The Philippines’ legal market is robust and sophisticated, centered in Makati City, where the country’s most powerful corporate and finance activities take place. The leading firms are homegrown institutions that have adapted to modern international standards, specializing in high-stakes Corporate/M&A, Banking & Finance, Infrastructure Projects, and Complex Litigation.
This list highlights the most influential and prestigious law firms in the Philippines, based on their long-standing market presence, size, and consistent Tier 1 recognition in international legal directories across key practice areas.
Top 10 Law Firms in the Philippines
| Rank (Approx.) | Firm Name | Standing & Structure | Key Specialties/Focus |
| 1 | SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan | The oldest and most prestigious firm | Corporate/M&A, Banking & Finance, Litigation, Shipping & Maritime. |
| 2 | Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & de los Angeles | Elite full-service firm | Capital Markets, M&A, Tax, Real Estate, known for international client base. |
| 3 | Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz (ACCRALAW) | One of the largest firms by lawyer count | Litigation/Dispute Resolution, Labor, Banking, Projects, extensive nationwide presence. |
| 4 | Picazo Buyco Tan Fider & Santos | Leading transactional firm | Banking & Finance, Capital Markets, M&A, consistently top-ranked in finance work. |
| 5 | Villaraza & Angangco (V&A Law) | Strong reputation for litigation and corporate | Litigation & Dispute Resolution, IP, Technology, M&A. |
| 6 | Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia | Highly regarded full-service firm | Energy & Infrastructure, Intellectual Property, Commercial Litigation, strong regulatory focus. |
| 7 | Puyat Jacinto & Santos (PJS Law) | Modern firm with global alliance | M&A, Energy, Infrastructure, Private Equity, affiliated with the global Dentons network. |
| 8 | Quisumbing Torres | Member firm of Baker McKenzie International | Dispute Resolution, IP, Employment, Tax, leveraging a massive global network. |
| 9 | Gatmaytan Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio (C&G Law) | Elite transactional and projects firm | Banking & Finance, Real Estate, Competition/Antitrust, Projects. |
| 10 | Castillo Laman Tan Pantaleon & San Jose | Established firm with strong corporate practice | Foreign Investment, M&A, Corporate Compliance, Real Estate. |
🇵🇭 Defining the Philippine Legal Market
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The Big Three (The “Old Guard”): SyCipLaw, Romulo, and ACCRALAW have historically dominated the market. SyCipLaw is often viewed as the country’s most prestigious firm, while ACCRALAW is noted for its immense scale and strong litigation/labor practices.
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Transactional Powerhouses: Firms like Picazo Buyco Tan Fider & Santos and Romulo Mabanta are key players in high-value Capital Markets and M&A deals, assisting both major Philippine conglomerates and international institutional investors.
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Sector Specialization: Given the country’s infrastructure push, firms like PJS Law and Cruz Marcelo & Tenefrancia have built particularly strong reputations in Energy and Projects. PJS Law’s alliance with Dentons further boosts its capacity for complex cross-border work.
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Global Affiliation: The presence of Quisumbing Torres (Baker McKenzie) and PJS Law (Dentons) demonstrates the importance of global reach for firms handling mandates involving multinational clients and international finance.
These firms form the legal backbone of the Philippine economy, facilitating the country’s growth in sectors from digital services and technology to massive infrastructure and energy projects.