies on cross-border executive compensation matters.
• Considerable experience in acting for clients from the pharmaceutical, technology, hospitality and food industries.
• Knowledge of handling of litigation, including strike-related disputes and claims of sexual harassment and discrimination.

2 Proskauer Rose LLPEmployee Benefits2026 | Band 2 | 4 Years RankedProskauer Rose is noted for its considerable strength in advising on a range of employment law matters, particularly across the USA. The law firm offers:
• Expertise in representing clients from a range of industry sectors, including TMT, banking and finance, and private equity.
• Skill in handling employment litigation, such as employment investigations and discrimination cases
• Experience in advising on multi-jurisdictional redundancies, collective dismissals, employee data protection and whistle-blowing matters.

2 Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & AffiliatesEmployee Benefits2026 | Band 2 | 1 Years RankedSkadden is an international law firm with an extensive Executive Compensation and Benefits practice in the US and growing presence in the UK. The firm offers:
• Experience in supporting clients on mandates related to corporate transactions.
• A global network to advise on international transactions and global equity settings.