Pravo.ru Compares Russian and International Legal Rankings
Six major legal rankings have established themselves on the Russian legal market, serving as key references for both consultants and clients. We analyzed which rankings feature the most firms and recommended lawyers, whether leaders overlap, and how many Russian and international firms are represented in each.
How Legal Rankings Came to Russia
International analysts were the first to identify top players in the Russian legal market. Legal 500 and Chambers entered Russia in the mid-2000s. Economic growth and an investment boom attracted foreign players, creating demand for local legal market research. Unsurprisingly, international law firms ("ilfs") dominated these rankings initially, explains Ekaterina Kleimenova, founder of LegalBranding.
Russia’s first national ranking, *Pravo.ru-300*, emerged in 2010, highlighting the growing role of domestic firms compared to Legal 500 and Chambers. Since 2015, Kommersant Publishing House has also conducted legal market research.
Persistent "Ilf Hegemony" in International Rankings
The dominance of international firms in global rankings persists, says Andrey Yukov, Managing Partner of Yukov & Partners:
"I suspect one of Legal 500 and Chambers’ goals is to lobby for ilfs’ interests."
His firm now only submits to two Russian rankings.
Veronika Galkina, Lead Analyst at *Pravo.ru-300*, notes:
"International rankings view Russia’s legal market through the lens of their primary consumers—global corporations. Naturally, they recommend firms already active in their clients’ jurisdictions."
Key Factors in Ranking Participation
Elizaveta Seredina, Business Development Manager at Pepeliaev Group, explains that a ranking’s authority and methodological transparency are decisive for leading firms. Russian rankings hold an edge in assessing the local market, adds Evgeny Kovalev (Kovalev, Tugushi & Partners): "They have direct, unfiltered access to firms’ projects—something foreign guides often lack due to barriers."
Domestic vs. International Rankings: Key Differences
- Accessibility: Russian rankings are more attainable for local firms, while international ones favor ilfs and approach newcomers cautiously.
- Methodology:
- *Legal 500/Chambers*: 50% client feedback, 40% projects, 10% peer reviews.
- *Pravo.ru-300*: Prioritizes project evaluation, creating annual shifts, says Galkina.
- Research Focus: Foreign rankings interview firm partners; Kommersant emphasizes industry-specific recommendations.
Strategic Considerations
Natalia Klein, Legal Business Consultant, advises:
"If a firm targets international work or tenders, global rankings matter. For Russia-focused practices, domestic rankings take priority."
Anton Konnov (Allen & Overy Russia) adds: "We evaluate a ranking’s history, participants, practice areas, methodology, and market significance."
Vyacheslav Khorovsky (GRATA International Moscow) stresses objectivity and reputation among clients and peers as additional criteria.
