Best Law Firms in Germany Announces 2nd Edition Rankings

AUGUSTA, GA., (September 25, 2025) — Best Law Firms^TM in Germany today announced the results of its second annual rankings, the most comprehensive evaluation of the German legal market to date. The 2025 edition surveyed 1,278 law firms and collected insights from more than 16,000 legal professionals and clients, representing the largest independent assessment of legal excellence in Germany.

Comprehensive market analysis reveals industry trends

The second edition gathered an unprecedented volume of data from the German legal community, including:

— 359,627 peer votes from 6,000 surveyed lawyers evaluating 1,824 firms across the German market — 23,041 client evaluations with 1,473 detailed client comments from 10,291 surveyed clients
— 60 in-depth leadership interviews with managing partners and practice group leaders — 10,291 client references providing comprehensive market insights

"This year's data represents the most thorough analysis of Germany's legal landscape we've ever conducted," said Phillip Greer, CEO of Best Law Firms. "The depth of participation from both the legal community and clients demonstrates the market's commitment to transparency and excellence."

Three-tier recognition system honors market leaders

The rankings recognize firms across three distinct tiers of excellence:

Regional Excellence (Top 2%): 1,243 firms recognized across 60 practice areas for their regional market leadership and client service excellence.

National Recognition (Top 0.6%): 383 firms achieving national prominence across 23 practice areas, demonstrating exceptional expertise and market influence.

Law Firm of the Year (Top 0.03%): 21 elite firms receiving the highest honor across 23 practice areas, representing the pinnacle of legal excellence in Germany.

German legal market shows increased domestic focus

This year's survey reveals a notable shift in the German legal market toward domestic-focused practices. While major international consolidations continue — highlighted by the merger of Herbert Smith Freehills and Kramer Levin to form Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer — the data indicate that German firms are increasingly concentrating on local and national matters rather than cross-border work.

The most active practice areas continue to reflect Germany's strong business environment, with corporate law and mergers and acquisitions law, labor and employment law, intellectual property law, and data privacy law maintaining their positions as the most represented practice areas from the previous year.

"German law firms are adapting strategically to market conditions by strengthening their domestic capabilities," Greer said. "This focus on local expertise positions these firms well to serve Germany's robust economy and evolving regulatory landscape."

Methodology ensures objectivity and comprehensive coverage

The Best Law Firms in Germany rankings employ a rigorous, multifaceted methodology that combines quantitative and qualitative assessments. The evaluation process includes peer review from legal professionals, comprehensive client feedback, detailed practice area analysis, and extensive leadership interviews to ensure accurate representation of firm capabilities and market standing.

The survey's scope — covering nearly 1,300 firms and gathering input from more than 16,000 participants — provides unprecedented insight into the competitive dynamics and service quality across Germany's legal market.