Big Six law firms

The Big Six law firms is a term informally used in Australia to refer to those firms which, collectively, are perceived to be the leading firms headquartered in Australia and distinguished in comparison to their other competitors ^[1]. The following firms are usually seen as composing the "Big Six" (listed alphabetically):

• Allens Arthur Robinson
• Blake Dawson
• Clayton Utz
• Freehills
• Mallesons Stephen Jaques
• Minter Ellison

Four of the six firms are among the 100 largest law firms globally. In terms of revenue as at 2008, these are:

1. Mallesons Stephen Jaques (ranked 78th)
2. Freehills (ranked 86th)
3. Minter Ellison (ranked 88th)
4. Clayton Utz (ranked 97th)

Several of these firms are also leading firms in the Asia Pacific region generally. In 2007, Allens Arthur Robinson, Clayton Utz, Freehills and Mallesons Stephen Jaques were the top five firms in the Asia Pacific region in mergers and acquisitions transactions, ranking above Magic Circle firm Linklaters.^[2].

Related phrases

• Magic Circle (law) - five firms with headquarters in London regarded as the leading firms in the United Kingdom.
• Global Quartet or Big Four, referring to members of the Magic Circle other than Slaughter and May as it has, in general, not pursued a policy of expansion
• Golden Circle, a term used for example, by The Economist, or Silver Circle coined by The Lawyer magazine in 2005 to describe mid-market or boutique law firms in the UK with profits per partner levels similar to those of the Magic Circle but being much smaller in terms of overall turnover and numbers of lawyers
• White shoe firms or Charmed Circle, referring to law firms perceived to be the leading New York City law firms
• Seven Sisters, referring to the seven Canadian law firms considered to be the top tier
• Big Three, referring to three Texas law firms considered to be the top tier

See also

• Magic Circle (law)
• White shoe firm

References