New law firm awards and rankings seem to pop up every year, with some being more credible, prestigious and sought-after than others. Chambers and Partners rankings are among the most coveted. As an independent publisher, Chambers and Partners ranks top law firms and lawyers in the U.S. and globally for its annual legal directories. The Chambers editorial team conducts rigorous research to identify the best of the best.
We cover Chambers rankings every year, providing updates on the Chambers research process, examining why firms may not be getting the rankings they want and how to refine your strategy for a more impactful submission.
Here is an in-depth look at the rankings process.
What Are Chambers and Partners Rankings?
Chambers is a legal ranking that uses research teams to assess lawyers and law firms. It covers 200+ jurisdictions (geographic areas around the world). Currently, the ranking guides include well over 100 different practice areas, and Chambers will expand the range of practice areas if they see growth in a particular sector. For example, Chambers recently introduced the Artificial Intelligence and Space Law ranking tables, highlighting legal firms working at the forefront of AI technology and aerospace law.
Firm size is generally not a factor in securing a ranking. Chambers ranks large, mid-size and small firms, although they launched Spotlight Guides to put more of an emphasis on smaller and mid-size firms that are new to submissions and have more of a regional practice. Spotlight Guides currently cover 10 states. The traditional Chambers USA Guide is broader, covering all 50 states and ranking firms and individual lawyers.
Many consider Chambers rankings to be the leading law firm and attorney directory and one of the toughest lists to get on.
What Each Chambers Band Means
Chambers ranks law firms and individual lawyers in Bands 1 through 6, with Band 1 the highest. Appearing in any band is an accomplishment, as they all signify achievement within the legal profession. Individual lawyers can also earn one of several special designations. Here is what each ranking means:
|
Ranking |
What it means |
|---|---|
|
Band 1 |
The leading firms and lawyers in a practice area, with the strongest reputation in the market. |
|
Bands 2–6 |
Ranked firms and lawyers who are highly regarded in their practice area. Recognition steps down from Band 2 to Band 6, but any band is a significant achievement. |
|
Star |
Lawyers with exceptional recommendations in their field, ranked above Band 1. |
|
Senior Statesperson |
A lawyer who no longer works hands-on at the same intensity but, through close client relationships, remains essential to the firm’s success. |
|
Eminent Practitioner |
A major player in the practice area who is less active in day-to-day fee-earning work because of management or client-relationship commitments. |
|
Up and Coming |
Typically a senior associate or junior partner who has not yet built an established reputation but is contributing to the firm’s growth. |
|
Associate to Watch |
A senior associate recognized for their work on major client matters. |
|
Star Associate |
An associate whose commercial and technical expertise is well ahead of their peers. Awarded to no more than one associate per table, and often not at all. |
Chambers researchers evaluate various criteria in making their determinations for all categories. Areas they assess include client service, technical legal ability, commercial astuteness, professional conduct and other key qualities.
Firm Rankings vs. Individual Lawyer Rankings
Sometimes there is confusion about how rankings are determined since Chambers recognizes both firms and individual lawyers. A firm or practice area is ranked for its overall excellence. Attorneys within the firm or practice area are ranked individually for their expertise and achievements, also using the same bands or within the additional categories described above. Sometimes only a single lawyer may be ranked for a practice area because they are the key person to the firm’s success or hold a strong reputation in that practice.
How Chambers Decides Its Rankings
What is the process for getting ranked in Chambers? And how does the publication decide who to rank?
The process begins with submitting your firm, practice area or lawyer(s) for consideration. This includes putting forth your most significant matters over the past year (up to 20) and references (Chambers calls them “referees”) who can speak to the quality of your work (up to 30 references in the U.S.). Once submissions are complete, Chambers conducts research which includes assessing written submissions and conducting external research via referee and market interviews. Rankings are not guaranteed simply because you submit matters and have reference feedback.
Chambers heavily weights referee interviews and market feedback via questionnaires and phone interviews. Referees are the clients and peers you provide in your submission who can attest to the skills of the firm or lawyer. Feedback from referees remain private and confidential so interviewees are comfortable sharing their honest thoughts.
When Chambers Rankings Are Released
Chambers is a yearly ranking. Once a submission is made, research can run for several months and schedules and notifications may fluctuate depending on your practice area and location. Specific submission deadlines for different locations and areas can be found at the Chambers Research Schedule. The Chambers USA Guide is typically published in June each year.
