US firms are securing many of the biggest, most complex commercial disputes in London, analysis of court data has revealed. The findings suggest that over the past five years US firms - as distinct from London-based transatlantic practices - have positioned themselves at the most valuable and consequential end of the market. 

In 2025, according to the analysis by legal data business Solominic, the median claim value for US firms was £10 million, compared with an all firm average of £740,000.

While US firms accounted for around 4% of all claims by volume from 2020 to 2025, the type of work they undertook is distinctive. Claims involving US firms were far more likely to go to court, with 21% reaching a judicial settlement compared with a 9% average for all claims. 'As a segment, US firms are disproportionately involved in the most hard-fought, high-stakes disputes, the cases that go the distance,' the reports authors observed.

Between 2020 and 2025, the most active US firms by claim count were Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, Reed Smith, Jones Day and Morgan, Lewis & Bockius. Each was involved in more than 100 claims over the period. Close behind are Baker McKenzie and Scott & Scott, both involved in 99 claims.

Beyond the Commercial Court, US firms are also particularly active in the Business List; the General King’s Bench Division; the Intellectual Property List; the Competition Appeal Tribunal; and the Technology and Construction Court. 

 

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