Magic Circle windfall as highest paid partner’s earnings jump to £7 million

Clifford Chance reports another bumper year as partner profits and top earnings rise sharply

Partners at Clifford Chance shared in another substantial profit pool in the 2024 to 2025 financial year, as the global law firm reported continued buoyant trading and rising revenues across all regions.

Newly published financial statements for the year ended 30 April 2025 show that the profit share available to be split among members increased by 12 percent to £872 million. The figures follow the firm’s earlier announcement that global revenue rose by 9 percent to £2.4 billion during the year.

Pre-tax profits climbed by almost 10 percent to £934 million, while profit per equity partner reached £2.11 million. The accounts also disclose that the highest-paid member of the firm saw their total entitlement rise from £6 million to £7.17 million over the year.

The average number of members at Clifford Chance increased from 518 to 543, reflecting continued expansion at senior levels. At the same time, the firm reported a worldwide lawyer headcount of 2,859.

When announcing the firm’s results in July, global managing partner Charles Adams said that all regions had delivered robust growth, with particularly strong performance in the Middle East. The accounts show that every geographic area recorded an improvement in turnover during the year.

Revenue in Europe, including the United Kingdom, rose by 6 percent, while the Asia Pacific region achieved growth of 5 percent. The Middle East delivered the strongest increase, with revenue up by 36 percent. In the United States, Clifford Chance recorded a second consecutive year of significant expansion, with an 18 percent rise in revenue.

Mr Adams was re-elected last month for a second four-year term as global managing partner, which will begin in May. Commenting on the re-election, global senior partner Adrian Cartwright said Mr Adams had successfully led the firm’s growth strategy, with a focus on improving client experience, attracting and retaining talent, and driving operational excellence.

Despite the strong financial performance, the firm is also undertaking changes to its internal operations. The Financial Times reported last month that Clifford Chance plans to cut around 50 back office roles, with a further 35 positions set to change.

The firm said the proposed restructuring would lead to the creation of new roles and revised teams, signalling a reshaping of support functions rather than a simple reduction in capacity.