Why Most Large Law Firms Don't Have Consumer-Facing Practice Areas

When you think of large law firms, the first thing that comes to mind is likely corporate law or litigation. However, if you were to ask any lawyer working at a large firm whether they have a family law or trust and estates practice area, the answer would likely be no. Why is that? This article will explore why most large firms don't have consumer-facing practice areas.
 

What’s Behind the Lack of Consumer-Facing Practices in Large Law Firms

There’s a reason why you don’t see many large law firms with consumer-facing practices. It all comes down to the business model that these firms operate under. For the most part, AmLaw 100 and AmLaw 200 firms make their money by representing businesses and organizations in court. For a deeper understanding of how law firm profitability hinges on billable hours and firm economics, see The BCG Attorney Search Guide to Basic Law Firm Economics and the Billable Hour: What Every Attorney Needs to Understand to Get Ahead. Their compensation is based on success, so they must be very selective about the cases they take. This is one of the reasons why family law is such a popular practice area for these firms – it’s a lot less risky, and there is a lot of potential for profits. To explore the evolving dynamics of law firm demand and market trends, read The State of the Legal Market in 2025: Trends, Challenges, and Career Strategies.
 

• To see which practice areas in large firms offer the highest compensation, explore Cracking the Legal Fortune: Top 10 Practice Areas with the Highest Salaries.

 

Amlaw 100 and Amlaw 200 Law Firms with Family Law Practices

AmLaw 100 and AmLaw 200 law firms are prestigious law firms ranked among the top 100 and 200 largest firms in the United States, respectively, based on their gross revenue. These firms are known for their expertise in various legal areas, including corporate law, intellectual property, and litigation. Some AmLaw 100 and AmLaw 200 firms also have practices in trust and estates law, which involves legal issues related to the creation and management of trusts, the administration of estates, and the distribution of assets to beneficiaries.

Family law is a legal practice area that covers a wide range of issues related to family relationships, including marriage, divorce, child custody and visitation, adoption, parental rights and responsibilities, support obligations, and domestic violence. Many family law practitioners also handle matters related to property division, prenuptial agreements, and cohabitation agreements.

While the vast majority of law firms included on the AmLaw 100 and 200 lists do not have specific family law practices, several firms do have significant family law practices. Some of the largest and most well-known firms with family law practices include:
 

• Greenberg Traurig LLP
  Greenberg Traurig is a large international law firm with more than 1,800 attorneys in 38 offices across the United States. For insight into how top-tier recruiting and relationship-building practices strengthen elite law firms, explore How to Become a World-Class Recruiter: Best Practices and Strategies. The firm’s family law practice comprises more than 50 attorneys representing clients in all aspects of family law, including divorce, child custody and visitation, support obligations, property division, and prenuptial agreements.
• Latham & Watkins LLP
  Latham & Watkins is another large international law firm with more than 2,000 attorneys in 30 offices worldwide. The firm’s family law practice consists of more than 60 attorneys who advise clients on all aspects of divorce and related matters, such as child custody and visitation, spousal support, property division, and prenuptial agreements.
  Latham & Watkins has represented many high-profile individuals in trust and estate matters in recent years. For example, the firm has represented actor Tom Cruise in the planning and administration of his estate and has also represented media executive Peter Chernin in the planning and administration of his estate. Latham & Watkins has also represented other prominent individuals in trust and estates matters, including private equity executive Stephen Schwarzman and venture capitalist Marc Andreessen.
   
• Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher &Flom LLP
  Skadden is a large New York-based law firm with more than 1,700 attorneys in 27 offices across the United States. The firm’s family law practice includes more than 50 attorneys who handle all aspects of divorce and related matters, such as child custody and visitation, spousal support, property division, and prenuptial agreements.
   
• Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
  Simpson Thacher is another large New York-based law firm with more than 1,400 attorneys in 22 offices around the world. The firm’s family law practice consists of more than 40 attorneys who provide representation and legal advice on all aspects of divorce, including child custody and visitation, spousal support, property division, and prenuptial agreements.
  In recent years, Simpson Thacher has represented some high-profile individuals in trust and estates matters. For example, the firm has represented media executive Rupert Murdoch in the planning and administration of his estate and has also represented actor Johnny Depp in the planning and administration of his estate. Simpson Thacher has also represented other prominent individuals in trust and estates matters, including investment banker David Einhorn and sports agent Casey Close.
   
• Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
  Sullivan & Cromwell is a prominent New York-based law firm with over 1,000 attorneys in 24 offices across the United States and worldwide. The firm’s family law practice includes more than 40 attorneys who provide representation and legal advice on all aspects of divorce, including child custody and visitation, spousal support, property division, and prenuptial agreements. Sullivan & Cromwell also handles various trust and estate matters for clients, including the administration of trusts and other estate planning documents. The firm has represented several high-profile individuals in trust and estates matters, including investor Carl Icahn in the planning and administration of his estate.
  In recent years, Sullivan & Cromwell has represented several high-profile individuals in trust and estate matters. For example, the firm has represented actor and director Ron Howard in the planning and administration of his estate and has also represented former Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein in the planning and administration of his estate. Sullivan & Cromwell has also represented other prominent individuals in trust and estates matters, including investment banker Ray Dalio and hedge fund manager Paul Tudor Jones.
   
• Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
  Davis Polk is another large New York-based law firm with more than 1,200 attorneys in 16 offices. The firm’s family law practice includes more than 50 attorneys who provide representation and legal advice on all aspects of divorce, including child custody and visitation, spousal support, property division, and prenuptial agreements. Davis Polk also handles various trust and estate matters for clients, including the administration of trusts and other estate planning documents. The firm has represented many high-profile individuals in trust and estates matters, including actor Robert De Niro in the planning and administration of his estate.
  In recent years, Davis Polk has represented several high-profile individuals in trust and estate matters. For example, the firm has represented investor George Soros in the planning and administration of his estate and has also represented investor Warren Buffett in the planning and administration of his estate. Davis Polk has also represented other prominent individuals in trust and estate matters, including billionaire philanthropist Eli Broad and the media.

 

Prominent Individuals These Firms Have Represented in Family Law Matters

Some of the most prominent individuals these family law firms have represented include Hollywood celebrities, business moguls, and even royals. In many cases, these clients are high-profile, and their cases receive a great deal of public scrutiny. As such, it is imperative that they have experienced and qualified representation to protect their interests and rights.

Some of the cases that these firms have handled include high-asset divorces, child custody disputes, prenuptial agreements, and more. In each case, their goal is to ensure that their clients receive the best possible outcome. This can mean different things for different people, but it generally means achieving a fair and equitable settlement.

Whether you are a celebrity, businessperson, or royal family member, if you need family law assistance, these firms are well-equipped to handle your case. With years of experience and a team of skilled attorneys, they will fight for you every step of the way to help you achieve the best possible outcome.
 

The Well-Known Matters Amlaw 100 and Amlaw 200 Law Firms Have Been Involved In

The well-known matters of AmLaw 100 and AmLaw 200 law firms have been involved in many high-profile cases. Some of these firms have been around for centuries, while others are relatively new. Regardless, all of these firms have made a significant impact on the legal field.

Amlaw 100 firms are typically the largest and most well-known law firms in the United States. They typically have more than 700 lawyers and often have offices in multiple cities. Amlaw 200 firms are slightly smaller but still considered large and well-established. These firms usually have between 250 and 700 lawyers.

Many of the world’s biggest companies are represented by Amlaw 100 or Amlaw 200 law firms. These firms often handle complex cases that require many resources. In addition to representing big businesses, these firms also represent individuals, families, and small businesses. For strategies that strengthen client relationships and ensure lasting firm success, explore Effective Client Management for Attorneys: Building Relationships and Retaining Business.

The lawyers at Amlaw 100 and Amlaw 200 firms are some of the best in the world. They often have Ivy League degrees and extensive experience in their field. Many of these lawyers are also members of prestigious organizations, such as the American College of Trial Lawyers or the American Bar Association.

Amlaw 100 and Amlaw 200 law firms typically charge higher rates than other law firms. However, their clients usually can afford these rates because they are large companies or wealthy individuals. In addition, these firms often offer discounts to clients who use their services regularly. For insight into how partnership structures and compensation models shape profitability, read Equity Partnership: A New Perspective on Law Firm Compensation.
 

The Advantages of Having a Family Law Practice at An Amlaw Firm

There are many advantages of having a family law practice at an AmLaw firm. First and foremost, the AmLaw firms have the resources to provide the best possible representation for their clients. This includes access to the country’s best legal minds and the financial resources to fund complex litigation. In addition, AmLaw firms are typically located in major metropolitan areas, which provides access to a larger pool of potential clients. For methods attorneys can use to align their career plans with firm objectives, review Setting Strategic Goals for Legal Excellence: A SMART Approach for Attorneys and Law Students. Finally, AmLaw firms typically have a good reputation, which can attract high-quality talent to the firm. For insight into how effective evaluations drive attorney growth and retention, read 7 Effective Tips for Attorney Performance Evaluations: A Comprehensive Guide for Lawyers and Law Students.

