'Recession-proof' work keeps firms at top of survey

Clifford Chance is the most popular international firm, according to a survey of 5,000 in-house counsel out this week.

The global giant stormed to the top from third place last year in Global Counsel magazine's survey.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer came third, Allen & Overy fourth and Linklaters sixth; last year, they were first, second and fourth respectively.

Lovells maintained seventh while Simmons & Simmons made the top ten for the first time - replacing collapsed Anderson Legal in ninth.

US firm Baker & McKenzie moved from sixth place last year to second, while White & Case, Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom, and Shearman & Sterling were fifth, eighth and tenth respectively.

The survey found that firms strong in 'recession-proof' areas, such as competition, tax and employment, weathered the downturn best.

Jeremy Fleming