Insight

Announcing the 2022 Best Lawyers™ in Australia

The results include an elite field of top lawyers and firms.

Announcing the 2022 Best Lawyers™ in Australi
Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers

April 14, 2021 03:30 PM

Every year for 40 years we highlight the extraordinary accomplishments of those in the legal profession; completely unbiased legal referrals from the best attorneys in the world.

Without a doubt, Australia's legal communities are growing more impressive every year and this year, the numbers prove it. More than 4,000 lawyers, in 94 practice areas, working in 534 firms, have been honored by their constituents in the 14th Edition of The Best Lawyers in Australia. The list grew by 29 firms and 245 new lawyers, representing 267 new listings. This incredible growth is representative of the growing talent and dedication of attorneys and firms throughout the country, despite the COVID-19 pandemic and the devastating wildfires that impacted so many.

Attorneys Making an Impact

Attorneys shape our communities and touch almost every aspect of our lives. They help us seek justice, protect our rights, our families, our health and well-being, our businesses and so much more. When we recognize attorneys and firms in The Best Lawyers in Australia, the intention is to shine a light on the dedicated professionals who work tirelessly for the needs of their clients and communities. These are the people truly making an impact and inspiring all of us in the process.

Lawyers who are nominated for consideration in The Best Lawyers in Australia are voted on by currently recognized Best Lawyers ™ working in the same practice area and located in the same geographic region. They are asked "If you could not handle a case yourself, how likely are you to recommend this lawyer?" They then grade the nominees from one to five, with a five reserved for those to whom a voter would “definitely refer” a case. It falls then to "probably refer," "would hesitate to refer," down to "would not refer." Lawyers can also provide additional feedback if they choose.

Best Lawyers awards and recognitions are based purely on the feedback we receive from these top lawyers. Those who receive high peer reviews undergo a thorough verification process to make sure they are currently still in private practice. Only then can these top lawyers be recognized by Best Lawyers.

Publication Statistics

The Australian Financial Review, our long-time media partner, will feature an excerpt of the 14th Edition of The Best Lawyers in Australia. Here are highlights from this year’s edition:

  • 4,331 Lawyers Recognized
  • 547 Firms with listed lawyers
  • 94 Practice Areas
  • 22 "Law Firm of the Year" Awards

Top 5 metro areas (by number of listed lawyers):

Top 10 practice areas (by number of listed lawyers):

  • Litigation (742)
  • Insurance Law (440)
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution (437)
  • Corporate Law (376)
  • Construction / Infrastructure Law (365)
  • Mergers and Acquisitions Law (358)
  • Real Property Law (332)
  • Commercial Law (322)
  • Labour and Employment Law (259)
  • Insolvency and Reorganization Law (256)

Top 10 most searched practice areas in Australia in 2020 on bestlawyers.com:

  • Immigration Law
  • Litigation
  • Labour and Employment Law
  • Insurance Law
  • Commercial Law
  • Tax Law
  • Corporate Law
  • Real Property Law
  • Banking and Finance Law
  • Planning and Environmental Law

Law Firm of the Year

“Law Firm of the Year” awards recognize a single top firm for its work in a specific legal practice area nationwide. Awards are determined based on a handful of factors including lawyer feedback, the number of lawyers included in Best Lawyers for that firm and practice area, the number of office locations a firm has, historical analysis of the firm’s “Lawyer of the Year” awards, materials submitted by firms, and the firm’s overall scope and areas of expertise.

The 2022 “Law Firm of the Year” recipients are:

Interested in seeing Best Lawyers honorees in Australia? Use our Find a Lawyer tool to search by location and specialty.

Access the full report of Best Lawyers international releases, updated continuously.

Related Articles

Announcing The Best Lawyers in Germany™ 2023


by Best Lawyers

The results include an elite field of top lawyers and firms from Germany.

Black, red and yellow stripes

Announcing The Best Lawyers in Switzerland™ 2023


by Best Lawyers

The results include an elite field of top lawyers and firms from Switzerland.

Red flag with white cross

Announcing The Best Lawyers in Austria™ 2023


by Best Lawyers

The results include an elite field of top lawyers and firms from Austria.

Red and white stripes

Announcing The Best Lawyers in Italy™ 2023


by Best Lawyers

The results include an elite field of top lawyers and firms from Italy.

Green, white and red stripes

Announcing the 2022 Best Lawyers in Colombia™


by Best Lawyers

The results include an elite field of top lawyers and firms.

Announcing the 2022 Best Lawyers in Colombia™

Announcing the 2022 Best Lawyers in South Africa™


by Best Lawyers

The results include an elite field of top lawyers and firms.

Announcing 2022 Best Lawyers in South Africa

Announcing the 2022 Best Lawyers™ in Switzerland


by Best Lawyers

The results include an elite field of top lawyers and firms.

Announcing the 2022 Best Lawyers™ in Switzerl

Announcing the 2022 Best Lawyers™ in Germany


by Best Lawyers

The results include an elite field of top lawyers and firms, including our inaugural Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch recipients.

