Clifford Chance
Clifford Chance is a UK-headquartered Magic Circle law firm operating 31 offices across 30+ countries, delivering cross-border legal advisory in corporate, finance, capital markets, litigation, and regulatory matters to enterprise clients including financial institutions, private equity sponsors, corporates, and governments.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1987
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Clifford Chance does
Clifford Chance is a multinational law firm headquartered in London, operating as a UK Limited Liability Partnership (Clifford Chance LLP) across 31 offices in more than 30 countries. Founded in 1987 through the merger of Clifford Turner and Coward Chance — a transaction described as creating the first global law firm — the firm delivers legal advisory services to enterprise clients including financial institutions, private equity sponsors, multinational corporates, energy and resources companies, infrastructure investors, governments, and technology firms. Core practice areas span corporate/M&A, capital markets, finance, litigation and dispute resolution, antitrust, funds and investment management, tax, real estate, ESG, and a dedicated Tech Group covering AI, cybersecurity, and multi-jurisdictional regulatory matters.
The firm operates on a partner-led professional services fee model with revenue reported at £2.4bn in FY2024 (9% growth year-over-year). It is supported by roughly 3,500 lawyers globally, including 736 equity partners, 452 senior lawyers and consultants, and 2,224 associates. Go-to-market is exclusively direct and enterprise-focused, delivered through 31 fully-integrated offices covering major financial centers in Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa, with targeted alliances such as the Formal Law Alliance with Cavenagh Law LLP in Singapore (operating as Clifford Chance Asia) and a cooperation agreement with CE Partners in Istanbul.
Technology is a distinct operating layer within the firm. Clifford Chance has built proprietary AI and automation tools including Clifford Chance Assist, LUCY, CC Dr@ft, Transaction Toolkit, and Litigation and Dispute Resolution Toolkit. It was the first Magic Circle firm to deploy Microsoft Copilot and Microsoft Viva globally, has logged over 400 identified AI use cases in its governance framework, and operates Global Delivery Centres supporting these capabilities. AI adoption has already translated into operating model change, including an approximately 10% reduction in London business-services roles, signaling that technology is being treated as a structural lever rather than a marketing theme.
Clifford Chance firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Clifford Chance
- Legal name
- Clifford Chance LLP
- Website
- https://cliffordchance.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1987
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- Clifford Chance is a UK-headquartered Magic Circle law firm operating 31 offices across 30+ countries, delivering cross-border legal advisory in corporate, finance, capital markets, litigation, and regulatory matters to enterprise clients including financial institutions, private equity sponsors, corporates, and governments.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Clifford Chance industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Global Legal Services
- NAICS
- Offices of Lawyers (541110)
- SIC
- Services-Legal Services (8111)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) & Securities Law (BPAHAAAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Business Valuation & Litigation Support (BPAHABAK), Fairness Opinions & Independent Board Advice (FSAEAGAF)
Keywords
Where Clifford Chance is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices32 records
Markets served
Clifford Chance business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Legal Advisory Services: Fee-based legal services for complex cross-border transactions, litigation, regulatory matters, and advisory work across corporate, finance, capital markets, and other practice areas
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Clifford Chance product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Clifford Chance is a fully-integrated global law firm that delivers partner-led legal advisory services to enterprises, financial institutions, sovereigns, and private equity sponsors on complex cross-border corporate/M&A, capital markets, finance, funds, antitrust, litigation and dispute resolution, real estate, tax, intellectual property, ESG, and technology regulatory matters. Its core revenue is generated through fee-based engagements handled by 736 partners and 3,500+ lawyers across 31 offices in 30+ countries.
Product overview
Clifford Chance is a global law firm offering legal services across multiple practice areas including corporate/M&A, capital markets, finance, litigation, and real estate. The firm has developed proprietary legal technology tools including Clifford Chance Assist and LUCY (AI-powered document processing), CC Dr@ft (document automation), Transaction Toolkit, and Litigation and Dispute Resolution Toolkit. These tools are offered alongside the firm's core legal advisory services and are accessible through the firm's Client Portal and Innovation Hub. The technology portfolio represents a three-pronged approach combining enterprise-wide Microsoft integration, proprietary tool development, and strategic vendor partnerships (including Wexler.ai and Kira Systems). The firm operates across 32 offices globally and serves clients through integrated cross-border teams.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Clifford Chance Global Tech Group: A dedicated technology-focused practice group advising on AI, cybersecurity, and multi-jurisdictional regulatory matters
- Clifford Chance Global Delivery Centres
- Clifford Chance Assist
- LUCY
Products and services
- Corporate / M&A Legal Advisory Cross-border M&A, joint ventures, private equity transactions, and corporate advisory for multinational corporations, financial institutions, and private equity sponsors.
- Capital Markets Legal Advisory Advice on IPOs, debt and equity issuances, listings, and securities regulatory matters across global markets.
- Finance / Project Finance Legal Advisory Acquisition, leveraged, structured, and project finance advice for banks, sponsors, and corporate borrowers across jurisdictions.
