Global legal trends shift as frequently as the weather, and in some cases, are even more unpredictable. In today’s constantly evolving legal climate, possessing the tools to pinpoint, understand and utilize these trends is critical in such a competitive industry.
Following the initial phase of global expansion into Australia’s legal market, Best Law Firms conducted a series of comprehensive surveys of law firms in Germany, harnessing the same proven methodology and research process we’ve applied to the United States for over a decade.
In this article, Best Law Firms provides key insights into the German legal market’s top contenders, their operational focuses, pro bono work and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
A Note on the Data: Participation in the Law Firm Survey is voluntary, and respondents are not required to answer every question. Thus, a cross-comparison of the highlighted data points above may not be an accurate representation.
Location, Location, Location: Domestic v. International Firm Presence
The survey data for Germany reveals a steady emphasis on favoring domestic firm locations over expanding international operations. Despite most responding firms operating out of a singular legal hub (150), there remains a trend of firms boasting multiple locations across the country.
According to the survey data, eight firms currently have 10 or more locations spread throughout several metro areas, contributing to success in revenue growth and increases in client exposure or firm notoriety.
Internationally, 12 of the 190 firms who participated in the survey have expanded their operations throughout the greater EU, U.S. or other parts of the world in a massive way.
Standouts include Baker Tilly with 658 locations and Ernst & Young Law GmbH with 700 locations outside the German legal market.
This diverse approach in firm operations and geographical locations underlines German law firms’ varying tactics and strategies to achieve the same end goal: to best serve their clientele by establishing a sound legal presence in the market.
Pro Bono Powerhouses
A charitable staple of the legal profession, pro bono legal work is a valued contribution offered by law firms worldwide. In some cases, firms develop dedicated programs and requirements around pro bono work, ensuring their communities have free access to justice and legal representation.
Similarly to the statistics compiled for Australia, the Best Law Firms survey also collected data on the pro bono hours contributed by participating German-based firms over a year.
The surveyed firms reported 47,454 total pro bono hours completed across 30 different firms in Germany. However, a few select firms stood out as exceptional contributors in the pro bono category, including Streitbörger Part GmbB with 1,200 hours and Schalast Law with 800 hours.
Over the past year, Germany's top law firms have exhibited a keen focus and deep-seated commitment to offering pro bono work, further highlighting their dedication to social responsibility and access to justice.
Their continued efforts contribute significantly to building a more equitable society and ensuring that legal support is accessible to all, regardless of economic status or cultural background.
Commitment to an Inclusive Future
Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the legal industry is an ethical obligation.
By fostering an inclusive workplace culture, law firms openly express that all opinions, backgrounds and diverse perspectives are valued, which can deliver more comprehensive solutions for clients and build a stronger team more representative of the world’s multicultural society.
According to the data, most of the German-based firms that participated (75) currently have systems in place to promote and educate staff about the benefits and importance of DEI in a legal environment.
From appointing full-time DEI officers or diversity professionals to holding regular training programs, establishing a diversity committee and hosting community outreach programs, Germany’s most successful law firms actively make DEI a top priority.
Conclusion
The Best Law Firms Survey offers a detailed look at the current state of Germany’s legal industry, highlighting domestic and international firm presence, pro bono work and top law firms commitment to driving diversity, equity and inclusion standards forward.
As global legal trends evolve and shift along with changes in public sentiment and geopolitics, staying informed and ahead of them will make all the difference.
For more information about the Best Law Firms survey process or to inquire about participation in next year’s survey, please contact bestlawfirms@bestlawyers.com.
