At Marketing Lawyers, we specialise in maximising your firm’s online visibility through strategic directory submissions.
A strong Legal 500 or Chambers ranking does a lot of quiet work. Clients and referrers check it, in-house counsel use it to build panels, and lawyers point to it when they’re deciding where to build their careers. But submissions take time, the deadlines come round every year, and fee earners rarely have the hours to do them properly.
We take that off your plate. Our team plans, drafts and manages directory submissions for law firms of all sizes, led by people who’ve done this job in-house at some of the UK’s best-known firms.
For a free initial discussion and for a no-obligation quote, please call us on 0330 133 8783 or email info@marketinglawyers.co.uk.
Submissions Led by an Ex In-House Legal Marketer
Our directory work is led by Jon Budge, Head of Digital Marketing & Client Strategy. Jon has more than 15 years’ marketing experience in a Top 100 UK Law firm, where he led the marketing strategy for a 16-department legal division and handled submissions to Legal 500, Chambers & Partners and Who’s Who Legal.
That means we know what directory researchers look for, what partners actually have time to give you, and how to turn a busy year of work into a submission that reads well.
Having written these submissions for 15 years and received training from the directories themselves, I have first-hand knowledge on what it takes to rank a person or a department in both L500 and Chambers & Partners – Jon Budge
Why Legal Directory Rankings Matter
- Credibility with clients and referrers: Commercial clients, in-house legal teams and other professionals often check the directories before they instruct or refer.
- Panel and tender opportunities: Rankings are frequently asked for in pitches and panel reviews.
- Recruitment and retention: Ranked teams and individuals are more attractive to lateral hires and trainees.
- Content for your marketing: A ranking and the researcher commentary that comes with it can be used on your website, profiles, pitches and social media.
Which Directories We Cover
- Chambers & Partners, including Chambers UK and Chambers High Net Worth
- The Legal 500, including The Legal 500 UK
- Who’s Who Legal
Each directory has its own format, research timetable and way of assessing firms. We tailor every submission rather than sending the same document to all of them.
Our Directory Submission Process
- Strategy and planning: We review where you’re ranked now, where you could realistically be ranked, and which practice areas and individuals to put forward. Then we map out every relevant deadline for the year so nothing is missed.
- Information gathering: We interview partners and fee earners, often in short calls rather than long questionnaires, to pull out the matters, clients and achievements that matter.
- Drafting: We write the department overview, work highlights and individual nominations in the style researchers expect, with clear separation of publishable and confidential information.
- Referees: We help you choose referees who will actually respond, and give you a template briefing so they know what to expect when the directory contacts them.
- Submission and interviews: We submit on time, handle correspondence with researchers and help prepare partners for research interviews.
- Results and feedback: When the guides publish, we review the results and commentary with you and use them to plan next year’s submissions.
Directory Listings for Visibility and Local SEO
Directory rankings are different from online listings like the Law Society’s Find a Solicitor, review sites and local business directories. Those matter too, mostly for local search and consistency of your firm’s details across the web. We manage them as part of our local SEO service.
Legal Directory Submission FAQs
Does it cost anything to be ranked in Legal 500 or Chambers?
No. Rankings are based on independent research, and you can’t pay to be ranked. The directories do sell advertising and enhanced profiles, but those are separate from the rankings themselves.
When are the submission deadlines?
Each directory runs an annual research cycle, and deadlines vary by guide, practice area and region. We build a calendar for your firm so you know exactly what’s due and when.
How much partner time does a submission take?
Less than most firms expect. We gather information through short interviews and do the drafting, so partners mainly need to review and approve.
We’ve never been ranked. Is it worth submitting?
Often, yes. Many firms are ranked for the first time after a well-prepared submission backed by good referees. We’ll give you an honest view of your chances before you commit.
Can you guarantee a ranking?
No, and nobody honestly can. The directories decide rankings independently. What we can do is make sure your work is presented as clearly and persuasively as possible, and that referees respond.
Can you help with referees?
Yes. We help you choose referees, prepare briefing emails and track who has been contacted, which is often where submissions fall down.
Book a Free Directory Submissions Review
As specialists in the legal industry, we can assist you wherever you are based. To learn more about how we can help you, then contact us today for a free initial discussion, please call us on 0330 133 8783 or email info@marketinglawyers.co.uk.
