Boston Legal Landscape: An Overview
The city of Boston is known for many things: its sports teams, world-class education, history, and most importantly for this post, its thriving selection of law firms. With such a vast array of legal representation available, choosing a firm can be daunting, as there are many factors to consider beyond the firm’s area of practice(s). One of those may be size, since it can determine everything from the length of time to have a case seen to which partner or associate will be the star of the courtroom.
From Boston’s historic roots – such as the Boston Massacre – to today’s events – like the 118th Boston Marathon – our city is constantly in the news, and business isn’t far behind. With such a prime location on one of America’s oldest ports, it only makes sense that so many firms would call Boston home.
In recent years, Boston’s legal sector has grown to include law firms ranging in size from a single attorney to 100+ lawyers, with a primary focus in practice areas such as litigation, corporate law, and intellectual property. The chart below shows the distribution of law firms by size from 2018.
Law Firm Size is Measured by Number of Attorneys
Sources: Above the Law and American Bar Association
The list above shows a quick comparison of the size of Bostons’ largest law firms. Consider this: Ropes & Gray LLP has more than 1,000 licensed attorneys, and WilmerHale LLP has just over 1,000. In fact, these are two of the largest firms in the country, if not the world. Worldwide, the largest law firm by number of attorneys, Dentons, have more than 10,000 lawyers. Another note is that four of these firms have been listed among the "Global Elite," meaning they are the largest in the world by revenue.
So , how does this compare to the rest of the United States for law firm size? The ABA reports that 74 percent of all attorneys in the U.S. work in firms of 10 lawyers or fewer; an average firm has 4.4 lawyers, and two-thirds of all attorneys work in firms of 50 lawyers or fewer. This means that Boston has a larger percentage of large firms than the rest of the U.S.
One advantage for choosing a larger law firm is having access to attorneys specializing in almost every area of the law. Most employees at these firms are extremely educated and experienced, and if they are not experts on a specific issue, they are more likely able to find the expert who is. This plays into the notion of having access to "team players," since the network of fellow attorneys offers an easy connection to a wide range of people in various practice areas.
However, with all of these pros, there are some significant cons. Most big firms are located in the same five-block area in the middle of Boston, which means that commuting to work is tough, even for those living in the suburbs; offices tend to be in high-rise towers located near large office buildings; and the high number of cases handled by the firm means clients may be the to pay a higher price for services. It also means that each attorney will almost certainly be specialized at a specific area of the law.
On the other hand, smaller firms tend to spread out across town, with offices in different districts. While they don’t always offer the most resources, they do tend to be more personal, allowing clients to develop closer relationships with the attorneys. At the end of the day, availability of services, fees and benefits as a client will be unique to every firm, so it’s important to consider all options before deciding on the right law firm for you.
Boutique/Small Law Firms: Tailored Legal Solutions
For many individuals and businesses, partnering with a small law firm in Boston can deliver a host of advantages. One of the primary benefits of working with a small law firm is the level of personal attention you’ll receive from your lawyers. Because these firms tend to have fewer clients, they’re able to provide a more personalized approach to each case and concern.
One particularly important benefit of working with a small firm is the deep bench of niche expertise in highly specialized areas of law. Small firms in Boston typically take a uniquely "hands-on" approach to their practice, which proves invaluable for many clients when they face complicated legal matters. Some top small Boston law firms include:
Alden Law Offices, P.C. – A general practice law firm that primarily focuses on family law, criminal law, and estate planning. The firm has developed a strong track record in a range of family law matters such as divorce, alimony, child support, property division, paternity actions, and domestic violence.
Bailey, Dhar & Islands, LLP – Boston’s oldest Indian-owned law firm, ABDI offers services in corporate law, U.S. immigration law, litigation, entertainment law, personal injury law, and intellectual property law. In addition to offering legal services, ABDI takes an active role in Boston’s immigrant community, using their practice as a platform to help those in need.
Bennett & Sharp, LLP – This full-service law firm offers practice in virtually every legal discipline, from real estate to divorce, corporations and business law. Their size, ability, and resources allows them to provide a personal level of service while keeping a constant eye on cost.
