Macfarlanes
About
Macfarlanes
Macfarlanes is a City law firm with a prestigious reputation and a history dating back to 1875.
The firm is a member of the Silver Circle, the group of elite law firms sitting just behind the Magic Circle in terms of size and profitability.
While Macfarlanes is only a mid-sized firm with a limited international presence compared to many of its rivals, it’s regarded as one of the most prestigious law firms in the UK. It can perhaps be seen as the ‘Slaughter and May of the Silver Circle’: smaller in size but significantly more profitable and known for its distinctive tight-knit (and slightly old-school) culture.
When it comes to profit per equity partner (PEP), Macfarlanes regularly beats the Magic Circle firms that disclose the figure. In 2024/25, it posted a market-leading PEP of £3.1 million - well ahead of all but Slaughter and May (which doesn’t disclose the figure but is thought to be north of £3 million).
A City stalwart, Macfarlanes grew steadily and organically throughout the 20th century, conspicuous for the absence of high-profile mergers and glitzy overseas office openings that many City players yearned for.
Today, Macfarlanes just has two offices globally: its HQ in London and a Brussels office opened in 2017. The firm intentionally keeps itself compact. It has around 500 fee-earners, including roughly 100 partners.
Macfarlanes is known for successfully mixing corporate and private client advice. It has a leading corporate/M&A practice and is renowned for its work in the private equity space, especially on mid-market deals. Its private client practice is probably the most highly-regarded in the City.
Macfarlanes makes our ranking of the UK's most prestigious law firms.
Recent work highlights
Recent deal and industry highlights for Macfarlanes include:
Can of Ham Sale: In December 2025, Macfarlanes advised private capital firm Hayfin on its £340 million acquisition of the "Can of Ham" building in the City - an office building whose anchor tenant is US law firm Sidley Austin.
€1.4bn Dalata acquisition: In July 2025, Macfarlanes advised Stockholm-based hotel property giant Pandox on its €1.4 billion acquisition of Dalata - Ireland's biggest hotel group - together with Norwegian investor Eiendomsspar.
Listing of Valterra Platinum: In June 2025, Macfarlanes advised Valterra Platinum on its £7.5 billion London listing and demerger from mining giant Anglo American.
Recent coverage
What is Macfarlanes known for?
Macfarlanes is a full service corporate and private client law firm. Its clients include high net worth individuals, companies, financial institutions, and funds. It’s particularly known for its strengths in the following areas:
Corporate/M&A
Macfarlanes has a leading corporate practice, where it’s particularly strong on mid-market deals under £1 billion. Its private equity clients include Alchemy Partners, JC Flowers, and Mayfair Equity Partners. It has a Band 1 ranking by Chambers for advice on mid-market deals.
Banking and Finance
Macfarlanes is known for handling complex and bespoke mid-market deals for lenders, sponsors, portfolio companies and corporate borrowers. The firm has top rankings from Chambers for its borrower-side and lender-side leveraged finance practices on mid-market deals.
Private Client
Macfarlanes has one of the most highly regarded private client practices in the City. It advises wealthy individuals and families on estate and succession planning, asset and wealth structuring, and family offices matters. The firm’s private wealth practice has a Band 1 ranking by Chambers.
Financial performance
Despite its healthy profits, Macfarlanes only just about makes the top 25 biggest law firms in the UK by revenue. In 2024/25, its revenue was £371.4 million.
In 2024/25, its profit per equity partner (PEP) was £3.1 million.
London salaries
Here’s what Macfarlanes pays its London trainees and newly qualified (NQ) lawyers:
Who does Macfarlanes compete with?
Macfarlanes most definitely punches above its weight. While it doesn't offer the international clout of many rivals, it competes with the leading 'upper mid-market' firms outside the Magic Circle for corporate/M&A mandates, including the likes of:
Trainee information
Other things to know
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