Clifford Chance
| Company type | Limited liability partnership |
|---|---|
| Industry | Legal services |
| Predecessor | Coward Chance, Clifford-Turner |
| Founded | January 1, 1987 in London, United Kingdom |
| Headquarters | London , United Kingdom |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Legal services |
| Website | cliffordchance |
Clifford Chance LLP is a London-based British multinational law firm and a distinguished member of the "Magic Circle", which comprises premier multinational law firms headquartered in London.
During the 2022–23 period, Clifford Chance ranked as the third largest law firm based in the UK by revenue, generating . In 2015, it was positioned among the world's top ten law firms by revenue, with profits per equity partner surpassing £2 million; by 2023, it held the 13th spot on the global scale.
Based on data from Acuris, Clifford Chance led European M&A transactions as of 2020, becoming the favored adviser to leading private equity clients across Europe. That same year, it earned the title of International Law Firm of the Year at the International Financial Law Review (IFLR) Europe Awards, affiliated with the Euromoney group.
History
Clifford Chance emerged in 1987 through the merger of two London-based firms: Coward Chance and Clifford-Turner.
Coward Chance’s origins date back to 1802, representing notable clients such as Cecil Rhodes, advising on his diamond enterprises in South Africa and the establishment of Rhodes Scholarships. The firm also supported Midland Bank in reclaiming assets following the Russian Revolution and provided counsel to Hyderabad’s government prior to India’s independence.
Founded in 1900, Clifford-Turner served prominent clients including Dunlop Rubber and Imperial Airways. It played advisory roles in forming the John Lewis Partnership and in post-World War II nationalisations enacted by the Labour government. Before merging, Clifford-Turner expanded its presence throughout Europe and New York.
Neither predecessor was considered top-tier individually; however, their union transformed London's legal market on a global level. Over the ensuing decade, Clifford Chance grew significantly across Europe and Asia, more than doubling its size. Notably, in 1992 it became the first major non-American firm authorized to practise US law.
Global expansion
In 1999, Clifford Chance combined with Frankfurt-based Pünder, Volhard, Weber & Axster and US-based Rogers & Wells (both brand names discontinued by 2003). In 2002, it entered California by acquiring nearly fifty lawyers from Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison amid its dissolution but withdrew from the West Coast market in 2007 due to economic downturns.
With Japan easing restrictions on foreign law firms in 2005, Clifford Chance developed local practices there and was ranked highest among European firms by Japanese corporate legal departments in 2013.
Similar to other Magic Circle firms, Clifford Chance experienced a 33.4% decline in profits during the late-2000s recession. Prior to 2008, its main focus was on banking and financial services. To address economic challenges, it reduced its London workforce by cutting 80 lawyers and 115 support staff in 2009; an additional 50 fee earners accepted voluntary redundancy. By 2011, back-office operations were relocated to a Global Shared Service Centre in New Delhi to enhance efficiency. In 2025, it was recognized as a leading foreign law firm for India-related legal matters.
In May 2011, Clifford Chance expanded into Australia through mergers with Sydney-based Chang, Pistilli & Simmons and Perth-based Cochrane Lishman Carson Luscombe. February 2012 marked its first office opening in Africa with a Casablanca location. By July that year, it became the first UK firm authorized to establish an office in South Korea.
In 2011, Clifford Chance was the largest legal service provider to the City of London Corporation, earning fees exceeding £9 million that year. Following Carillion’s collapse in early 2018, approximately sixty legal professionals from Carillion's Newcastle division joined Clifford Chance. In May 2018, the firm launched an Asia-Pacific delivery and innovation centre based in Singapore.
Controversies
In 2002, a confidential memorandum from the New York branch highlighted concerns that the work environment might have encouraged employees to inflate their billed hours, with an expectation to log 2,420 hours annually.
During 2020, authorities conducted a search of Clifford Chance’s Frankfurt office as part of an inquiry into the tax activities of ABN AMRO Bank N.V.
At the beginning of 2024, the firm's office in Poland came under examination due to its participation in public media reforms introduced by the new Polish government following the elections held in October 2023.
See also
Further reading
- Scott, John (1980). Clifford-Turner. Legibus.
- Slinn, Judy (1993). Clifford Chance: Its Origins and Development. Granta Editions.
- Bose, Mihir, 'Clifford Chance: A Very Peculiar Practice?', Director, March 1990, pp. 65–66, 68, 70.
- 'Playing for Stakes: The Game of Clifford Chance', Legal Business, June 1993, pp. 28–31.
- 'London Braces for the Big Six Invasion', American Lawyer, December 1996, pp. 5–6.
- Rose, Craig, 'Clifford Chance: The Merger That Worked', Commercial Lawyer, Issue 15, 1997, pp. 32–34.
- Morris, John E., 'The New World Order', American Lawyer, August 1999, pp. 92–99.
- 'Merger in the First Degree: British Law Firms Are Forging New Relationships That Could Transform the Style of Global Legal Practice', Time International, 9 August 1999, p. 41.
- Steinberger, Mike, 'Is Clifford Chance/Rogers & Wells the Next Wave, or Simply Overkill?', Investment Dealers' Digest, 9 August 1999, pp. 12–13.