Big Six law firms (Australia)

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 [cite web
title=Australian Law Award Awards Function Westin Hotel, Sydney
url=http://www.hcourt.gov.au/speeches/kirbyj/kirbyj_award.htm
publisher=High Court of Australia
first=Michael
last=Kirby
authorlink=Michael Kirby
date=2002-03-07
accessdate=2008-05-15 ] . The following firms are usually seen as comprising the "Big Six" (listed alphabetically):

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

Five of the six firms are among the 100 largest law firms globally. In terms of revenue as at 2006, these are:

# Freehills (ranked 78th)
# Mallesons Stephen Jaques (ranked 79th)
# Minter Ellison (ranked 88th)
# Clayton Utz (ranked 89th)
# Allens Arthur Robinson (ranked 95th)

Blake Dawson is outside the world's 100 largest law firms.

Several of these firms are also leading firms in the Asia Pacific region generally. In 2007, Freehills, Allens Arthur Robinson, Clayton Utz 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. [cite web
title=Freehills has firm grip on top spot in league tables |url=http://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/articles/Freehills-has-firm-grip-on-top-spot-in-league-tables_z76932.htm
publisher=Lawyers Weekly Online
date=2007-10-16
accessdate=2008-05-15] .

Related phrases

*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

ee also

* Magic Circle (law)
* White shoe firm

References