Family law, trust, and estates can be essential and rewarding for attorneys who focus on these areas. Family law covers various legal issues, including divorce, child custody, and adoption. Trusts and estates lawyers help clients plan for the future by creating trusts, drafting wills, and handling probate matters.

Attorneys who practice family law or trust and estate law must effectively communicate with clients, opposing counsel, and judges. They must also be able to navigate the often emotionally charged legal landscape of family law or the complicated financial world of trusts and estates.

But for those who are up to the challenge, a family law or trust and estate law career can be immensely gratifying. Helping families through difficult times or assisting clients in protecting their assets for future generations is a truly noble endeavor. For guidance on long-term career advancement within major firms, see From Associate to Partner: Essential Steps for Climbing the Law Firm Career Ladder.
 

Here are some reasons why Amlaw 100 does not have a consumer-facing practice area:

Most large law firms, including AmLaw 100 and AmLaw 200, do not have a consumer-facing practice area like family law or trusts and estates because these types of legal matters are generally not as lucrative as other areas of law, such as corporate law or litigation.
 

1. One reason is that consumer-facing practice areas tend to involve smaller dollar amounts and lower fees than other areas of law. For example, a divorce or child custody case may involve much lower fees than a complex commercial litigation matter or a large mergers and acquisitions transaction. As a result, these legal matters may be less profitable for large law firms, which often rely on high fee-generating matters to sustain their business model. To understand how extended work hours affect productivity and well-being in top firms, see The Truth Behind Extended Lawyer Work Hours.
2. In addition, consumer-facing practice areas often require a different skill set and approach compared to other areas of law. For example, attorneys practicing in these areas may need to have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to navigate emotionally charged situations, as they often work with individuals who are going through difficult personal experiences. This can be in contrast to the more technical and analytical approach often required in other areas of law, such as corporate law or securities law.
3. Another factor that may contribute to the relative lack of consumer-facing practice areas at large law firms is the business model of these firms. Most large law firms operate on a billable hours model, meaning that attorneys are expected to generate a certain number of billable hours each year to meet the firm’s revenue goals. This can make it difficult for attorneys to take on cases that may be more time-consuming or require a different billing structure, such as contingency fee arrangements, which are often used in consumer-facing practice areas.
4. Furthermore, large law firms often focus on serving their corporate clients’ needs, which may not include a need for legal services in family law or trusts and estates. These firms may be more likely to allocate resources and focus their efforts on areas of law that align more closely with the needs of their corporate clients, such as corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, and intellectual property.

 

Conclusion

Most large law firms don’t have consumer-facing practice areas because they’re geared toward businesses and organizations, not individuals. Businesses and organizations have more complex legal needs than individuals do. They need lawyers who specialize in different areas of the law and are familiar with the ins and outs of business law. On the other hand, individual consumers typically only need help with one or two legal issues. They don’t need a team of lawyers, and they don’t need lawyers who are experts in different areas of the law. All they need is a lawyer knowledgeable about the specific issue they’re dealing with and can help them navigate the legal system.

Some large law firms have consumer-facing practice areas, but these are typically very small compared to the rest of the firm. Most large law firms focus on serving businesses and organizations, not individuals. Individual consumers don’t have the same kind of complex legal needs that businesses and organizations do.

Overall, while consumer-facing practice areas like family law and trust and estates can be important and rewarding for attorneys who choose to focus on these areas, they are generally not a priority for large law firms due to their lower profitability and the different skill set and business model required to serve these types of clients effectively. For a complete breakdown of every major legal practice area and its career implications, read The Ultimate Guide to Attorney Practice Areas: Everything You Need to Know for Career Success.


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BCG Attorney Search matches attorneys and law firms with unparalleled expertise and drive, while achieving results. Known globally for its success in locating and placing attorneys in law firms of all sizes, BCG Attorney Search has placed thousands of attorneys in law firms in thousands of different law firms around the country. Unlike other legal placement firms, BCG Attorney Search brings massive resources of over 150 employees to its placement efforts locating positions and opportunities its competitors simply cannot. Every legal recruiter at BCG Attorney Search is a former successful attorney who attended a top law school, worked in top law firms and brought massive drive and commitment to their work. BCG Attorney Search legal recruiters take your legal career seriously and understand attorneys. For more information, please visit www.BCGSearch.com.