Best Lawyers® is honored to present the second edition of the Best Law Firms™ – Germany rankings, following the success of the inaugural edition.
In the 2026 edition, 1,243 firms earned recognition across 60 practice areas and 12 jurisdictions, representing the top 2% of firms based on peer- and client-acknowledged excellence.
Building on Best Lawyers’ 17-year presence in Germany and more than 15 years of firm awards in the United States, these recognitions offer a clear, trusted benchmark for legal performance.
In collaboration with Handelsblatt, Germany’s leading business newspaper, our firm awards reach a broad professional audience, providing clients and legal professionals with an authoritative guide to the country’s most respected law firms.
Evaluating Excellence: The Methodology Behind the Rankings
Best Lawyers introduced the Best Law Firms methodology in 2009 and has refined it over the years, making it one of the most rigorous and trusted systems for evaluating law firms worldwide.
The minimum eligibility requirement for consideration in Best Law Firms – Germany is that a firm includes at least one lawyer recognized in the current edition of The Best Lawyers in Germany™. This ensures that firm-level recognition is always grounded in individual peer-reviewed achievement.
The evaluation draws on multiple perspectives, including client feedback, peer votes, firm submissions and leadership interviews. Results are measured against competitors at both regional and national levels, providing a well-rounded view of each firm’s performance.
Industry leaders have underscored the value of this process. Hakan Ates, CEO of Lions Group Versicherungen, described the awards as a trusted resource for selecting qualified counsel, citing their transparency and ability to highlight outstanding legal work.
Similarly, Vicente of Vida Panorama GmbH / Vicente Art Projects GmbH noted that the rankings help firms strengthen their profile and services while giving clients reliable guidance.
By emphasizing independent assessment and exceptional performance, the awards provide clients with a trusted, third-party benchmark when choosing legal representation.
Full methodology details are available on the Germany methodology page.
Participation and Scope in the 2026 Best Law Firms - Germany
The data reveals how law firms across Germany perform and interact in their respective markets. The process surveyed 1,278 firms and consulted with 6,000 lawyers, generating almost 360,000 peer votes that covered 1,824 firms.
Clients contributed 10,291 references, resulting in 23,041 evaluations and 1,473 detailed comments. In addition, 60 managing partners and practice group leaders shared their perspectives in interviews.
By balancing client feedback, peer evaluation and leadership insight, these acknowledgments offer a well-rounded view of firm performance across regions and practice areas, highlighting both professional standing and the quality of service clients receive.
Regional, National and “Law Firm of the Year” Distinctions
The 2026 distinctions spotlight firms at three levels: regional, national and “Law Firm of the Year.” Each tier highlights firms that stand out for their performance and reputation within their practice areas.
The Regional Awards honor the top 2% of firms. This year, 1,243 firms received this distinction across 60 practice areas in 12 jurisdictions, including Baden-Württemberg, Bayern, Berlin, Bremen, Hamburg, Hessen and many more, resulting in 5,928 regional acknowledgments.
The National Awards feature 383 firms across 23 practice areas for their influence and presence beyond local markets, representing the top 0.6% of firms nationwide.
At the highest level, the "Law Firm of the Year" honor represents the ultimate distinction, with only 21 firms, the top 0.3%, selected as leaders in their practice areas.
Practice Area Dynamics in Germany’s Leading Law Firms
The second edition of the Best Law Firms – Germany rankings identifies five national practice areas with the highest number of firms recognized:
These results reflect both the enduring pillars of the German legal market — corporate, labor and M&A — as well as areas that are gaining greater prominence, including tax and arbitration.
Recent market activity underscores this balance of continuity and change. While Germany has long been known for its cross-border deal work, the survey data and firm activity indicate a stronger emphasis on domestic matters.
The merger of Herbert Smith Freehills and Kramer Levin into Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer exemplifies how large firms are consolidating to compete locally, signaling a recalibration toward the domestic market.
These trends are not unique to Germany. In Spain, another European market where Best Lawyers and Best Law Firms conduct extensive research, the 2026 Best Law Firms™ – Spain also highlighted Corporate Law, Labor and Employment Law and M&A among the most represented practice areas.
However, unlike Germany’s growing emphasis on tax and arbitration, Spain’s rankings showed greater relative strength in real estate, banking and dispute resolution, reflecting distinct national priorities.
Together, these comparisons illustrate how market realities shape the practice areas recognized in each jurisdiction. Germany’s focus on consolidation and domestic growth contrasts with Spain’s diversified areas of expansion, yet both underscore the central role of corporate, labor and transactional law across European markets.
Discover the 2026 Rankings of Best Law Firms – Germany
The Best Law Firms – Germany awards are recognized globally as a benchmark for legal excellence. By honoring firms for peer-reviewed expertise and client service, the rankings provide clients with a trusted resource for selecting representation while affirming the position of German firms within the international legal community.
Explore the 2026 Best Law Firms – Germany to connect with leading firms across practice areas and jurisdictions.