- Litigation & Dispute Resolution Cross-border litigation, international arbitration, regulatory investigations, and dispute resolution for multinational clients.
- Antitrust / FDI Advisory Competition law, merger control, foreign direct investment screening, and antitrust compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
- Funds & Investment Management Advice on formation, structuring, regulation, and ongoing operation of private equity, infrastructure, real estate, and other investment funds.
- Real Estate Legal Advisory Real estate transactions, investments, development, and asset management advice for investors, developers, and corporate occupiers.
- Energy Transition Advisory Legal advice on renewable energy, energy transition projects, and sustainable finance for energy and infrastructure clients.
- Intellectual Property Advisory IP protection, licensing, disputes, and portfolio management advice for technology, life sciences, and consumer goods clients.
- Tax, Pensions, Employment & Incentives Cross-border tax planning, pensions, employment law, and executive incentive advice for multinational clients and private capital.
- Sustainability & ESG Advisory Legal advice on ESG strategy, sustainability-linked finance, climate disclosure, and human rights matters for corporates and financial institutions.
- Tech Group / Data Centres Advisory Specialized legal advice on AI, cybersecurity, data centres, TMT regulation, and multi-jurisdictional tech matters.
- Clifford Chance Assist Proprietary AI-powered legal tool developed internally by Clifford Chance for legal document processing and contract review as part of the firm's three-pronged AI approach.
- LUCY Proprietary AI tool developed by Clifford Chance used for document processing and knowledge management across the firm's global operations.
- CC Dr@ft Document automation tool enabling lawyers to create standardized legal documents efficiently, part of Clifford Chance's innovation digital solutions portfolio.
- Transaction Toolkit Structured proprietary toolkit for transaction management and document automation, developed internally and led by Anthony Vigneron.
- Litigation and Dispute Resolution Toolkit Specialized proprietary toolkit for litigation document management and dispute resolution workflows, part of Clifford Chance's digital solutions portfolio.
Quantifiable outcome
- 20% time savings on due diligence transactions using Kira Systems
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Clifford Chance
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Clifford Chance technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability6 records
Feature7 records
Clifford Chance partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
26 partnerships are on record, tiered notable, minor, major and core.
- Mobiliare Real Estate SolutionsnotableAdvised on US$100 million first sustainability-linked bond issuance, linking Mobiliare to specific environmental performance targets
- R.Power GroupnotableCMS and Clifford Chance advised on R.Power's BESS financings - project financing of two standalone battery energy storage system projects in Poland and Romania
- GideminorCo-advised on Poland's CHF 885 million triple-tranche bond issue (Gide advised the State Treasury, Clifford Chance advised the banks)
- Inox Clean Energy (INOXGFL Group)majorAdvised on sale of Vena Energy India to Inox Neo, a subsidiary of Inox Clean Energy, with approximately 1GW operational and 1.7GW advanced-stage assets
- Core42majorAdvised Core42 (G42 company specializing in sovereign cloud and AI infrastructure) on arrangement of two structured trade finance facilities totaling USD 550 million with HSBC for AI cloud and compute deployments
- INSITE DCnotableAdvised Australian data centre developer on establishment of investment platform with Alceon for acquisition and development of data centre assets across Asia-Pacific
- Levant CapitalminorAdvised on preferred equity investment backing acquisition of stake in Country Hill International by Katana LLP
- Impact Climate TechnologiesminorAdvised Houston-based air conditioning company DistribAire on its sale to Impact Climate Technologies, a portfolio company of Ardian France S.A.
