Top Legal Services Companies in Philippines

The legal services industry in the Philippines has witnessed remarkable growth over recent years. With a combination of government initiatives, economic growth, and technological advancements, the sector has become an integral part of the country's development story. This article examines the key statistics from 2022, factors contributing to its growth and success, each industry's growth in comparison to previous years, key trends such as technological disruptions, challenges faced by the industry, and the future outlook.

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CompanyHeadcountContactDescriptionDecision Maker
K&L GATES4,745 +65 6507 8100

At K&L Gates, we foster an inclusive and collaborative environment across our fully integrated global platform that enables us to diligently combine the knowledge and expertise of our lawyers and policy professionals to create teams that provide exceptional client solutions. We marry process with vision, success with dedication, method with passion, and innovation with creativity. The outcome: The K&L Gates Experience. Located across five continents, we represent a broad array of leading global corporations in every major industry, capital markets participants, and ambitious middle-market and emerging growth companies. We also serve public sector entities, educational institutions, philanthropic organizations, and individuals. Our lawyers counsel clients on their most sophisticated legal challenges in all areas of corporate and regulatory law as well as litigation.We are leaders in legal issues relating to industries critical to the economies of both the developed and developing worlds—technology, manufacturing, energy, transportation, telecommunications, financial services, and life sciences, among others.#KLGates

CLYDE & CO5,189 +65 6544 6500

Clyde & Co is a leading global law firm, specialising in the sectors that underpin global trade and commercial activity, namely: insurance, transport, infrastructure, energy, and trade and commodities. It is globally integrated, offering a comprehensive range of contentious and non-contentious legal services and commercially-minded legal advice to businesses operating across developed and developing markets. Clyde & Co is committed to operating in a responsible way. This means progressing towards a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the diversity of its communities and clients, using its legal skills to support its communities through pro bono work, volunteering and charitable partnerships, and minimising the impact it has on the environment. The firm has 480 partners, 2400 lawyers, 3200 legal professionals and 5000 staff overall in over 60 offices and associated offices worldwide.For more about the firm, its lawyers, offices and areas of expertise and for the latest industry thought leadership please visit www.clydeco.comFor recruitment information - see our dedicated recruitment website at www.careers.clydeco.comFor corporate structure and regulatory information - see www.clydeco.com/help/legal

DREW & NAPIER LLC496 +65 6535 4906

Drew & Napier Altogether World-ClassDrew & Napier has provided exceptional legal advice and representation to discerning clients since 1889. We are one of the largest law firms in Singapore.The calibre of our work is acknowledged internationally at the highest levels of government and industry, and marks us as Singapore’s world class law firm.We are trusted by our clients to solve their most challenging problems, advance their interests, and show them the way forward. Our lawyers and senior counsel are the preferred choice when the stakes are high and the issues complex.Our clients consistently vote our lawyers to the highest ranks of their practice areas.We stay at the forefront of the industry by cultivating talent and maintaining the family atmosphere that is distinctly Drew.Drew Network Asia The Cross-Border FirmIn 2020, Drew & Napier united with some of the most influential leading law firms in Southeast Asia to form a network of blue-chip law firms - Drew Network Asia (DNA).Comprising of legal powerhouses Shearn Delamore & Co. from Malaysia, Makarim & Taira S. from Indonesia, and Martinez Vergara & Gonzalez Sociedad (MVGS) from the Philippines, alongside Drew & Napier, DNA is a cohesive and integrated team operating as “a firm of firms” with international perspective and strong local expertise. Each DNA firm upholds a stellar reputation of providing clients with world-class service standards and seamless legal advice. We take immense pride in dispensing top-notch legal advice and cutting-edge solutions for our clients. Our approach has earned plaudits from clients and trade publications alike. Each pillar firm consistently garners prominent accolades and top rankings in the world’s most prestigious legal publications.

