Now in its ninth iteration, the Top 25 Attraction Firms ranking is a key element of the Legal Firm of Choice Survey, which identifies the most sought-after private legal practices across the country.

This latest survey was conducted between 22 January and 14 February and received 401 responses in total, recording the attitudes, priorities, and perceptions of legal professionals in private practice across Australia.

Every year, some firms rise up the rankings while others slide down the list. As in previous years, the 2023–24 results offer an intriguing insight into how lawyers perceive prospective employers – particularly in a time of increased competition for work, an ongoing cost-of-living crisis and high inflation, among other market factors.

Speaking about the results from the annual ranking – compiled by market research agency Agile Market Intelligence – Lawyers Weekly editor Jerome Doraisamy said: “It is always intriguing to see which law firms legal professionals are most interested in moving to if they were to make such a vocational shift.

“This year’s ranking crowns a new most sought-after firm and presents a few new entrants compared to previous years. The list should, therefore, provide good motivation for firms of all stripes to ensure their offerings (both to the market and existing and prospective staff) are in keeping with shifting expectations and demands from various stakeholders.

“As always, Lawyers Weekly and Agile Market Intelligence welcome questions and feedback about the ranking and survey and, ultimately, where legal recruitment in the professional services marketplace is headed.”

The methodology

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

Respondents can select up to five firms they would be interested in moving to and are then asked to select the firm they would prefer first, if they had the choice, of their selected five.

From this, each of the answers is given a point. The ranking is based on the point system, with the firm with the most points given first in the ranking. In the event of a tie-break, the secondary question was used to delineate between prospective employers.

Respondents to the survey were unable to vote for their own firm – thereby eliminating the possibility of any firm skewing results in its favour.

The Top 25 Attraction Firms for 2023–24

With a firm’s most recent ranking in brackets, this year’s top 25 firms, according to the Legal Firm of Choice Survey, are:

25. Clifford Chance (down from 18th in 2022–23)

24. Deloitte Legal (unranked in 2022–23)

=21. Allen & Overy (unranked last year)

=21. Maddocks (down from 19th)

=21. McCullough Robertson (unranked last year)

=19. Cooper Grace Ward (unranked last year)

=19. Moray & Agnew (unranked last year)

18. K&L Gates (unranked last year)

17. Slater and Gordon (up from 25th)

=15. Baker McKenzie (down from 10th)

=15. HWL Ebsworth (same as in 2022–23)

14. Corrs Chambers Westgarth (down from 6th)

13. DLA Piper (unranked last year)

12. Gilbert + Tobin (down from 11th)

11. Barry Nilsson (unranked last year)

10. Maurice Blackburn (up from 20th)

9. Mills Oakley (up from 12th)

8. Herbert Smith Freehills (down from equal 1st)

7. Lander & Rogers (up from 8th)

6. Ashurst (down from 4th)

5. Clayton Utz (up from 7th)

4. Hall & Wilcox (down from 3rd)

3. King & Wood Mallesons (down from equal 1st)

2. MinterEllison (up from 9th)

1. Allens (up from 5th)

If you or your firm have any questions about this year’s Top 25 Attraction Firms ranking and the annual Legal Firm of Choice Survey, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..