A leading international legal survey, PLC Which Lawyer? Yearbook (formerly Global Counsel 3000), has, for the second consecutive year, ranked Mallesons Stephen Jaques in the Global 50, a list of the world’s top 50 law firms. Additionally, the firm has been named “Australia’s premier law firm”.
The Global 50 review is compiled as part of the yearbook’s survey of law firms worldwide and identifies the 50 law firms that: “received the greatest depth of recommendation across the research”.
Mallesons has again received the highest number of top tier rankings in the Australia chapter (14), which is two more top tier rankings than last year. As well, Mallesons received recognition in six ‘Global 50 Areas of Excellence’ for its capability in both Australia and Hong Kong in each of the following areas of practice: Banking and Finance, Capital Markets, Dispute Resolution, Equity Capital Markets, M&A, Projects and Telecommunications.
Mallesons’ partners also ranked highly in the survey, with 20 partners being named ‘Star Lawyers’ – individuals ranked as leading in their practice areas.
Editorial commentary in the Global 50 stated: “The depth of practice and consistent quality of its lawyers undoubtedly contributes to Mallesons Stephen Jaques’ success as Australia’s premier law firm.”
The review also recognised Mallesons’ continued thrust into Asia: “Australian law firm Mallesons Stephen Jaques recently achieved one of the most significant mergers to have taken place in the Hong Kong market for some time. It officially teamed with local firm Kwok & Yih, which is held in high regard in the domestic market for its expertise in M&A, IPOs and equity capital markets. The merger gives Mallesons new corporate capability in addition to its already strong reputation in construction, projects, dispute resolution and debt finance.
“The firm has shown a real resolve to replicate its strengths in Asia, with the Hong Kong office’s profile moving from strength to strength. Armed with the determination to become a serious player, as well as possessing a continuous pool of young talent, Mallesons can be confident of remaining the firm of choice for many of the region’s top corporates.”
Mallesons’ Hong Kong practice was ranked 13th out of the 62 law firms ranked in that jurisdiction.
Commenting on the firm’s increased recognition both locally and internationally, Mallesons’ Chief Executive Partner, Robert Milliner, acknowledges clients as being the key to the firm’s success.
“The past year has been a time of consolidation and growth for Mallesons and through continuous engagement with our clients we are able to respond to their needs directly and practically. The merger with Kwok & Yih is a further illustration of our commitment to strategically locating top talent and offices where our clients need us.
“The response from the market has been positive and we’d like to thank our clients for their support. We will continue to change and adapt as our clients and as the market requires.”
Mallesons’ complete Global 50 portrait can be viewed here.
The criteria for a ranking in the Global 50 is based on:
- Comments from general counsel in the world’s leading 5,000 companies on law firms they use. Based on this research and interviews with leading private practitioners, the PLC Which Lawyer? Yearbook ranks firms in all major practice areas within jurisdictions (including individual US states) as “leading”, “highly recommended” or “recommended”. The Global 50 firms are those firms that score the most points when the results of the research are weighted according to the level of recommendation and then aggregated.
- The firms scoring rankings on at least two continents.
- The firms operating as a unified partnership.