Am Law 100 firms opened 70 offices over 18-month period: Infinite Intelligence

Boston and Riyadh were the most popular destinations.

From January 2023 through June 2024, the Am Law 100 launched 70 new offices globally, according to an analysis by Infinite Intelligence.

Boston and Riyadh topped the list of cities with five new law firm offices each, followed by Dallas and Singapore, both with four. Popular U.S. states for expansion included California (seven), Texas (seven), Massachusetts (six), and Florida (four), while key international locations were Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the UAE, and Germany.

Just a few years ago, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the necessity of physical office space seemed uncertain. However, as firms ramp up new openings at nearly four per month, the importance of a physical footprint in strategic markets is clear.

Beyond tracking new office locations, Infinite Intelligence analyzed 54 press releases, revealing the strategies firms use to communicate their market entries:

·       33.3% mentioned specific practice capabilities in the headline

·       44.4% highlighted the number of partners in the new office

·       31.5% framed the opening as an “expansion,” indicating momentum in the local market

“The data shows that having an office with lawyers on the ground in local markets matters,” said Jamie Diaferia, CEO of Infinite Global. “And so does the way firms communicate their entry into new markets. Firms are making concerted efforts to align their strengths with the local economy while emphasizing momentum and scale.”

Kent Zimmermann, a management consultant with Zeughauser Group, added: “This data is consistent with the accelerated approach most outperforming firms are taking to strategic growth. They’re increasingly striving to align their sector, practice, and geographic growth priorities, following the money in search of sought-after legal work that enhances profitability and advances market leadership in chosen areas of focus.”