Berkshire Law Offices – A small firm that provides civil litigation assistance in a wide range of areas. Their practice includes real estate, land use, zoning, probate, and trademark law.
Dabrowski Law, LLC – Attorneys at this firm offer legal services in matters of immigration, business and corporate formations, and business disagreements.
For individuals and businesses alike, working with a small Boston law firm opens the door to a wide array of advantages. These firms are typically more willing to take on complex cases, while providing their clients with the attention and personal interaction they expect from their attorneys.
Middle-Sized Law Firms: Comprehensive Services
A medium-sized law firm is usually defined as one with 50 to 200 attorneys. These firms are able to offer a wide range of services due to their robust structure and resources, which can put them on an equal footing with large law firms for most legal matters. But they also have the advantage of being small enough not to make the firm-client relationship feel too impersonal. It is generally easier to deal with the same lawyer on every matter than with a small army of lawyers who might be working on similar matters.
In Boston, Sullivan & Worcester LLP is well regarded for its wide range of practices. The firm is particularly strong in emerging technology, private equity funds and (non-fair competition) antitrust and trade regulation. Bigelow LLP is another midsize firm that has developed a particularly good reputation in the technical and life sciences fields.
Medium-sized firms are some of the most flexible in terms of their fee arrangements. For example, they often take on certain types of work on a contingent fee basis, which is a big selling point for entrepreneurs with limited capital.
Large Law Firms: Robust Legal Resources
Large law firms make up a smaller portion of the overall Boston legal market but still field valuable teams for the right kind of work. Large firms typically have greater resources, and can outsource tasks to their nearly limitless pool of associates. They have larger, global networks, enabling them to provide multi-jurisdictional support for far-reaching matters. Additionally, specialized practice groups allow them to deliver deeper expertise in niche areas. As with midsize firms, general commercial and corporate legal work are the mainstay of large firms too.
One of the largest firms in the area is Proskauer Rose LLP, whose 155 Boston-based attorneys are spread across three offices around the world. Globally, the firm employs over 1,000 attorneys across 15 offices on three continents. Associated entities in the U.S., Europe, Asia and South America bolster their international reach. The firm, which has nine specialized business groups, was recently involved in advising Boston Scientific in its $28 billion acquisition of Covidien plc.
Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. holds the No. 2 spot according to Law360’s ranking of Boston law firms by number of attorneys. The firm has about 100 Boston attorneys , approximately one-third the size of Proskauer Rose’s office. Their top three rival firms recently merged, Law360 reports, creating a new firm with eleven offices, 140 partners and 305 associates to make them the largest law firm in New England.
The firm of Ropes & Gray comes in a close third in terms of attorney headcount, but it is perhaps the best known of all the area’s large firms. Its top-notch reputation brings it high-profile merger and IPO work which is more likely to attract well-known clients including Fidelity Investments and Google Ventures. Firm employment has more than doubled in the last decade. Since 2000 it has gone from 31 partners to 255 and from 74 associates to 260. Even though the firm has grown considerably, Ropes & Gray says its average partner heralds from its Boston or New York offices.
Other firms on Law360’s list are: Brown Rudnick LLP (96 attorneys); WilmerHale (77); Fish & Richardson P.C. (70); Duane Morris LLP (49); Hogan Lovells (34); Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP (29 attorneys); and Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP (26).
All of these large law firms in Boston command high rates and have exceptionally strong lawyers. Many partners have been cited by major industry publications as leaders in their field, and every one of these firms is capable of handling significant matters.
Selecting the Right Firm Size for Your Needs
Making an informed decision about the right law firm size for your legal needs requires careful consideration of a variety of factors. In this section, we’ll explore key aspects you must keep in mind when choosing a firm by size and offer practical advice for both individuals and businesses.
Your legal needs will have a significant impact on what size of law firm is right for you. If you have a simple legal issue that requires basic representation, a large firm may not be necessary. On the other hand, complex legal matters or a corporation looking for transactional legal services or litigation support could mean finding a law firm with a large staff and more experience.
