The Big Six is a term that has traditionally referred to the six largest Australian law firms, as assessed by revenue and lawyer head count.[1][2] From the mid-1980s, the phrase was in regular use to distinguish the largest Australian firms, collectively, from their smaller competitors.[3] While informal, it was a widely-used descriptor, appearing in news items, industry commentary and scholarly articles.[4]
In 2012, four of the Big Six firms merged or formed association relationships with firms from other countries.[5] As the Australian legal scene has evolved since these changes, the term Big Six has become less applicable, although it is still in use in some media discussion.[6] Other terms, such as "top-tier law firm" are sometimes used in media coverage when the largest law firms in Australia, commonly a set of eight such firms,[a] are mentioned. Other labels used to refer to the largest, or most lucrative, law firms operating in Australia have been suggested, such as "global elite law firms" or "international business law firms".[7][8] The term "Big 8" has also made an appearance in business news coverage.[9]
Though Slater & Gordon is a well-known law firm, its market capitalisation of $151 million would be dwarfed if any of Australia's "big six" law firms - Allens Arthur Robinson, Blake Dawson Waldron, Clayton Utz, Freehills, Mallesons Stephen Jaques and Minter Ellison - decided to float.
Now they are said to be intensifying a push into the Asia-Pacific region to boost their revenue base. This move offshore is not explained as bringing high standards, new techniques and justice to other countries. It is explained on the basis that "the top six are punching each other up". Apparently you have to move offshore if you are going to increase market share. Today the major law firms in Australia employ thousands of personnel. The top six each have between 500 and 1,000 lawyers working for them.
Today, almost all this has changed. The top 20 law firms in Australia account for 80 per cent of the nation's market for commercial legal services. At the beginning of the new century they earned more than $2.5 billion in fees, which is small beer by international standards. Now the top six, each of which has up to 1,000 lawyers working for them, are moving into the Asia-Pacific region in a quest for market share.
Australian law firm Sparke Helmore has hired a partner from one of Australia's Big Six firms to join its government practice.
finrev2019 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).beaton was invoked but never defined (see the help page).The Big 8 are MinterEllison (1113), Allens (1007), HWL Ebsworth (975), Clayton Utz (923), King & Wood Mallesons (892), Herbert Smith Freehills (873), Corrs Chambers Westgarth (749) and Ashurst (738).
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