List of the Best Law Firms in Canada

The best law firms in Canada by size

When evaluating the best law firms, it’s worth asking: What does “best” really mean? The answer can be highly subjective. There are many factors to consider, which we explore in more detail below. That said, a firm’s size—i.e., how many lawyers it employs—can provide a useful benchmark.

According to data published by the leading Canadian legal publication Lexpert, the following are some of Canada’s best law firms by size:

Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP

Total lawyers: 851

Fasken is a prominent Canadian business law firm with a strong international presence, employing nearly 900 lawyers across multiple offices in Canada and around the world. 

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG)

Total lawyers: 809

BLG is one of Canada’s largest and most respected full-service law firms, with offices all across the country. 

McCarthy Tétrault LLP

Total lawyers: 803

McCarthy Tétrault LLP is a premier Canadian law firm founded in 1855, known for its full-service legal offerings across business law, litigation, tax, real estate, and labour and employment law. 

Gowling WLG

Total lawyers: 791

Gowling WLG is an international law firm with a strong presence in Canada, offering comprehensive legal services across various sectors. The firm operates with over 1,500 legal professionals globally, including more than 700 in Canada.

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Total lawyers: 649

With a team of almost 700 lawyers, Blakes is one of Canada’s largest full-service law firms.

The best law firms in Canada by revenue

In the prestigious world of Big Law, revenue is a key indicator of a firm’s status, reach, and influence. Reviewing a firm’s earnings offers a clear way to rank the country’s top-performing law firms and see who’s leading the way financially. Because most firms are privately held, reliable revenue data can be difficult to obtain. That said, the following information comes from Law.com’s Global 200—their definitive ranking of the 200 largest law firms in the world—and includes several notable Canadian Big Law firms.

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Gross revenue: $1,389,000

Bennett Jones LLP

Gross revenue: $1,250,000

Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP

Gross revenue: $1,232,000

McCarthy Tétrault LLP

Gross revenue: $1,179,000

Torys LLP

Gross revenue: $1,080,000

The best law firms in Canada by practice area

Like the country itself, Canada’s legal market is diverse, and the “best” law firm often depends on the specific area of law you need. Some firms are known for corporate transactions, while others excel in litigation, intellectual property, or employment law. Highlighting the top firms by practice area is particularly useful because it helps clients and businesses identify the most trusted experts for their specific legal needs. In a study conducted by The Globe and Mail, thousands of legal practitioners across Canada ranked the top firms in 31 categories.

Here are some examples:

Addario

Practice area: Criminal law

Frank Addario’s eponymous firm, specializing in criminal, regulatory, and constitutional law, frequently handles high-profile cases throughout the country.

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Gowling WLG

Practice area: Environmental law

Gowling WLG’s Canadian environmental law and climate change group, comprising over 30 lawyers, is widely recognized for its landmark work on climate issues, environmental litigation, regulatory compliance, risk assessments, and representation of Indigenous organizations.

Smart & Biggar

Practice area: Intellectual property

Canada’s largest intellectual property firm is on an upward trajectory, having grown bigger over the past few years through various mergers. Impressively, the firm files 10,000-plus applications each year—more than any other Canadian firm.

Olthuis Kleer Townshend

Practice area: Aboriginal & Indigenous Law

OKT, one of Canada’s most renowned Aboriginal law firms, has deep expertise in treaty rights, land claims, self-governance, human rights, business law, and litigation.

Epstein Cole

Practice area: Family law

Epstein Cole is Canada’s largest family law firm, known for handling complex trust, property, support, and international child mobility cases. Its lawyers have argued matters all the way up to the Supreme Court of Canada.

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The best law firms in Canada by recommendation

Word of mouth holds significant sway in the legal industry. Clio’s 2022 Legal Trends Report found that client reviews are the single most influential factor in hiring decisions. To that end, Best Lawyers just came out with the inaugural Canadian edition of its internationally respected rankings program: Best Law Firms™ – Canada 2025. These rankings consider many factors, but chief among them are client recommendations and peer evaluations.

Here are some of the standout law firms for 2025, based on coverage by Canadian Lawyer Magazine:

Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP

Award: Boutique Law Firm of the Year

Lenczner Slaght

Award: Litigation & Dispute Resolution Boutique of the Year

Royal Bank of Canada Law Group

Award: Law Department of the Year

Torys LLP

Award: Best Use of Technology in a Law Firm

Gowling WLG

Award: Pro Bono Initiative of the Year (for “Operation Abraham”)

The best law firms in Canada by impact

In addition to financial success and legal expertise, many Canadian law firms are making a meaningful impact through pro bono work and community service, from advocating for social justice to advising charities. Canada’s five-star pro bono law firms for 2025, according to Canadian Lawyer Magazine include: 

• Black & Associates
• Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP 
• Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
• Lenczner Slaght LLP
• McMillan LLP
• Norton Rose Fulbright LLP
• Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
• Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP
• Pink Larkin
• PooranLaw Professional Corporation

These firms have been recognized for their vital contributions all across the country.