Do Chambers Rankings Actually Influence Clients and General Counsel?
With tens of thousands of referee responses each year, the guides highlight the trends shaping client expectations and the future of legal service delivery. Some of the recent takeaways include:
- Rankings Influence General Counsel Buying Decisions: Tracking shows that 80% of general counsel click through to a ranked profile and 73% continue to the firm’s website when searching for a lawyer or law firm online. This highlights that Chambers rankings aren’t just for vanity recognition. While not formally part of Chambers’ research methodology, researchers consistently hear in meetings with general counsel that GCs rely on rankings as a first stop when evaluating firms.
- Cost Sensitivity: Clients cited fee pressures amid economic instability as a driver for reconsidering use of Big Law. In-house attorneys are exploring alternatives, including for traditionally high-end legal work and often refer to Chambers rankings when seeking out other firms.
- Stronger Client Relationships are Critical: Clients want deeper partnerships, including longer-term secondments to control costs and foster loyalty. Strategic secondments can enhance both immediate efficiency and long-term client retention. Firms that embed themselves within client organizations and evolve service models will stand out in a saturated legal market.
Most firms want to know if anyone pays attention to the Chambers directories. In our experience, the answer is 50/50. One answer you will commonly hear is that general counsel uses it to help short-list lawyers or find lawyers in unfamiliar jurisdictions or practice areas. This can be particularly beneficial for law firms with specialized practices such as gaming, international trade or cannabis.
Another question we hear often is whether Chambers is pay-to-play. It isn’t. There is no fee to submit, and Chambers states that its rankings cannot be bought. Chambers does sell profile and marketing products, but buying them has no bearing on whether or where a firm is ranked. Rankings come from the research process described above, especially referee interviews. That independence is what separates Chambers from the many awards that charge a fee to be listed. If you’re weighing other recognition, here’s how to spot legitimate vs. pay-to-play lawyer awards.
All that being said, pursuing a Chambers ranking should fit into your larger business and marketing objectives. If your clients are typically individual consumers (e.g. personal injury practice), it’s less likely they are turning to Chambers to find a lawyer. While a ranking is prestigious, it may not be a fit for your consumer marketing approach. A submission requires substantial time and effort, so you want to make sure your input matches the ROI.
For more on the ROI question, here is a look at whether paying for a law firm award is worth it.
How Chambers Compares to Legal 500, Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers
There are numerous rankings to choose from in building a legal reputation. So what makes Chambers stand out against other directories? The publication’s depth of research and market insights are hard to beat. See how the major legal directories compare, including how Chambers rankings stack up against other top rankings, including Legal 500, Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers.
Improving Your Chambers Ranking
If you’re hoping to rise in the rankings, or break in for the first time, a compelling, substantive submission is key. Here’s how to make yours count:
Consider the three pillars.
Chambers evaluates submissions and referee feedback based on three main areas, each of which plays a critical role in how your practice and individual lawyers are ranked:
- Scope of work and complexity. Highlight matters that are high-value, novel or otherwise challenging. Chambers is looking for evidence of sophisticated legal work and substance. Write-ups should go beyond “what” happened to highlight “why” it was significant, hurdles overcome and how your team added value.
- Team composition and contribution. Chambers wants to understand who is doing the work and their roles. Don’t skip over including “Other team members” in the matter description. This is an opportunity to showcase the depth of bench strength and get attorneys in front of Chambers early on, so they can be considered for future rankings.
- Client relationship and service quality. This is a key focus of referee interviews. Chambers will ask clients about responsiveness and standout aspects of your service, such as proactive issue-spotting, commercial knowledge, handling sensitive matters, etc.
Choose referees wisely.
Given how heavily Chambers weighs feedback from referees, don’t list anyone unlikely to respond. It can make or break your ranking. Instead of listing the highest-ranking referee (e.g. the CEO), consider naming the next best contact; someone who’s closely involved in the work and more likely to respond. For anyone you submit, it’s best to obtain their permission in advance and give them notice of when Chambers will be contacting them.
Overall, keep in mind that you’ll be considered for higher rankings when your submission builds a specific, evidenced case.
Berbay Marketing & PR handles directory submissions to Chambers and Partners and consults on ranking strategies for law firms and attorneys. Reach out to start a conversation with us and learn about a clearer path to securing recognition.
