New York is arguably the world’s largest and most prominent legal market; therefore, it’s no surprise it’s also home to some of the world’s largest law firms. The city is an established and sophisticated legal epicenter aided by its positioning as one of the leading global financial centers. The strong level of talent and high billing rates drive firms of all sizes to seek growth opportunities in the city, even with its high level of law firm competition.
New York also boasts a leading office real estate market. According to ALM research, 24 of the top 30 largest US-based firms in New York by attorney headcount (referred to as the New York Top 30 from hereon) transacted on office space in the city between 2008 and 2023. This briefing analyzes the real estate activity of these 24 transacting firms, focusing on changes to square footage, location, and the grade of space. This data has been gathered through archived articles from ALM publications and law firm press releases.
