Clifford Chance revenue hits £2.6bn after near double-digit growth

Clifford Chance has reported another year of near double-digit growth, with revenue and partner profits reaching record levels as the Magic Circle firm highlighted continued expansion in the US and strong growth in Asia-Pacific.

Revenue increased 9% to £2.6 billion in the year to 30 April 2026, while partnership profit rose 11% to £1.05 billion. Profit per equity partner (PEP) climbed 9% to £2.3 million.

US expansion continues

The firm used the results to underline the progress of its US strategy, saying revenue is now more than 65% higher than it was three years ago.

Americas revenue increased 9% during the year. The firm reported US-only revenue growth of 18% and 28% in the two previous years.

Asia-Pacific was the standout region, with revenue rising 26% as capital markets activity rebounded in Hong Kong where the firm advised on four of the 10 largest IPOs in 2025. Europe, including the UK, grew 7%, while the Middle East increased 12%.

Among its headline mandates during the year, Clifford Chance advised Nuveen on its £9.9 billion takeover of FTSE 100 asset manager Schroders, Unilever on the $44 billion combination of its food business with US-listed McCormick, and S&P Global on its $1.8 billion acquisition of London-based private markets data provider With Intelligence.

Investment in talent and AI

Clifford Chance promoted 28 lawyers to the partnership and hired 25 lateral partners globally, down from 34 laterals in the previous year. Fifteen of the firm's promotions and lateral hires were in the US.

The firm also said AI adoption across its workforce has now exceeded 90% as it continues to invest in technology.

Global managing partner Charles Adams said the results reflected clients' demand for cross-border advice on their most complex matters, adding that the firm remained "highly confident" in the growth trajectory of its expanding US business.