Announcing the 2022 Best Lawyers™ in Germany

Announcing the 2022 Best Lawyers™ in Austria


by Best Lawyers

The results include an elite field of top lawyers and firms.

Announcing the 2022 Best Lawyers™ in Austria

Announcing the 2022 Best Lawyers™ in Russia


by Best Lawyers

The results include an elite field of top lawyers and firms.

Announcing the 2022 Best Lawyers™ in Russia

Announcing the 2021 Best Lawyers in South Africa


by Best Lawyers

For the 12th Edition, Best Lawyers recognizes the top 2 percent of practicing lawyers in the nation.

2021 Best Lawyers in South Africa

Announcing the 2021 Best Lawyers in Portugal


by Best Lawyers

The results include an elite field of top lawyers and firms.

2021 Best Lawyers in Portugal

Announcing the 2021 Best Lawyers in Spain


by Best Lawyers

Featuring the nation's top 2 percent of practicing lawyers.

2021 Best Lawyers in Spain

Announcing the 2021 Best Lawyers in Brazil


by Best Lawyers

Featuring the top firms and lawyers in Brazil.

2021 Best Lawyers in Brazil

Announcing the 2021 Best Lawyers in Mexico


by Best Lawyers

For the twelfth year, honoring the top lawyers and firms in Mexico.

2021 Best Lawyers in Mexico

2021 Best Lawyers International


by Best Lawyers

Featuring the top legal talent from around the globe.

Best Lawyers International 2021

Trending Articles

Announcing the 2023 The Best Lawyers in America Honorees


by Best Lawyers

Only the top 5.3% of all practicing lawyers in the U.S. were selected by their peers for inclusion in the 29th edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.

Gold strings and dots connecting to form US map

Announcing the 2022 Best Lawyers® in the United States


by Best Lawyers

The results include an elite field of top lawyers listed in the 28th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America® and in the 2nd Edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for 2022.

2022 Best Lawyers Listings for United States

2021 Best Lawyers: The Global Issue


by Best Lawyers

The 2021 Global Issue features top legal talent from the most recent editions of Best Lawyers and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch worldwide.

2021 Best Lawyers: The Global Issue

The U.S. Best Lawyers Voting Season Is Open


by Best Lawyers

The voting season for the 31st edition of The Best Lawyers in America® and the 5th edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America is officially underway, and we are offering some helpful advice to this year’s voters.

Golden figures of people standing on blue surface connected by white lines

How To Find A Pro Bono Lawyer


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers dives into the vital role pro bono lawyers play in ensuring access to justice for all and the transformative impact they have on communities.

Hands joined around a table with phone, paper, pen and glasses

What the Courts Say About Recording in the Classroom


by Christina Henagen Peer and Peter Zawadski

Students and parents are increasingly asking to use audio devices to record what's being said in the classroom. But is it legal? A recent ruling offer gives the answer to a question confusing parents and administrators alike.

Is It Legal for Students to Record Teachers?

How Palworld Is Testing the Limits of Nintendo’s Legal Power


by Gregory Sirico

Many are calling the new game Palworld “Pokémon GO with guns,” noting the games striking similarities. Experts speculate how Nintendo could take legal action.

Animated figures with guns stand on top of creatures

The Best Lawyers in Australia™ 2024 Launch


by Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers is excited to announce The Best Lawyers in Australia™ for 2023, including the top lawyers and law firms from Australia.

Australian Parliament beside water at sunset

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for 2023


by Best Lawyers

The third edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America™ highlights the legal talent of lawyers who have been in practice less than 10 years.

Three arrows made of lines and dots on blue background

Inflation Escalation


by Ashley S. Wagner

Inflation and rising costs are at the forefront of everyone’s mind as we enter 2023. The current volatile market makes it more important than ever to understand the rent escalation clauses in current and future commercial lease agreements.

Suited figure in front of rising market and inflated balloon

A Celebration of Excellence: The Best Lawyers in Canada 2024 Awards


by Best Lawyers

As we embark on the 18th edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada™, we are excited to highlight excellence and top legal talent across the country.

Abstract image of red and white Canada flag in triangles

8 Different Types of Criminal Defenses in Law


by Best Lawyers

Learn about the different types of criminal defenses available in law, including innocence, self-defense, insanity and more. Protect your rights today.

Silver handcuffs laying on finger printed papers

Wage and Overtime Laws for Truck Drivers


by Greg Mansell

For truck drivers nationwide, underpayment and overtime violations are just the beginning of a long list of problems. Below we explore the wages you are entitled to but may not be receiving.

Truck Driver Wage and Overtime Laws in the US

The Upcycle Conundrum


by Karen Kreider Gaunt

Laudable or litigious? What you need to know about potential copyright and trademark infringement when repurposing products.

Repurposed Products and Copyright Infringemen

Choosing a Title Company: What a Seller Should Expect


by Roy D. Oppenheim

When it comes to choosing a title company, how much power exactly does a seller have?

Choosing the Title Company As Seller

Unwrapping Shrinkflation


by Justin Smulison

Through the lens of the United States, we take a closer look at the global implication of companies downsizing products while maintaining and often raising prices.

Chocolate bar being unwrapped from foil