Our partner, María Sol Rubio, has contributed an article to Abogados.com.ar, offering an analysis of international legal rankings -a subject that inevitably provokes divergent opinions within the profession.

 For years, international rankings have sparked a mixture of fascination, distrust, and scepticism within the legal sector. “They’re pay-to-play”, “they don’t reflect the market reality”, “they aren’t objective”, “I don’t have time for thay”. These are all phrases I have heard -and, I confess, have sometimes uttered myself- until I gained an insider’s understanding of how they actually work.

I had the privilege of working as Deputy Editor at Chambers and Partners, the world’s most influential legal directory. There, I learned something fundamental: rankings are not perfect, but they are powerful. For many law firms in Latin America (Argentina included), they remain a strategic tool that is still underutilised.

Why do rankings matter?

Because they are much more than a symbolic accolade. For a significant portion of the market -particularly international clients- rankings act as a first filter when searching for lawyers and firms. They are used as a starting point, not the sole truth, but if a firm does not appear at all, it does not even enter consideration.

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In economies like Argentina’s -complex, volatile, but with a strong presence of sophisticated firms and top-tier legal talent- positioning a firm in Chambers is not just a matter of ego. It is a business imperative.

A strong ranking in Chambers (or other relevant directories) can open doors to new clients and referrals, increase regional and international visibility, attract talent keen to join recognised firms, and consolidate reputation with the market, investors, and other stakeholders.

How do rankings actually work?

There are many myths surrounding the ranking process. The truth is, Chambers does not charge for listing a firm. The process is free and confidential. Paid products do exist, but they do not influence the evaluation.

Would you like to know more?

You can read the full article here.