Beyond the revenue headlines, the LB100 data offers wide-ranging insight into the top performing firms on a whole host of metrics, from headcount and profitability to revenue per lawyer, highlighting the most impressive performers on a year-on-year basis.
The numbers throw up some striking results, from M&A-fuelled growth and top PEP performers to the elite group generating more than £800,000 in revenue per lawyer. Here are the firms setting the pace across key LB100 metrics.
LB100 2026: Revenue
Fletchers Solicitors is the fastest growing firm in this year’s LB100, with the national claimant firm’s revenue up 40% on the back of a series of acquisitions of practices from other firms.
Three of the other firms in the top five for revenue growth are also there as a result of M&A – HSF Kramer, Womble Bond Dickinson, which combined with US firm Lewis Roca, and Knights, which has acquired a succession of regional firms.
Four firms saw revenue fall last year, including Southeast firm Cripps, which last year called off a merger with fellow regional player Michelmores, and Scotland’s Morton Fraser MacRoberts, which saw revenue dip 2.5% in the second full financial year after the 2023 merger that created the firm.
The largest drop across the LB100 was at A&O Shearman. While the firm said its global revenues of $3.7bn were ‘in line’ with last year, the performance equated to a 3% dip in sterling revenues.
LB100 2026: Profit per equity partner
While most casual observers would expect the most profitable firms in the LB100 to be the magic circle, the firms with the highest PEP include several outside that elite group.
DLA Piper and Hogan Lovells are both in the top five for PEP after posting sharp increases, with DLA up 18% to £3.13m and Hogan Lovells up 11% to £2.68m.
While Slaughter and May does not disclose PEP, the firm is understood to be the leader on this metric, with PEP estimated at around £4.6m.
Five firms posted PEP increases of more than 25%, with BCLP recording the largest increase, at 40%. On the flipside, five saw PEP fall by more than 10%, including national firm Clarke Willmott and disputes specialist Stewarts.
LB100 2026: Revenue per lawyer
As this year’s LB100 data highlights, the UK’s largest firms are continuing to increase revenues at a healthy pace while also keeping headcount in check.
The magic circle dominates on revenue per lawyer (RPL), with Slaughter and May leading the way, with just over £1m in revenue for each lawyer at the firm.
Only seven firms generate more than £800,000 in RPL. Alongside Slaughters, the group comprises the other four magic circle firms – A&O Shearman, Linklaters, Clifford Chance and Freshfields – as well as Hogan Lovells and Macfarlanes.
Those firms are well ahead of the pack, with only DLA Piper, BCLP and pensions boutique Sackers sitting in the £600,000 to £800,000 bracket.
LB100 2026: Profit margin
Macfarlanes also stands out as the firm with the highest profit margin in the LB100, with 53% – ahead of Freshfields, Linklaters and Slaughters.
Pensions boutique Sackers – the smallest firm in the LB100, both by revenue and lawyer count – sits in the top five by profit margin, with an impressive net income of £23.6m against total revenue of £47.7m, for a profit margin of 49%.
Those firms are the only five in the LB100 with a profit margin of 48% or more, with the top 10 also including London private client specialists Boodle Hatfield (44%) and Payne Hicks Beach (40%).
