Top 25 Attraction Firms unveiled for 2025–26

Now in its 11th edition, the Top 25 Attraction Firms ranking is a defining feature of the Legal Firm of Choice Survey, which identifies the most sought-after private legal practices across Australia.

The latest survey was conducted from 1 April to 31 May and garnered a total of 612 responses from legal professionals currently engaged in private practice throughout the country. It recorded the attitudes, priorities, and perceptions of these practitioners, offering a valuable glimpse into the evolving landscape of the legal profession.

As always, the rankings tell a story of movement, with some firms soaring to new heights while others slip down the list. As with previous years, the 2024–25 results provide compelling insights into how legal professionals assess potential employers – particularly as the influence of artificial intelligence in the profession continues to grow and economic pressures persist. To see last year’s list, click here.

Speaking about the results, Lawyers Weekly managing editor Jerome Doraisamy said: “The annual Legal Firm of Choice Survey, and its Top 25 Attraction Firms ranking, always offers a fascinating glimpse into how lawyers on the ground view their current employers, and prospective future ones.

“The insights detailed in this ranking – and in other key metrics soon to be published by Lawyers Weekly – should be keenly observed by any large law firm that prioritises staff retention and worker satisfaction.

“It is our pleasure to unveil this year’s ranking – we hope you find the results insightful!”

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Methodology

The annual Lawyers Weekly Top 25 Attraction Firms ranking is based on responses derived from one question within the recent Legal Firm of Choice Survey, which asked participants: “Which legal firms would you consider a move to if you ever decided to leave your current organisation?”

Respondents were able to choose up to five law firms they’d be interested in joining and then were asked, if they had the option, to identify their top choice among those five they selected.

From this, each answer is assigned a point. The ranking is determined by the total points, with the firm that receives the most points ranked the highest. In the event of a tie, a secondary question is used to distinguish between competing firms.

To ensure fairness and integrity, participants are not permitted to vote for their own firm, preventing any organisation from influencing the outcome.

The Top Attraction Firms 2025–26

According to the Legal Firm of Choice Survey, the top 25 firms this year, with their rankings from the previous year’s results in brackets, are as follows:

25. DWF (new entrant to the ranking)

24. Gilchrist Connell (up from 50th in 2024–25)

23. Arnold Bloch Leibler (up from 45th)

22. DLA Piper (up from 28th)

21. Maurice Blackburn (down from 18th)

20. Norton Rose Fulbright (down from 19th)

19. Macpherson Kelley (up from 52nd)

18. Allen & Overy (down from 15th)

17. Maddocks (down from 12th)

16. Clifford Chance (up from 21st)

15. Hamilton Locke (up from 20th)

14. Wotton + Kearney (up from 30th)

13. Mills Oakley (down from 9th)

12. HWL Ebsworth Lawyers (up from 13th)

11. Lander & Rogers (down from 11th)

10. Baker McKenzie (up from 14th)

9. Corrs Chambers Westgarth (down from 8th)

8. Hall & Wilcox (down from 7th)

7. Gilbert + Tobin Lawyers (up from 11th)

6. Clayton Utz (down from 4th)

5. King & Wood Mallesons (up from 6th)

4. Ashurst (down from 3rd)

3. Herbert Smith Freehills (up from 5th)

2. Allens (down from 1st)

1. MinterEllison (up from 2nd)