Price is always a factor when it comes to choosing a law firm, as larger firms will generally have higher hourly rates due to the number of employees and resources that they have on hand. There’s nothing wrong with shopping around to find the best deal, but it’s important to make sure you’re not turning down a fee that would give you the attention your legal matter deserves.
If you’re not comfortable working with a big firm that has dozens of associates and partners, you may want to stick with a smaller operation to help ease your mind. If you prefer the amenities and prestige associated with a larger firm, you need to do your research into the background and experience of the entire staff of the firm, not just the attorneys you may come into contact with.
Current Trends in Boston Law Firms by Size
The Boston legal marketplace is not only distinguished by its historic institutions and neighborhoods, but also by the diversity of its law firms. Employing over 27,000 attorneys, law firms in Boston come in many shapes and sizes. There are the homegrown behemoth firms, the national and global giants, and the charming little boutiques. Each one meets the needs of its particular clientele and contributes uniquely to the legal landscape of New England. So, what are the trends in the legal marketplace as it relates to firm size?
Recent years have seen several ammunition mergers and acquisitions, with some big law firms added to large Boston law firm fold. Most recently in 2019, Duane Morris launched a Boston office with 15 lawyers from the Massachusetts boutique firms MacIntyre McCulloch LLP and Casner & Edwards LLP. The combined firm is Duane Morris’ 28th office and expands the firm’s capabilities in the New England region. Last year, intellectual property firm Morgan & Finnegan LLP announced their plan to merge with Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP which established Morgan’s Boston office in an attempt to strengthen their patent litigation practice in light of the growing biotechnology and life science clusters in the city. In 2018 Fox Rothschild LLP announced plans to open a Boston office with the acquisition of 17 lawyers from the Boston-based firm, startup law group. The merger is in line with Fox Rothschild’s strategy to expand its presence in New England, which includes offices in Hartford, Connecticut, and Providence, Rhode Island. The firm now has 14 offices with more than 200 lawyers in the region. Last year, Reed Smith LLP announced plans to enter the Boston legal market by opening an office in Boston. The new Boston office will be led by Evelyn Vázquez-Reyes, who joins the firm as partner from K&L Gates. The opening marks Reed Smith’s entry into the Boston legal market as it seeks to expand significantly in the United States. Recent years have also seen the growth of boutique law firms in Boston. Cooke Clancy & Gruenthal (CC&G) was founded to meet the demand for specialized legal services in the area of pre-incident risk management and post-incident response. Top-tier insurance companies recognize the CC&G team as Boston’s preeminent counsel in the area of environmental insurance. Of the firm’s founding partners , two were former in-house environmental claims counsel with leading insurance companies. Their specific expertise enables the firm to offer superior, hands-on guidance and assistance at all stages of environmental claims handling. CC&G’s pre-incident preventive consultation services and its insurance claim recovery services position the firm to meet each client’s specialized need. Though a relatively new arrival on the scene (founded in 2012), the firm already has a number of active clients. They include large insurance companies, law firms that require coverage or environmental law expertise, and environmental consultants and contractors who bring policy-language and claim-handling experience to CC&G and its clients. Technology has also had an impact in recent years. Global firms in particular have faced challenges to maintain their position in the highly competitive market. Firms have discovered the need to look beyond cost-savings within their own organization and to augment their service offerings with technology advancements. The benefits of technology in the area of legal services are only beginning to be recognized. As new systems and services arise, the legal services landscape continues to shift. While there appears to be a technology boom, how technology will fit into the overall framework of delivering legal services is still unclear. It looks like large law will continue to lose market share and a place at the table, to what is becoming a decentralized market of alternative legal service providers (ALSPs), non-traditional law firms and legal services technology. Boston has always been a major contributor to the legal services industry in the United States, and it looks as though that won’t be changing anytime soon. Whether the firms are large or small, new or old, they are all contributing towards the overall growth of the legal services industry. It’s likely that the city will always be home to a diverse range of law firms – whether they employ 10 or 10,000 lawyer.
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