Law Firms With 50+ Lawyer Rankings in Asia-Pacific 2023 Guide

Before we take a deeper look at this year’s top firms, let’s gain a better understanding of the depth and breadth of our research. 

This year, Chambers Asia-Pacific features more lawyer rankings than in the 2022 guide. The research methodology is based on a range of criteria and is unrivalled in its quality and precision. Law firms across the Asia-Pacific region are encouraged to submit information both for their department and for their individual lawyers for consideration.  

Our methodology includes an extensive telephone interview process as well as meticulous research that investigates factors such as commercial awareness, calibre of bench, client service, legal ability, demonstration of diligence and cost effectiveness. Lawyers are examined based on work experience in different areas of law, citations in successful litigation and judgments by the individual lawyers or their firm and feedback received from in-house counsel and market commentators. The end result is the most accurate, in-depth referral list of each lawyer or firm in the region, delivering a powerful resource for individuals seeking legal expertise or advice on a wide range of matters.  Visit the guide landing page.

Chambers and Partners is the world's leading independent ranking source for lawyers and firms worldwide. As we continue to gain prestige, so, too, does our lawyer coverage. We continually strive to better represent the global legal market. Therefore, much of the guide’s evolution happens organically as engagement with the guides grows. We develop in line with our ranking markets’ growth, providing insights into more areas of expertise based on demand and requests by readers, and delivering more opportunities for specialised lawyers to submit to Chambers. The promotion of new partners and the opening of new regional firms also contributes to this growth. 

The following are the ‌firms in which 50 or more lawyers have been ranked in the Asia Pacific Chambers 2023 guide. We've provided some added insight for those with the top number of lawyers as well as some interesting facts about some smaller, regional firms that made this year’s list.

Baker McKenzie has one of the largest networks of offices in Asia Pacific. They have a presence in Hong Kong, Bangkok, Sydney, Singapore and more. With 214 ranked lawyers, it’s no surprise that an interviewee from our 2023 guide describes how Baker McKenzie “leverages off the depth and breadth of their network across different offices and practice areas, providing seamless and integrated services.” 

Ashurst provides advice on a range of legal and related business issues. With strongholds in the Australia and Singapore market, the Ashurst team is prominent across multiple industries including financial services, energy and natural resources and infrastructure. In 2023, they ranked as a leading firm in areas such as Banking & Finance and Securitisation, Capital Markets and Energy and Natural Resources. An interviewee for the 2023 guide describes that "Ashurst are very good in coming up with practicable solutions in complex situations and the experience of their partners is very good.”

11 new partners and counsel were internally promoted in 2022 by Herbert Smith Freehills, demonstrating the firm’s continued growth in the Asia-Pacific region. They are at the top of Chambers’ 2023 Asia-Pacific Region Arbitration (International) ranking table and are ranked highly across a wide range of other practice areas including Energy & Natural Resources and Technology, Media and Telecoms (TMT). One recent client praised the firm for having “complementary skills and together forming a formidable team.”  

King & Wood Mallesons has strong positions in both Greater China and Australia across multiple departments including arbitration, and across industries such as construction, technology and more. Areas of strength include M&A in Australia, as well as assisting large, multinational financial institutions. With 127 top rankings on this year’s list, King & Wood Mallesons continues to strengthen its global brand. An interviewee in 2022 said: "They have a team of highly skilled lawyers, coupled with strong communication skills, so matters are dealt with efficiently."  

Allens – 102 

Allen & Overy LLP – 99 

Corrs Chambers Westgarth – 88 

Clayton Utz – 87 

Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP – 86 

MinterEllison – 85 

Kim & Chang – 82 

DLA Piper (SV) – 76 

Norton Rose Fulbright – 75 

Allen & Gledhill LLP – 72 

Clifford Chance LLP – 66 

Lee & Ko – 65 

Mori Hamada & Matsumoto – 62 

Dentons (SV) – 59  

Shin & Kim – 57 

Linklaters – 56 

Gilbert + Tobin – 55 

Nishimura & Asahi – 55 

White & Case LLP – 53 

AZB & Partners – 51 

Bae, Kim & Lee LLC has been one of the top law firms in Korea for more than four decades now. The transactional lawyers at Bae, Kim & Lee are among the most experienced of Korea's top law firms and the firm remains successful in multiple practice areas including Capital Markets, Corporate/M&A and Litigation. One client commented in 2022: “We have been receiving a high-quality advisory service with a strong focus on practical solutions, as well as general legal opinions." 

WongPartnership LLP is a leading regional firm headquartered in Singapore that has also succeeded in creating a strong regional presence in the wider region. Beyond its headquarters in Singapore, the firm has expanded to include offices in other Asia Pacific jurisdictions such as China and Indonesia. One source appreciates that: "The team is able to juggle moving parts very well and provide practical guidance." 

It’s important for law firms to have a diverse range of top-ranking lawyers. This ensures that different client needs are being met and that the firm remains competitive as the political, economical and social landscape of law changes.  

 
Watch the 2022 Guide Launch Video, which aired in December 2022, where we discuss some of our key findings from this year’s research.