Clifford Chance

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.

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

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

• Global legal advisory
• Cross-border M&A
• Capital markets law
• Litigation dispute resolution
• Project finance law

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices32 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. 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

Core 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

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered notable, minor, major and core.

• Mobiliare Real Estate SolutionsnotableStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2026Advised on US$100 million first sustainability-linked bond issuance, linking Mobiliare to specific environmental performance targets
• R.Power GroupnotableStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026CMS and Clifford Chance advised on R.Power's BESS financings - project financing of two standalone battery energy storage system projects in Poland and Romania
• GideminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026Co-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)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 June 2026Advised 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
• Core42majorTechnology or Integration · 9 June 2026Advised 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 DCnotableStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 May 2026Advised Australian data centre developer on establishment of investment platform with Alceon for acquisition and development of data centre assets across Asia-Pacific
• Levant CapitalminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 May 2026Advised on preferred equity investment backing acquisition of stake in Country Hill International by Katana LLP
• Impact Climate TechnologiesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 May 2026Advised Houston-based air conditioning company DistribAire on its sale to Impact Climate Technologies, a portfolio company of Ardian France S.A.
• Delivery HeromajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 April 2026Advised on US$600 million sale of foodpanda Taiwan to Grab Holdings Limited
• Great Portland EstatesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 March 2026New tenant for 321,650 sq ft office development in London, designed from 2019 and completed on time and budget
• Klesch GroupmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 March 2026Advised on acquisition of BP's Gelsenkirchen Refinery Business (GSK), one of Europe's largest integrated refining and petrochemical complexes
• 3i Infrastructure plcnotableStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 March 2026Advised on acquisition of majority stake in Lefdal Mine Datacenter, a Norwegian data center campus, from Columbia Threadneedle Investments fund
• 3i Infrastructure plcmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 March 2026Advised on sale of TCR to GIP (Global Infrastructure Partners)
• NovarnotableStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 March 2026Advised on €160 million HoldCo financing from Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners for renewable energy project development
• Wuxi Lead Intelligent EquipmentmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 February 2026Advised on HK$4.93 billion (approximately US$630 million) IPO and listing on Hong Kong Stock Exchange
• Edge MedicalnotableStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 January 2026Advised on IPO and listing of Shenzhen Edge Medical Co., Ltd. in Hong Kong, raising approximately HK$1.2 billion for surgical robotics company
• HARMAN InternationalmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 December 2025Advised on intended acquisition of ZF Group's ADAS business, comprising automotive compute solutions, smart cameras, radars, and software functions
• ADNOC DrillingmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 November 2025Advised 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 PartnersnotableStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 October 2025Advised on acquisition of RCD Espanyol de Barcelona from Rastar Group
• La CaissemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 October 2025Advised 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 FundminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 June 2025Advised on combination of portfolio company Libre Foods with Planetary in food tech M&A transaction
• SkyNRG and Macquarie Asset ManagementnotableStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 May 2025Advised on APG's strategic investment of up to €250 million in SkyNRG for sustainable aviation fuel production facilities
• Ares Management CorporationnotableStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 May 2025Advised on A$320 million investment in Omni Bridgeway's litigation funding portfolio, structured as first continuation fund in legal finance industry
• MicrosoftcoreTechnology or IntegrationEnterprise-wide deployment of Microsoft Copilot and Microsoft Viva, first magic circle firm to achieve this globally
• Cavenagh Law LLPminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormal Law Alliance in Singapore under name Clifford Chance Asia, allowing combined Singapore and international law services
• CE PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation 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

Direct 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

• Xx.com/cc_uk_pr
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@cliffordchanceglobal
• Facebookfacebook.com/105835349486974
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/clifford-chance-llp
• Instagraminstagram.com/cliffordchanceglobal/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments2 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Clifford Chance