Australia’s commercial legal market is one of the most sophisticated in the Asia-Pacific region, dominated by a core group of historically powerful firms often referred to as the “Big Six” (or sometimes “Big Eight”). Based primarily in Sydney and Melbourne, these firms are central to major transactions in Mining & Energy, M&A, and Capital Markets.
The current landscape is defined by the strength of the independent Australian firms, many of which have formed integrated associations with global entities to extend their international reach.
Top 10 Commercial Law Firms in Australia
This list combines the historically dominant domestic firms with the most influential specialist and international firms that compete fiercely for the highest-value commercial work.
| Rank (Approx.) | Firm Name | Category/Standing | Key Specialties/Focus | International Strategy |
| 1 | Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) | Global/Australian Powerhouse | Market Leader in Dispute Resolution, M&A, and Project Finance. | Global network (co-headquartered in London/Sydney). |
| 2 | King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) | Global Chinese/Australian | Leading in M&A, Capital Markets, and Cross-Border China/Asia investment. | Asia-headquartered global network. |
| 3 | Allens | Elite Independent | Pre-eminent in Capital Markets, Corporate, and Infrastructure. | Integrated alliance with UK Magic Circle firm Linklaters. |
| 4 | Clayton Utz | Elite Independent | Highly respected for Litigation, Competition Law, and Major Projects. | Strong independent, full-service national focus. |
| 5 | Gilbert + Tobin (G+T) | Elite Specialist | Top-tier M&A (especially Private Equity/VC), and Technology/TMT. | Known for being highly commercial and innovative. |
| 6 | MinterEllison | Largest Full-Service | Largest firm by headcount. Strong in Restructuring & Insolvency, Government, and Corporate. | Extensive national and regional (Asia-Pacific) network. |
| 7 | Ashurst | Global International | Strong in Banking & Finance, Energy & Resources, and Infrastructure M&A. | Part of the large global Ashurst LLP network. |
| 8 | Corrs Chambers Westgarth | Leading Independent | Highly effective in Commercial Litigation, M&A, and advising foreign investors. | Strong independent national competitor. |
| 9 | Arnold Bloch Leibler (ABL) | Elite Boutique | Specialist focus on high-end Private Client Services, Corporate, and complex restructuring/insolvency. | Highly regarded independent boutique. |
| 10 | Johnson Winter Slattery (JWS) | Specialist/Boutique | Noted for expertise in Commercial Litigation, M&A, and contested takeovers. | Strong reputation for high-stakes disputes. |
🦘 Core Drivers of the Australian Legal Market
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The Big Six Evolution: The group traditionally known as the “Big Six” (Allens, Ashurst, Clayton Utz, Herbert Smith Freehills, King & Wood Mallesons, and MinterEllison) remains the core of the market. However, their global positioning varies: some (HSF, KWM, Ashurst) are integrated into global structures, while others (Clayton Utz, Corrs) maintain strong independent national identities.
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M&A and Private Equity: Australia sees huge volumes of public and private M&A. Firms like G+T have carved out a specialist niche as the go-to firm for complex Private Equity and Venture Capital (VC) deals, often challenging the traditional dominance of the Big Six.
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Resources and Energy: Advice on Mining, Gas, and Renewable Energy projects remains a massive sector, driving legal demand in finance, regulatory compliance, and construction law, particularly out of Perth and Brisbane offices.
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Litigation Excellence: The market requires robust dispute resolution specialists. Herbert Smith Freehills and Clayton Utz are particularly known for leading high-stakes commercial litigation and international arbitration matters.