Below are profiles of 10 leading commercial and full-service law firms in the United Kingdom. These firms are recognised for advising multinational corporations, financial institutions, government bodies, private equity firms, and public sector organisations on complex domestic and cross-border legal matters.
1. Clifford Chance LLP
Company history
Founded in 1987 through the merger of Clifford Turner and Coward Chance, with predecessor firms dating back to the early 1800s, Clifford Chance is one of the UK’s prestigious “Magic Circle” law firms. The firm advises many of the world’s largest corporations, financial institutions and governments across more than 30 offices worldwide.
Services
- Corporate & Mergers and Acquisitions
- Banking & Finance
- Capital Markets
- Litigation & Dispute Resolution
- Tax
- Antitrust & Competition
- Real Estate
- Private Equity
- Employment
- Funds & Asset Management
Address
10 Upper Bank Street, London E14 5JJ, United Kingdom
Telephone
+44 (0)20 7006 1000
Homepage
Clifford Chance LLP
2. Freshfields LLP
Company history
Established in 1743, Freshfields is the oldest international law firm in the world and another member of the Magic Circle. The firm has a long-standing reputation for advising multinational businesses on complex corporate transactions, investigations and disputes.
Services
- Corporate
- Banking & Finance
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Antitrust
- Litigation
- Arbitration
- Tax
- Employment
- Intellectual Property
- Regulatory Law
Address
100 Bishopsgate, London EC2P 2SR, United Kingdom
Telephone
+44 (0)20 7936 4000
Homepage
Freshfields LLP
3. Linklaters LLP
Company history
Founded in 1838, Linklaters is one of the UK’s leading international law firms. It advises global corporations, banks and governments on high-value commercial transactions and cross-border legal matters.
Services
- Corporate
- Banking
- Capital Markets
- Litigation
- Tax
- Competition
- Real Estate
- Energy & Infrastructure
- Employment
- Financial Regulation
Address
One Silk Street, London EC2Y 8HQ, United Kingdom
Telephone
+44 (0)20 7456 2000
Homepage
Linklaters LLP
4. Slaughter and May
Company history
Founded in 1889, Slaughter and May is widely regarded as one of the UK’s elite corporate law firms. It is renowned for its role in advising on many of the country’s largest mergers, acquisitions and corporate restructurings.
Services
- Corporate
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Financing
- Competition
- Dispute Resolution
- Tax
- Real Estate
- Intellectual Property
- Employment
- Financial Regulation
Address
One Bunhill Row, London EC1Y 8YY, United Kingdom
Telephone
+44 (0)20 7600 1200
Homepage
Slaughter and May
5. Allen Overy Shearman Sterling LLP
Company history
Originally founded as Allen & Overy in 1930, the firm combined with Shearman & Sterling in 2024 to create Allen Overy Shearman Sterling, one of the world’s largest international law firms. It continues to be recognised as a leading adviser on finance, corporate and regulatory matters.
Services
- Corporate
- Banking & Finance
- Capital Markets
- Litigation
- International Arbitration
- Tax
- Employment
- Financial Services Regulation
- Energy
- Infrastructure
Address
One Bishops Square, London E1 6AD, United Kingdom
Telephone
+44 (0)20 3088 0000
Homepage
Allen Overy Shearman Sterling LLP
6. Herbert Smith Freehills
Company history
Herbert Smith Freehills was formed in 2012 through the merger of Herbert Smith and Australia’s Freehills. The firm’s London office serves as a major international hub for corporate, disputes and energy work.
Services
- Corporate
- Banking & Finance
- Litigation
- International Arbitration
- Competition
- Employment
- Energy
- Infrastructure
- Intellectual Property
- Tax
Address
Exchange House, Primrose Street, London EC2A 2EG, United Kingdom
Telephone
+44 (0)20 7374 8000
Homepage
Herbert Smith Freehills
7. Ashurst LLP
Company history
Founded in 1822, Ashurst has grown into a leading international law firm with strong expertise in finance, infrastructure, energy and corporate law. The London office is the firm’s global headquarters.
Services
- Corporate
- Banking & Finance
- Infrastructure
- Energy
- Commercial Litigation
- Employment
- Tax
- Real Estate
- Competition
- Digital Economy
Address
London Fruit & Wool Exchange, 1 Duval Square, London E1 6PW, United Kingdom
Telephone
+44 (0)20 7638 1111
Homepage
Ashurst LLP
8. Hogan Lovells
Company history
Hogan Lovells was established in 2010 through the merger of Lovells and Hogan & Hartson. The firm has one of the largest international legal networks and advises clients across virtually every major commercial sector.
Services
- Corporate
- Banking & Finance
- Intellectual Property
- Litigation
- Employment
- Real Estate
- Life Sciences
- Competition
- Tax
- Regulatory Law
Address
Atlantic House, Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2FG, United Kingdom
Telephone
+44 (0)20 7296 2000
Homepage
Hogan Lovells
9. CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP
Company history
CMS was formed through a series of mergers, including the combination of Cameron McKenna, Nabarro and Olswang. It is one of the UK’s largest commercial law firms and has an extensive international presence.
Services
- Corporate
- Commercial Litigation
- Banking
- Real Estate
- Construction
- Energy
- Technology
- Employment
- Tax
- Intellectual Property
Address
Cannon Place, 78 Cannon Street, London EC4N 6AF, United Kingdom
Telephone
+44 (0)20 7367 3000
Homepage
CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP
10. Macfarlanes LLP
Company history
Founded in 1875, Macfarlanes is a leading London-based commercial law firm and a member of the UK’s “Silver Circle”. The firm is particularly recognised for its expertise in corporate law, private wealth, tax and dispute resolution.
Services
- Corporate
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Banking & Finance
- Commercial Litigation
- Tax
- Private Client
- Real Estate
- Employment
- Investment Funds
- Competition
Address
20 Cursitor Street, London EC4A 1LT, United Kingdom
Telephone
+44 (0)20 7831 9222
Homepage
Macfarlanes LLP