- Delivery HeromajorAdvised on US$600 million sale of foodpanda Taiwan to Grab Holdings Limited
- Great Portland EstatesminorNew tenant for 321,650 sq ft office development in London, designed from 2019 and completed on time and budget
- Klesch GroupmajorAdvised on acquisition of BP's Gelsenkirchen Refinery Business (GSK), one of Europe's largest integrated refining and petrochemical complexes
- 3i Infrastructure plcnotableAdvised on acquisition of majority stake in Lefdal Mine Datacenter, a Norwegian data center campus, from Columbia Threadneedle Investments fund
- 3i Infrastructure plcmajorAdvised on sale of TCR to GIP (Global Infrastructure Partners)
- NovarnotableAdvised on €160 million HoldCo financing from Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners for renewable energy project development
- Wuxi Lead Intelligent EquipmentmajorAdvised on HK$4.93 billion (approximately US$630 million) IPO and listing on Hong Kong Stock Exchange
- Edge MedicalnotableAdvised on IPO and listing of Shenzhen Edge Medical Co., Ltd. in Hong Kong, raising approximately HK$1.2 billion for surgical robotics company
- HARMAN InternationalmajorAdvised on intended acquisition of ZF Group's ADAS business, comprising automotive compute solutions, smart cameras, radars, and software functions
- ADNOC DrillingmajorAdvised on acquisition of 80% equity stake in MB Petroleum Services LLC, drilling and oilfield services provider in Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain
- Velocity Sports PartnersnotableAdvised on acquisition of RCD Espanyol de Barcelona from Rastar Group
- La CaissemajorAdvised on acquisition of Edify Energy, Australia's leading renewable energy development and storage investment company, marking La Caisse's entry into Australian renewables
- Green Generation FundminorAdvised on combination of portfolio company Libre Foods with Planetary in food tech M&A transaction
- SkyNRG and Macquarie Asset ManagementnotableAdvised on APG's strategic investment of up to €250 million in SkyNRG for sustainable aviation fuel production facilities
- Ares Management CorporationnotableAdvised on A$320 million investment in Omni Bridgeway's litigation funding portfolio, structured as first continuation fund in legal finance industry
- MicrosoftcoreEnterprise-wide deployment of Microsoft Copilot and Microsoft Viva, first magic circle firm to achieve this globally
- Cavenagh Law LLPminorFormal Law Alliance in Singapore under name Clifford Chance Asia, allowing combined Singapore and international law services
- CE PartnersminorCooperation agreement for Istanbul office operations, providing local Turkish law expertise alongside Clifford Chance's English law capability
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Clifford Chance competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Allen & Overy (A&O Shearman): Magic Circle law firm that merged with Shearman & Sterling in 2024 to form A&O Shearman. Closest head-to-head competitor with similar global footprint, Magic Circle heritage, and focus on cross-border M&A, banking, and capital markets for the same enterprise client base.
- Linklaters: One of the original Magic Circle firms headquartered in London with comparable global presence and focus on cross-border finance, M&A, and capital markets. Direct competitor for premium enterprise mandates across European and transatlantic deals.
- Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer: Fourth Magic Circle firm with comparable global footprint and focus on high-end M&A, antitrust, and corporate advisory work. Direct competitor for premium cross-border mandates, particularly in European and transatlantic transactions.
- Latham & Watkins: Global law firm with similar scale and focus on finance, M&A, and capital markets, with particularly strong US presence. Competes head-to-head with Clifford Chance on US-led cross-border deals and sponsor-led finance transactions.
- White & Case: Global law firm with strong finance and capital markets practice, particularly in emerging markets and project finance. Direct competitor for Clifford Chance's energy, infrastructure, and EM debt mandates; lost a 14-person Frankfurt team to Clifford Chance in 2026.
- Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom: Leading US-based global law firm with strong M&A and capital markets practices. Competes with Clifford Chance on US-led M&A and corporate transactions, particularly in the large-cap public deal space.
- Kirkland & Ellis: Dominant global law firm in private equity and large-cap M&A with industry-leading economics. Competes with Clifford Chance on sponsor-led transactions where Clifford Chance often represents the corporate target or financing banks.
- Slaughter and May: Premier UK-headquartered law firm with elite corporate and M&A practice. While more UK-focused than Clifford Chance, it competes directly for premium UK M&A and corporate finance mandates, particularly for FTSE 100 and large UK corporates.
- Hogan Lovells: Global law firm formed from the merger of Hogan & Hartson and Lovells with comparable scale and broad practice offering. Direct competitor across corporate, finance, regulatory, and litigation matters in major markets including the US, UK, and EMEA.
- CMS: Major European-headquartered global law firm with strong energy, infrastructure, and corporate practices. Frequently co-counsels with Clifford Chance (e.g., on R.Power BESS financings) and competes on European project finance, energy transition, and M&A mandates.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Clifford Chance social profiles
Digital presenceClifford Chance financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Clifford Chance leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles17 records
Clifford Chance funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Clifford Chance M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments2 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Clifford Chance
What does Clifford Chance do?
Clifford Chance is a fully-integrated global law firm that delivers partner-led legal advisory services to enterprises, financial institutions, sovereigns, and private equity sponsors on complex cross-border corporate/M&A, capital markets, finance, funds, antitrust, litigation and dispute resolution, real estate, tax, intellectual property, ESG, and technology regulatory matters. Its core revenue is generated through fee-based engagements handled by 736 partners and 3,500+ lawyers across 31 offices in 30+ countries.
Is Clifford Chance a public or private company?
Clifford Chance is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was Clifford Chance founded?
Clifford Chance was founded in 1987. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is Clifford Chance based?
Clifford Chance is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Clifford Chance make money?
One revenue line is on record: legal Advisory Services.
Who are Clifford Chance's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Allen & Overy (A&O Shearman), Linklaters, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Latham & Watkins, White & Case, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, Kirkland & Ellis, Slaughter and May, Hogan Lovells and CMS.
Does Clifford Chance have an API?
No public API is recorded for Clifford Chance.
What industry is Clifford Chance in?
Clifford Chance's product category is Global Legal Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAAAI, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) & Securities Law, with a secondary code of BPAHABAK, Business Valuation & Litigation Support. Its NAICS code is 541110 and its SIC code is 8111.