DIVINALAW93 +63 2 8822 0808

For 15 years, DivinaLaw has championed dynamic lawyering—becoming an institution venerated and recognized by its peers, respected and admired by its competition, and cherished and relied upon by its clients. It is a full-service law firm in the Philippines that provides prompt, proactive, and results-oriented service to ensure client satisfaction. The Firm offers depth and range in experience and resources while fostering a professional and collaborative work ethic. The Asia Business Law Journal has recognized DivinaLaw as an award-winning firm in the categories of Banking and Finance, Corporate and Commercial, Litigation, Private Equity and Venture Capital, and Restructuring and Insolvency in 2020. The Firm has also been conferred the Labor and Employment Law Firm of the Year in 2016 and Immigration Law Firm of the Year in 2018 in the Asian Legal Business Philippine Law Awards. The Firm is ranked among the best in the region, having been honored as finalist for the SE Asia Law Firm of the Year category of Asian Legal Business Southeast Asia Law Awards in 2018 and 2019. The Firm was also a finalist for Regional Litigation Law Firm of the Year in 2018 and 2019, and Tax and Trusts Law Firm of the Year in 2019. DivinaLaw is the sole Philippine member of Lawyers Associated Worldwide (LAW), a top-rated international association of over 100 independent law firms from more than 50 countries. It is also the sole Philippine member of Legalink, a leading international association of independent law firms.To further strengthen the Firm’s corporate, commercial, and arbitration-related services, the Firm has maintained a strong partnership with 10 local law firms in key locations throughout the Philippines.

GADENS830 +61 8 8456 2433

Gadens is a top 10 independent Australian law firm, known for providing outstanding client service, innovative solutions and value. The team at Gadens support our clients achieve their organisational objectives by working closely with them on their highly complex and day-to-day transactional legal needs. Our core practice specialisations cover: Banking and Finance CorporateDisputes and InvestigationsEmployment Advisory Intellectual Property and Technology Real Estate and ConstructionWe work with clients with Australian and international needs from our offices in:Adelaide Brisbane Melbourne Sydney

GATEWAY LAW CORPORATION38 +65 6221 6360

Gateway Law is a specialist regional legal practice focusing on intellectual property and corporate and commercial law matters. Our core practice areas also extend to information technology, communications, life sciences, media and entertainment law. Please note that posts herein do not constitute legal advice, and are provided for information only and should not be relied upon. You should seek your own legal advice in relation to any legal questions or problems you may face.

KELVIN CHIA YANGON LTD37 +65 6220 1911

Kelvin Chia Yangon Ltd (KCY) is an international commercial law firm that has been in active operation in Myanmar since 1995 and has close to 50 experienced lawyers, paralegals and business researchers based in Yangon and Mandalay. KCY is a subsidiary of Kelvin Chia Partnership (KCP) in Singapore and is a member of the KCP network of offices across the Asian region, including offices in Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia and Vietnam.KCY is the firm of choice for those seeking to navigate the fast-changing legal and regulatory landscape in Myanmar, where we have gained significant legal, regulatory and practical experience and expertise across all areas of commercial practice. We have advised and acted on behalf of marquee international clients and significant Myanmar businesses for their legal and regulatory requirements.We are client-focused, solution-driven and we are committed to adding value to our clients’ businesses by helping them achieve their commercial goals.

LOFT67 +63 2 8284 8789

Loft started out as a flexible space provider back in 2017. Since then, we have evolved into a company that provides corporate and B2B services to other companies — through our corporate consulting, business registration, virtual office, corporate compliance, accounting and HR solutions.Our team of qualified professionals and our experience in growing startups allow us to provide lasting value to our clients. Our headquarters is located in Ortigas, Metro Manila. Visit loft.ph to learn more about us.

