{"id":940,"date":"2025-09-07T10:24:05","date_gmt":"2025-09-07T17:24:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clio.com\/ca\/?p=940"},"modified":"2026-04-17T18:56:48","modified_gmt":"2026-04-18T01:56:48","slug":"best-law-firms-in-canada","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.clio.com\/ca\/blog\/best-law-firms-in-canada\/","title":{"rendered":"List of the Best Law Firms in Canada"},"content":{"rendered":"

The best law firms in Canada by size<\/span><\/h2>\n

When evaluating the best law firms, it\u2019s worth asking: What does \u201cbest\u201d 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\u2019s size\u2014i.e., how many lawyers it employs\u2014can provide a useful benchmark.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to data published by the leading Canadian legal publication <\/span>Lexpert<\/span><\/i>, the following are some of <\/span>Canada\u2019s best law firms<\/span><\/a> by size:<\/span><\/p>\n

Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP<\/b><\/a><\/h3>\n

Total lawyers: <\/b>851<\/span><\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG)<\/b><\/a><\/h3>\n

Total lawyers: <\/b>809<\/span><\/p>\n

BLG is one of Canada\u2019s largest and most respected full-service law firms, with offices all across the country.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

McCarthy T\u00e9trault LLP<\/b><\/a><\/h3>\n

Total lawyers: <\/b>803<\/span><\/p>\n

McCarthy T\u00e9trault LLP is a premier Canadian law firm founded in 1855, known for its full-service legal offerings across business law, litigation, tax, <\/span>real estate<\/span><\/a>, and labour and employment law.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Gowling WLG<\/b><\/a><\/h3>\n

Total lawyers: <\/b>791<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP<\/b><\/a><\/h3>\n

Total lawyers: <\/b>649<\/span><\/p>\n

With a team of almost 700 lawyers, Blakes is one of Canada\u2019s largest full-service law firms.<\/span><\/p>\n

The best law firms in Canada by revenue<\/span><\/h2>\n

In the prestigious world of Big Law<\/a>, revenue is a key indicator of a firm\u2019s status, reach, and influence. Reviewing a firm\u2019s earnings offers a clear way to rank the country\u2019s top-performing law firms and see who\u2019s 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\u2019s <\/span>Global 200<\/span><\/i><\/a>\u2014their definitive ranking of the 200 largest law firms in the world\u2014and includes several notable Canadian Big Law firms.<\/span><\/p>\n

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP<\/b><\/a><\/h3>\n

Gross revenue:<\/b> $1,389,000<\/span><\/p>\n

Bennett Jones LLP<\/b><\/a><\/h3>\n

Gross revenue:<\/b> $1,250,000<\/span><\/p>\n

Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP<\/b><\/a><\/h3>\n

Gross revenue:<\/b> $1,232,000<\/span><\/p>\n

McCarthy T\u00e9trault LLP<\/b><\/a><\/h3>\n

Gross revenue:<\/b> $1,179,000<\/span><\/p>\n

Torys LLP<\/b><\/a><\/h3>\n

Gross revenue:<\/b> $1,080,000<\/span><\/p>\n\n

The best law firms in Canada by practice area<\/span><\/h2>\n

Like the country itself, Canada\u2019s legal market is diverse, and the \u201cbest\u201d 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 <\/span>study<\/span><\/a> conducted by <\/span>The Globe and Mail<\/span><\/i>, thousands of legal practitioners across Canada ranked the top firms in 31 categories.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are some examples:<\/span><\/p>\n

Addario<\/b><\/a><\/h3>\n

Practice area:<\/b> Criminal law<\/span><\/p>\n

Frank Addario\u2019s eponymous firm, specializing in criminal, regulatory, and constitutional law, frequently handles high-profile cases throughout the country.<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking to streamline your criminal law practice? Clio lets you manage cases, track time, and communicate securely\u2014all in one platform. Start your free trial today<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Gowling WLG<\/b><\/a><\/h3>\n

Practice area:<\/b> Environmental law<\/span><\/p>\n

Gowling WLG\u2019s 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Smart & Biggar<\/b><\/a><\/h3>\n

Practice area:<\/b> Intellectual property<\/span><\/p>\n

Canada\u2019s 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\u2014more than any other Canadian firm.<\/span><\/p>\n

Olthuis Kleer Townshend<\/a><\/h3>\n

Practice area:<\/b> Aboriginal & Indigenous Law<\/span><\/p>\n

OKT, one of Canada\u2019s most renowned Aboriginal law firms, has deep expertise in treaty rights, land claims, self-governance, human rights, business law, and litigation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Epstein Cole<\/a><\/h3>\n

Practice area:<\/b> Family law<\/span><\/p>\n

Epstein Cole is Canada\u2019s 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ready to elevate your family law practice? With Clio\u2019s family law software<\/a>, you can keep cases organized, collaborate effortlessly, and deliver exceptional client service. Book your free demo<\/a> today.<\/em><\/p>\n

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According to the Global 200, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP has a gross revenue of $1,389,000\u2014the highest in Canada. The firm's substantial earnings are fueled by its strong performance in corporate and commercial law, positioning it at the forefront of the legal industry.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

The best law firms in Canada by recommendation<\/span><\/h2>\n

Word of mouth holds significant sway in the legal industry. Clio\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>2022 Legal Trends Report<\/span><\/i><\/a>\u00a0found 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: <\/span>Best Law Firms\u2122 \u2013 Canada 2025<\/span><\/a>. These rankings consider many factors, but chief among them are client recommendations and peer evaluations.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are some of the standout law firms for 2025, based on <\/span>coverage<\/span><\/a> by <\/span>Canadian Lawyer Magazine<\/span><\/i>:<\/span><\/p>\n

Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Award: <\/b>Boutique Law Firm of the Year<\/span><\/p>\n

Lenczner Slaght<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Award:<\/b> Litigation & Dispute Resolution Boutique of the Year<\/span><\/p>\n

Royal Bank of Canada Law Group<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Award:<\/b> Law Department of the Year<\/span><\/p>\n

Torys LLP<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Award:<\/b> Best Use of <\/span>Technology<\/span><\/a> in a Law Firm<\/span><\/p>\n

Gowling WLG<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Award:<\/b> Pro Bono Initiative of the Year (for \u201c<\/span>Operation Abraham<\/span><\/a>\u201d)<\/span><\/p>\n

The best law firms in Canada by impact<\/span><\/h2>\n

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\u2019s <\/span>five-star pro bono law firms for 2025<\/span><\/a>, according to <\/span>Canadian Lawyer Magazine<\/span><\/i> include:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n