University of Kwazulu-Natal

How To Stand Out In Chambers Rankings A Strategic Guide For Law Firms

Bonisiwe Shabane
-
how to stand out in chambers rankings a strategic guide for law firms

For law firms and lawyers, a Chambers ranking is more than a badge of honor. It’s a stamp of market credibility. Clients notice it. Competitors track it. And in some cases, it influences who gets hired and who gets shortlisted. But the process of earning that recognition is often misunderstood.

Too many firms take a passive approach, recycling old matter descriptions or rushing through submissions without thinking about what Chambers is actually looking for. Others rely too heavily on reputation alone, assuming that great legal work will speak for itself (it won’t). Chambers rankings are the result of a thoughtful and strategic effort to showcase the right work, from the right voices, in the right way. Strong Chambers submissions require more than a checklist. They need narrative, clarity and strategy. This guide breaks down what works, what doesn’t and how to put your firm in the best possible position to stand out.

Whether you’re aiming to be ranked for the first time or looking to move up the tables, it starts with doing the work to tell your story well. Here’s how: To get a lawyer ranked in Chambers, focus on the following steps: Learn about the value of being a ranked firm with Chambers USA and gain advice on what makes a successful submission. Achieving a ranking in a Chambers Guide provides a unique platform and opportunity to stand out from competitors. Chambers rankings are based on the in-depth and unrivaled market research conducted by our dedicated team of Research Analysts.

We speak to thousands of attorneys, law firm clients and other legal experts to understand the work and services offered by law firms looking to secure a ranking in the Chambers USA guide. A Chambers ranking is considered the most important legal ranking in the market. In a recent independent study of over 600 senior legal professionals, it was found that over 85% of respondents stated a Chambers ranking helped to retain and win new business. Achieving a ranking in the Chambers USA Guide offers a unique and engaging platform for law firms to generate leads, win and retain business from clients, as well as stand out as a highly... A listing on Chambers.com can improve a firm's discoverability in online search results. Improving your firm's Legal 500/Chambers rankings is a three-pronged process, consisting of a strong submission, coordinated referee management and a well-prepped, insightful research interview.

Before even starting your application, you need to understand the key criteria, which I have detailed here. Starting with the submission, here's my pointers on how to optimise each section of the Legal 500/Chambers document: · Your Practice/What is Your Department Best Known For – Use this section to succinctly relay your key tangible strengths as a practice i.e., the types of matters you are reputed for, your key... I would also recommend having a section labelled 'What's New' where you address new arrivals, standout new clients and trends in your workload. This section can be kept simple. Far, far too many firms would write thousands of words here without relaying this essential information.

Focusing on subjective content such as the level of client service (which is gauged via referee feedback as opposed to the submission) is not the way to go, nor is diving straight into the... Legal guide rankings can serve as useful third-party recognition that can aid with confirmation of referrals, provide valuable content for social media, assist with recruiting efforts for law students and laterals, and reinforce market... In addition, these rankings are important to many lawyers. There is a lot involved with creating top-notch directory submissions so making the right decision when it comes to which ones to pursue is important. In addition, not all directories are created equal or worth our time and effort. That being said, it’s always nice to be publicly recognized for your accomplishments and work.

It’s even better when you are being patted on the back by your actual clients, which is why Chambers and Legal 500 are considered the gold standard of legal guides. When I moved to overseeing marketing a mid-size firm from Big Law, I found the legal guides process to be more challenging because of the stiff competition from large firms and the rigidity of... In 2025, legal rankings matter more than ever for law firms looking to stand out and attract great clients and talent. This guide breaks down the key legal rankings, what they look for, and how firms can secure or improve their position. Vault ranks the Top 100 most prestigious law firms in the U.S., based entirely on peer perception rather than financial metrics or deal volume. Rankings reflect a firm reputation among associates nationwide.

2025 Vault Law 100 rankings are based on surveys conducted from January to March 2024.

People Also Search

For Law Firms And Lawyers, A Chambers Ranking Is More

For law firms and lawyers, a Chambers ranking is more than a badge of honor. It’s a stamp of market credibility. Clients notice it. Competitors track it. And in some cases, it influences who gets hired and who gets shortlisted. But the process of earning that recognition is often misunderstood.

Too Many Firms Take A Passive Approach, Recycling Old Matter

Too many firms take a passive approach, recycling old matter descriptions or rushing through submissions without thinking about what Chambers is actually looking for. Others rely too heavily on reputation alone, assuming that great legal work will speak for itself (it won’t). Chambers rankings are the result of a thoughtful and strategic effort to showcase the right work, from the right voices, in...

Whether You’re Aiming To Be Ranked For The First Time

Whether you’re aiming to be ranked for the first time or looking to move up the tables, it starts with doing the work to tell your story well. Here’s how: To get a lawyer ranked in Chambers, focus on the following steps: Learn about the value of being a ranked firm with Chambers USA and gain advice on what makes a successful submission. Achieving a ranking in a Chambers Guide provides a unique pla...

We Speak To Thousands Of Attorneys, Law Firm Clients And

We speak to thousands of attorneys, law firm clients and other legal experts to understand the work and services offered by law firms looking to secure a ranking in the Chambers USA guide. A Chambers ranking is considered the most important legal ranking in the market. In a recent independent study of over 600 senior legal professionals, it was found that over 85% of respondents stated a Chambers ...

Before Even Starting Your Application, You Need To Understand The

Before even starting your application, you need to understand the key criteria, which I have detailed here. Starting with the submission, here's my pointers on how to optimise each section of the Legal 500/Chambers document: · Your Practice/What is Your Department Best Known For – Use this section to succinctly relay your key tangible strengths as a practice i.e., the types of matters you are repu...