MAYER BROWN ASIA0 +65 6225 3166

Mayer Brown is uniquely positioned to advise the world’s leading companies and financial institutions on their most complex deals and disputes. With extensive reach across four continents, we are the only integrated law firm in the world with approximately 200 lawyers in each of the world’s three largest financial centers—New York, London and Hong Kong—the backbone of the global economy. We have deep experience in high-stakes litigation and complex transactions across industry sectors, including our signature strength, the global financial services industry. Our diverse teams of lawyers are recognized by our clients as strategic partners with deep commercial instincts and a commitment to creatively anticipating their needs and delivering excellence in everything we do. Our “one-firm” culture—seamless and integrated across all practices and regions—ensures that our clients receive the best of our knowledge and experience.

MIRANDAH ASIA (INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SERVICES)74 +65 6336 9696

mirandah asia, formerly known as patrick mirandah co. (pmc) was set up in 1986 as a boutique Intellectual Property firm. Since then, we have extended our network of offices in Asia covering Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia and Thailand together with affiliate offices in India, Vietnam and Philippines. We give you a one-stop shop for all your Intellectual Property needs in Southeast Asia and the Indian sub-continent.

PJS LAW OFFICIAL34 +63 2 8840 5025

PJS Law is a full-service law firm that offers a comprehensive range of legal services in both established and emergent fields of practice.As a trusted strategic partner of industry stakeholders, we take pride in delivering sustainable solutions, first-rate performance, and exceptional client care through our expertise in combining traditional approaches with innovative strategies that address the current realities and concerns of the market.

RPC- LAW FIRM1,178 +65 6422 3000

RPC is a law firm with a single goal: to help you achieve your ambition.We’ll work to understand you, your business and your goals as well as we understand your market sector. That way, the advice you get from RPC will always be robust, yet specific to you.We also specialise in building trust and providing a great client service. Which is why we’ve been accredited as Best Legal Adviser every year for the last nine years.Large multinationals, growing corporates, financial institutions and other professional practices rely on RPC to help them reach their goals. Many of them are household names. All of them choose us for the outcomes we’re known for - in both contentious and non-contentious matters.And not just in the UK. From our London headquarters and our offices in Bristol, Hong Kong and Singapore, we support clients across the globe. As a founding member of the TerraLex global network, we’re connected to more than 600 offices with 19,000 lawyers in over 100 countries.And as a founding member of Global Access Lawyers, we’re also part of a group of 400 insurance law specialists in 43 offices worldwide.A commercial, innovative outlook and unstuffy, straightforward advice. That’s RPC. Let’s work together to achieve your ambition.

ASSOCIATION OF CORPORATE COUNSEL291 +65 6339 5411

The Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) is the world’s largest community of in-house counsel, serving the professional and business interests of lawyers who practice in the legal departments of corporations, associations, and other organizations around the globe.Interested in working at ACC? Visit http://bit.ly/CareersAtACC for a list of our current openings.LinkedIn Group: www.linkedin.com/groups/1458Twitter: @ACCinhouse @ACCDocketFacebook: www.facebook.com/AssnCorpCnslYouTube: www.youtube.com/ACCinhouse

THE COLLEGE OF LAW AUSTRALIA476 +61 2 9965 7000

The College of Law has been at the forefront of practical legal education since 1974, and over 100,000 of our graduates now work across all facets of our industry.Across Australia, New Zealand and Asia, we have 400+ educators and support staff, with the majority comprising practising lawyers and legal professional from all levels. This ensures our programs are always relevant to real-world practice.We have a full suite of offerings to further your career at every stage, from completing your studies through to running your own law firm. These are:• Admission to Practice: Activate your career with a range of flexible Practical Legal Training programs• Professional Development: Enhance your career with more relevant practical based Continuing Professional Development programs• Postgraduate Specialisation: Master your career by specialising in your chosen area, or change your area of specialisation with a postgraduate Applied Law program• Legal Business Management: Broaden your career opportunities and learn the business of running a law firm with our Legal Practice Management Course.We also continue to sharpen our competitive edge with our Centre for Legal Innovation, built to cope with change and make the most of an evolving industry. This edge in practical law is enhanced by the experience of our Advisory and state Chapter Boards, Board of Governors, Fellows and extensive alumni.Innovative and forward-looking, The College of Law has proven to be one of the most trusted names in legal training. We are one of the few non-universities to achieve status as a Self-Accrediting Authority from the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency in Australia.

