Law firm consolidation continues to shape Asia’s legal market. This year’s Asia 50, our annual ranking of the largest firms in the Asia-Pacific region, highlights the growth of firms joining forces to create larger regional or even international players. It also indicates how some firms are evolving some years after big mergers.
Overall, the survey recorded solid growth in 2013, the year for which data was collected. Total head count at Asia 50 firms grew 6.1 percent to 33,028 lawyers, with a few firms making more dramatic jumps. On a country-by-country basis, China-based firms registered the most growth, 11 percent, with 17 firms making it to the top 50. Korea and India-based firms expanded by 6.8 percent and 6.6 percent, respectively, although the growth was largely driven by one or two leaders in each market. In India, Amarchand & Mangaldas & Suresh A. Shroff & Co. saw its lawyer numbers increase by 26 percent; in Korea, Yulchon grew by 14.3 percent and Kim & Chang by 8.3 percent.
