PRESS RELEASE: US law firms pull back on responsible business

The top 50 US law firms have pulled back on responsible business reporting this year in the face of political headwinds, with 86% seeing a decline in communication and disclosure compared to 2024. 

An annual report, published by Lamp House, part of leading legal rankings and insights intelligence company Chambers, analyzes the websites of 150 leading law firms, including the AmLaw 50 and UK top 100, tracking reported responsible business activity across three categories: People, Planet and Governance. 

The AmLaw 50’s average scores have dropped by 30% in the most recent reporting period as firms adapted to changing environment. The most significant drops were in initiatives supporting ethnic minorities, women and LGBTQ+ individuals. 

Thirteen of the 50 saw their score decrease by 10% or more, whilst three scored zero, representing a total retraction of all communication regarding responsible business activity. Only four firms increased their score by more than 1%. 

The results are in sharp contrast to UK-headquartered firms which saw a 12% year on year increase in their average scores. 

The trends seen in the people category have evolved markedly, with many rethinking how they communicate their commitments publicly. Last year virtually all US firms described having affinity networks or employee resource groups for under-represented groups, particularly women, LGBTQ+ staff and those from ethnic minorities. This year, just under a third of firms have removed these initiatives from their websites. 

In 2024, US firms were also more likely than UK firms to talk about how DEI objectives contributed to personal performance frameworks and compensation decisions. In 2025, mentions of such initiatives have been dramatically retracted from the market. 

Language has changed significantly with only 28% of AmLaw 50 firms retaining the word ‘diversity’ compared to 77% of UK firms. ‘Inclusion’ is now the most used term, adopted by 40% of US firms. 

Despite the overall reduction in the reporting of responsible business activity, US firms remain strongly committed to pro bono, with a higher volume of firms mentioning it as a factor in individual performance frameworks or billable hours than in previous years (48% in 2025 compared to 34% in 2024). 

Commitment to sustainability also remains relatively stable, with around a fifth measuring emissions and setting reduction targets, in line with previous years. The most common sustainability strategy is sustainable building certification – held by 40% of firms – followed by pro bono work to support biodiversity and waste reduction initiatives, undertaken by 38% of firms. 

Lisa Hart Shepherd, chief product and innovation officer at Chambers and Partners says: “When it comes to responsible business, political headwinds in the US appear to have had a significant effect on what top law firms are prepared to disclose, particularly in relation to initiatives designed to support the recruitment, retention and progression of women, ethnic minorities and the LGBTQ+ community. 

“That doesn’t mean the initiatives in place have disappeared overnight, but firms are rethinking and reshaping the public communication and positioning of those efforts in the light of the political risk.  

“It is good to see that firms remain steadfastly committed to pro bono and are increasing efforts towards the environment. A significant proportion of talent and clients care about these areas. Firms are in a difficult position to accommodate the preferences of different stakeholders and have choices to make around the values they exhibit in their communications. The paths they choose are likely to influence the clients and people they retain and attract.” 

ENDS

For further information, please contact:  

Louise Eckersley, Black Letter Communications on 0203 567 1208 or email: 

[email protected] 

Kerry Jack, Black Letter Communications 

[email protected] / + 44 (0) 203 567 1208, 07525 756 599 

The Lamp House annual review of law firm responsible business activity analysed the websites of 150 leading law firms, including any specific responsible business reports. Reported activity is measured across a framework encompassing three broad categories: People, Planet and Governance. 

This year’s analysis was conducted July – August 2025 and included the top 100 UK firms and top 50 US firms by revenue. 

Lamp House Strategy is an insights specialist for the legal sector, providing invaluable research and data that helps law firms to shape their responsible business strategy. It was acquired by Chambers and Partners in June 2024.  

Its purpose is to modernise the legal industry and enable firms to have a more positive impact on their people, the planet, and their profits. 

The company’s legacy business influenced the dialogue on a number of important topics within leadership teams. Today, it applies the same data-driven approach to deliver insights that help law firms reframe responsible business as a symbol of sustainable success. 

Lamp House Strategy’s research solutions enable firms to understand their current position, engage stakeholders, and secure their future. 

Chambers is a leading global legal rankings and insights intelligence company.  

For over 30 years, Chambers has differentiated the very best legal talent by identifying and ranking law firms and lawyers, through an unrivalled research methodology, delivering indispensable insights based on irrefutable rankings that truly reflect ability and talent.  

Chambers’ in-depth research teams assess lawyers and law firms across more than 200 jurisdictions around the world, providing independent and impartial intelligence and market insight. Its rankings and insights enable decision makers, from General Counsel at global bluechip firms, through to local influencers, to secure the talent that’s right for them.