SINGAPORE ACADEMY OF LAW128 +65 6333 1227

We’re technologists, product managers, event strategists, marketing specialists, business partners —and much more. What unites us is a mission to enable future-ready, trusted legal professionals and a vision of making Singapore the legal hub of Asia.

BAKER MCKENZIE11,767 +65 8134 6140

Integrated legal solutions to complex business challenges.The global business community is more interconnected than ever before. Opportunities and risks spill across different markets, sectors and areas of law. A connected perspective is essential in delivering business objectives while mitigating risk. Our integrated client solutions provide seamless advice underpinned by deep practice, sector expertise, and first-rate local market knowledge. Armed with Baker McKenzies insight and foresight, business leaders can feel confident driving sustainable – and inclusive growth.Learn more: https://www.bakermckenzie.com/en/expertise/solutions-connected-worldContent may include attorney advertising.

ALLEN & OVERY7,720 +65 6671 6000

Allen & Overy is a global law firm that helps the world’s leading businesses to grow, innovate and thrive. For almost a century, we have built a reputation for our commitment to think ahead and bring original solutions to our clients’ most complex legal and commercial challenges. At a time of significant turbulence in the business world, we are determined to help our clients embrace change, confidently expand into new markets and keep on top of ever-more complicated regulatory frameworks.To do this, we will harness our global strength and local knowledge. We will drive towards our vision to become the worlds most innovative law firm. And we will continue to create an environment where the brightest minds can flourish.Content on this page is general information only and not advice allenovery.com/terms

CLIFFORD CHANCE7,789 +65 6410 2271

We are one of the worlds largest law firms with significant depth and range of resources across five continents. As a single, fully integrated, global partnership, we pride ourselves on our approachable, collegiate and team based way of working.We always strive to exceed the expectations of our clients, which include corporates from all the commercial and industrial sectors, governments, regulators, trade bodies and not for profit organisations. We provide them with the highest quality advice and legal insight, which combines the Firms global standards with in-depth local expertise.Many of the worlds leading organisations look to Clifford Chance not just for legal expertise but for advice on business critical issues.

BIRD & BIRD3,134 +65 6534 5266

Bird & Bird is an international law firm with a focus on helping organisations being changed by technology and the digital world. With over 1400 lawyers in 31 offices across Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific, were ready to help you wherever you are in the world.If youd like to know more about the type of work we do for our clients, please take a look at the relevant sector or practice page for industry news, know-how, and relevant contacts: https://www.twobirds.com/en/insightsIf youd like know more about how we work with our clients, please take a look over at our Client Solutions page.Find out more about us at: https://www.twobirds.com/en/about/about-us-video

HOGAN LOVELLS7,056 +65 6538 0900

Straight talking. Thinking around corners. Understanding and solving the problem before it becomes a problem. Performing as a team, no matter where we’re sitting. Delivering clear and practical advice that gets your job done. Our 2,600+ lawyers work together with you to solve the toughest legal issues in major industries and commercial centers around the world. Whether you’re expanding into new markets, considering capital from new sources, or dealing with increasingly complex regulation or disputes, we help you stay on top of your risks and opportunities.A fast-changing and inter-connected world requires fresh thinking combined with proven experience. Thats what we provide. Progress starts with ideas. And while imagination helps at every level, our legal solutions are aligned with your business strategy. Our experience in cross-border and emerging economies gives us the market perspective to be your global partner. We believe that when knowledge travels, opportunities arise.Our team has a wide range of backgrounds. Diversity of backgrounds and experience delivers a broader perspective. Perspectives which ultimately make for more rounded thinking and better answers for you. Giving back to communities and society is fundamental to good business. And, it’s part of our core. We are advocates of justice, equality, and opportunity.Columbia Square555 Thirteenth Street, NWWashington, DC 20004United StatesAtlantic House Holborn Viaduct London, EC1A 2FG United Kingdom

Top Legal Services Companies in Philippines

Key Statistics from 2022

The Philippines' GDP in 2022 reached $434 billion, a significant increase from the previous year, with an annual growth rate of 6.5%. The legal services industry contributed 1.2% to the GDP, a figure that has been steadily rising over the years. This industry employed over 100,000 professionals, including lawyers, paralegals, legal assistants, and support staff.