At Clio, we’re continually amazed by how law firms can positively impact their communities. The annual Reisman Awards celebrate firms making a difference through innovation, client service, and social impact. While based in the United States, these seven firms serve as an inspiration to lawyers around the globe:

• Rasa Legal – Legal Innovation
• The Dross Law Firm, PLLC – Best New Law Firm
• Amara Legal Center – Community Champion
• Tenet Law – Excellence in Client Service
• The Childress Firm PLLC – Diversity and Inclusion
• King Law Offices – Best Growth Story
• PATH Legal – Legal Impact Award

Factors to consider when evaluating law firms 

Figuring out what makes a law firm “the best” isn’t straightforward; it depends on what you value. If you’re focused on advancing your career, you might be impressed by Big Law firms, with their extensive resources and wide range of opportunities. But if making a difference in your community matters more to you, a smaller firm might be a better fit. That said, when evaluating Canada’s best law firms, people usually point to three key factors: reputation, revenue, and resources. 

Reputation

A law firm’s reputation is one of the strongest indicators of the quality of its services. Pay close attention to firms with a proven track record of success, positive client reviews, and recognition within the legal community. Rankings and awards, including Clio’s Reisman Awards, can further validate a firm’s excellence.

Once you’ve identified these exceptional firms, the next step is figuring out what really sets them apart. How do they go above and beyond to keep clients satisfied? How do they support their teams to consistently deliver results? What kinds of technology do they invest in? Asking questions like these can reveal why some firms are more reputable than others.

Revenue

Revenue is another key factor in assessing a law firm. It’s more than just a number—it’s a reflection of a firm’s overall financial health, its ability to attract talent, and the loyalty of its client base. Not every firm can be like Blakes. But no matter the size of your practice, building a sustainable revenue stream is essential to long-term success.

One of the most effective ways to enhance profitability is by leveraging legal technology. By automating the most repetitive, time-consuming tasks, you free up more time for strategic, billable, lucrative work. This ultimately strengthens both your bottom line and your client relationships. Tools like Clio make this possible, giving firms the competitive edge they need to grow with confidence.

Resources

A final factor to consider when assessing law firms is the services and resources available to both clients and employees. Larger firms typically offer a broader range of specialized services and have more resources to handle complex cases. 

At the same time, smaller firms are known to be agile, forward-thinking, and willing to adopt new technologies. For example, the 2024 Legal Trends Report found that solo lawyers are more likely to be using artificial intelligence in their practices.

When it comes to evaluating the best law firms in Canada, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Reputation, revenue, and resources are useful metrics, but the “best” firm ultimately depends on your individual goals and values. 

The benefits of assessing the best law firms

So far, we’ve looked at some of the best law firms in Canada and considered three key factors for evaluating them. But another question worth asking is: Why does it even matter who the best firms in Canada are? Understanding the industry leaders can offer valuable insights—whether you’re a lawyer planning your career, a client choosing representation, or a firm looking to grow. This knowledge can benefit you in the following ways:

• Enhances legal talent: Top Canadian law firms attract the best lawyers in the country, those with the skills and expertise needed to excel in the field. By learning what sets these firms apart, other firms can better assess and strengthen their own talent pools.
• Guides careers: Learning about leading firms helps aspiring legal professionals make more informed career decisions. These firms often provide excellent opportunities for professional growth, mentorship, and exposure to interesting workplace cultures.
• Offers a model for growth: The best law firms act as blueprints for success, providing valuable lessons on effective firm management, operational efficiency, and delivering a client-centred experience. Many take advantage of Clio’s technology to achieve these ends. Examining their strategies can help other firms seeking to scale and improve their own performance.
• Inspires innovation: Canada’s most respected law firms frequently handle landmark cases and adopt forward-thinking legal approaches. Observing their practices can spark ideas and provide practical insights for achieving positive outcomes in your own practice.

Final thoughts on the best law firms in Canada

With thousands of law firms operating across the country, Canada’s legal industry is both vast and diverse. As we’ve seen, what makes a firm “the best” isn’t just its size or revenue, but also its reputation, resources, and the impact it has on clients, communities, and the profession at large.

Studying the country’s leading firms allows you to gain valuable perspective. Whether you’re charting your career path, choosing representation, or growing your own practice, understanding what sets these firms apart can help inform your decisions and position you for success.

Ultimately, the best law firm for you depends on your goals, values, and priorities. But looking to the country’s top performers provides a clear benchmark for excellence—and a reminder of what’s possible in the practice of law.