Understanding Legal Rankings in 2025: Tips & Tricks from experts

Legal directories like The Legal500 and Chambers&Partners play a pivotal role in enhancing the visibility and credibility of law firms, especially in emerging markets where trust and client acquisition can be challenging. We went through legal directory updates, attended their webinars on recent changes and listened to what industry experts had to say and condensed the wisdom to what you should focus on for successful rankings submissions in 2025.

Market Perception and Credibility

Legal500 and Chambers are influential directories, each with distinct methodologies. Legal500 emphasizes client feedback, making it valuable for showcasing client satisfaction. Chambers prioritizes peer reviews, offering insights into professional reputation. In emerging markets, where legal ecosystems can vary widely, these rankings send strong signals of trust and competence.

Despite some industry debates about objectivity and lobbying influence, both rankings are widely relied upon for market intelligence and client validation. A 2023 survey noted that 90% of client referees preferred Legal500 for its real-world focus, while Chambers is viewed as more stable and prestigious, though slower to reflect change.

Crafting High-Quality Submissions

Strong submissions require strategic effort and meaningful referee feedback. Legal500 uses written questionnaires, while Chambers prefers direct interviews. Firms should:

• Emphasize local legal expertise and cultural understanding

• Choose referees who are responsive and aligned with local dynamics

• Notify referees in advance and follow up to ensure timely, detailed responses

In markets with less formal infrastructure, proactive communication with referees is essential to mitigate potential delays or non-responses. We can advise that your referees have some level of spoken English, although the rankings often use a researcher who can speak local language.

Tools and Technology for Efficiency

Managing submissions across many legal rankings can strain resources. Legal500 offers ConvertNow, a tool that helps firms repurpose their Chambers submissions into Legal500 formats, saving time and ensuring consistency.

While evaluating submissions, Directories also take into account technical advancement and adoption of digital tools that legal firms use. So feel free to emphasize on any cloud-based case management tools, online deal management portals and GenAI/LLM for knowledge management and streamlining documents.

Legal tech adoption is growing, for emerging market firms with limited resources, leveraging such tools is not optional—it's strategic.

Diversity, Innovation, and ESG

In 2025, rankings increasingly value diversity, innovation, and ESG. Firms should:

• Showcase gender balance, cultural sensitivity, and inclusion initiatives

• Highlight unique legal approaches adapted for local challenges

• Demonstrate commitment to sustainability, fair labor practices, and social impact

These topics are particularly relevant in emerging markets, where firms face distinct environmental and social issues. Strong positioning in these areas requires tailored storytelling that connects global standards to local realities.

The Role of Consultants

Engaging experienced consultants can greatly enhance submission quality, especially when internal resources are limited or rankings need improvement. Consultants:

• Manage the entire submission process

• Bring market insight and strategic storytelling

• Improve referee outreach and feedback quality

For example, Smartiee Agency helps legal firms align their submissions with best practices while adapting to local expectations.

Conclusion

To succeed in legal rankings and get best results in 2026, law firms in emerging markets must deliver thoughtful, data-backed, and locally adapted submissions. Leveraging technology, embracing ESG and diversity, and working with experienced consultants will not only boost rankings but enhance long-term market positioning and client trust. Act now, and don’t forget to check the Submission schedule for your Country and Practice.

Focus Area	Emerging Market Considerations
Market Perception	Legal500: client-centric; Chambers: peer-focused; both seen as essential
Submission Quality	Showcase legal agility, cultural nuance, and regulatory competence
Referee Feedback	Select informed, reliable referees; communicate early and follow up
Efficiency Tools	Use ConvertNow, legal tech, AI to save time and ensure consistency
Diversity	Reflect local demographics, inclusion programs, and community engagement
Innovation	Highlight localized legal solutions and first-of-their-kind projects
ESG	Emphasize sustainability, ethical practices, and social impact
Consultancy Help	Use experts for strategic alignment, submission support, and market insights