Factors Contributing to Growth and Success

Government Initiatives

The Philippine government has played a pivotal role in supporting the growth of the legal services industry. Key initiatives include:

The establishment of the Philippine International Center for Conflict Resolution (PICCR), which serves as a hub for alternative dispute resolution services and attracts international clients.

Incentives for law firms to set up shop in special economic zones, leading to a rise in the number of foreign and local law firms operating in the country.

Investment in legal education and training to ensure a steady supply of skilled professionals to meet the industry's growing demand.

Economic Growth

The robust economic growth in the Philippines has fueled the need for legal services. With more businesses being established, the demand for corporate law services has increased significantly. Additionally, the growth in sectors such as real estate, finance, and intellectual property has also contributed to the industry's expansion.

Industry Growth Comparison

The legal services industry in the Philippines experienced an 8% growth rate in 2022 compared to 2021. This increase is attributed to the rising demand for legal services in various sectors, including corporate, real estate, and intellectual property law.

The legal services industry in the Philippines has outperformed other industries in the country. In comparison to the overall economic growth of 6.5% in 2022, the legal services sector expanded by 8%. This growth rate surpasses other industries, such as the manufacturing sector, which grew by 5.6%, and the services sector, which saw a 7.2% increase.

Key Trends

Technological Disruptions

Technological advancements have had a profound impact on the legal services industry in the Philippines. Key trends include:

  • The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) for legal research, contract analysis, and document review, leading to increased efficiency and cost savings.
  • The implementation of blockchain technology for secure storage of legal documents and smart contracts, streamlining legal processes and reducing the need for intermediaries.
  • The rise of virtual law firms and online platforms that provide remote access to legal services, enabling clients to connect with legal professionals more conveniently and cost-effectively.

Challenges

Despite its growth and success, the legal services industry in the Philippines faces several challenges:

  • The need for continuous upskilling of legal professionals to keep pace with technological advancements and evolving client demands.
  • The growing competition from alternative legal service providers offering affordable, technology-driven solutions.
  • Ensuring that the legal education system remains aligned with the changing needs of the industry and produces skilled professionals equipped to tackle emerging legal issues.

Future Outlook

The legal services industry in the Philippines is poised for continued growth in the coming years. Factors contributing to this positive outlook include:

  • The country's sustained economic growth, which will continue to fuel demand for legal services across various sectors.
  • The increasing globalization of legal services, with Philippine law firms extending their reach and collaborating with international counterparts to cater to clients with cross-border interests.
  • The continued integration of technology in legal practice, driving efficiency and enabling law firms to offer more value-added services to clients.

However, to ensure the industry's long-term success and resilience, it is crucial to address the challenges identified in this article. Key strategies include:

  • Investing in the continuous professional development of legal practitioners to equip them with the skills needed to navigate the rapidly changing legal landscape.
  • Encouraging innovation and collaboration among legal service providers to develop new business models and technology-driven solutions that cater to the evolving needs of clients.
  • Strengthening the legal education system to ensure that it produces professionals who are well-versed in emerging legal issues and capable of adapting to the changing dynamics of the industry.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the legal services industry in the Philippines has emerged as a significant contributor to the country's economy, with impressive growth rates and a promising future outlook. By addressing the challenges faced by the industry and capitalizing on the trends shaping the sector, the Philippines can continue to solidify its position as a regional hub for legal services and a key player in the global legal landscape.

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By Melissa Goh
Published on 28 May 2023