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The 9 Best Law Firms in Sydney (2026)

Updated October 2026 · 9 picks

The best law firms in Sydney in 2026 include Allens and MinterEllison for major corporate work, Holding Redlich and Mills Oakley for property and commercial matters, Watts McCray for family law and Maurice Blackburn for personal injury claims. Coleman Greig and Bartier Perry suit individuals and private businesses.

In NSW most people deal with a solicitor, who advises you, runs the matter and briefs a barrister if it goes to court. Choose the firm by the type of matter: the big national firms are built for corporate and government clients, while family, injury, wills and property matters for individuals are often better handled by firms that do that work every day.

1. Allens — CBD (Circular Quay)

One of Australia's oldest and largest firms, in alliance with Linklaters.

Specialty Corporate, M&A, banking, disputes, competition, energy and infrastructureBest for Large companies, banks, governments and investors

Allens traces its history back to 1822 in Sydney and is one of Australia's top-tier commercial firms, working in an integrated alliance with the international firm Linklaters. Its practice covers the full corporate spectrum — mergers and acquisitions, banking and finance, major disputes, competition, tax, energy and infrastructure.

It is the firm for big-ticket corporate and government work rather than personal legal problems. If you are a business expanding into Australia, or an investor making a major acquisition, it is one of the first names on the list.

Good to know: Overseas companies: its Linklaters alliance means one point of contact for cross-border deals.

Level 25, 33 Alfred Street, Sydney NSW 2000

Google Maps Website

2. MinterEllison — CBD (Farrer Place)

One of Australia's largest law firms, with a consulting arm alongside the legal practice.

Specialty Corporate, government, property, disputes, workplace, consultingBest for Companies, government agencies and large organisations

MinterEllison is one of Australia's largest law firms, with its Sydney office in Governor Macquarie Tower on Farrer Place. It covers almost every area of commercial law and also runs a consulting business, which suits organisations that want legal and advisory work under one roof.

Like Allens, it is built for corporate and public-sector clients. Businesses dealing with regulators, big property developments, employment disputes or major contracts will find depth here.

Good to know: Ask for the specific practice group up front — the firm is large and routing matters.

Level 40, Governor Macquarie Tower, 1 Farrer Place, Sydney NSW 2000

Google Maps Website

3. Holding Redlich — CBD (Martin Place)

A national commercial and government firm with strong construction, property and workplace practices.

Specialty Commercial, government, construction, planning, property, workplace relationsBest for Businesses, government agencies, developers and not-for-profits

Holding Redlich describes itself as a commercial and government law firm, and it is known for construction and infrastructure, planning and environment, property, and workplace relations and safety. Its Sydney office is on Level 65 at 25 Martin Place.

It suits mid-sized and large businesses, developers and public bodies who want partner attention without the scale of the very biggest firms. Its regular legal updates on NSW planning and security-of-payment decisions are worth reading.

Good to know: Its published NSW construction and planning updates are a quick way to judge its expertise before you call.

Level 65, 25 Martin Place, Sydney NSW 2000

Google Maps Website

4. Mills Oakley — CBD (Clarence Street)

A national firm with big property, planning and commercial practices.

Specialty Property and development, planning, commercial, insurance, workplaceBest for Developers, businesses, insurers and private clients

Mills Oakley calls itself a leading national law firm, and in Sydney it is particularly known for property, development and planning work alongside commercial, insurance and workplace law. Its Sydney office is on Clarence Street in the CBD.

It is a good fit for developers and investors, and for businesses that want a full-service firm at mid-tier rates. Private clients can use it for property, wills and estates work as well.

Good to know: Ask about fixed fees for defined pieces of work, such as a lease review or a development agreement.

Level 7, 151 Clarence Street, Sydney NSW 2000

Google Maps Website

5. HWLE Lawyers — CBD (Martin Place)

One of Australia's largest firms by number of partners (formerly HWL Ebsworth).

Specialty Commercial, property, planning, insurance, litigation, workplaceBest for Businesses, insurers, councils and private clients

HWLE Lawyers, long known as HWL Ebsworth, is a national firm with offices in the Sydney CBD and at Norwest in the Hills District. Its tagline is legal solutions that make commercial sense, and its practice covers commercial work, property and planning, insurance, litigation and employment.

It suits businesses and councils looking for a broad, commercially minded firm, and its Norwest office is handy if you live or work in Sydney's north-west.

Good to know: Based in the Hills District? Its Norwest office saves a trip into the CBD.

Level 9, 5 Martin Place, Sydney NSW 2000

Google Maps Website

6. Bartier Perry — CBD (Castlereagh Street)

A Sydney-based commercial firm with a Parramatta presence and a practical reputation.

Specialty Commercial, property, government, workplace, litigation, wills and estatesBest for Private businesses, government bodies and individuals

Bartier Perry is a Sydney commercial law firm with its main office on Castlereagh Street and meetings by appointment at Parramatta Square. It works for private businesses, local and state government bodies and individuals across commercial, property, employment and litigation matters.

Being Sydney-focused rather than national, it suits clients who want a firm that knows NSW courts, councils and regulators closely, at rates below the national giants.

Good to know: Western Sydney clients can ask to meet at its Parramatta Square office (by appointment).

Level 25, 161 Castlereagh Street, Sydney NSW 2000

Google Maps Website

7. Coleman Greig — Parramatta

A Western Sydney firm that looks after families and private businesses.

Specialty Family law, wills and estates, property, business law, disputesBest for Families, individuals and private businesses, especially in Western Sydney

Coleman Greig is based in Parramatta, with further offices at Norwest and in the Sydney CBD at 25 Martin Place. It works for both people and businesses: family law, wills and estate planning, property and conveyancing, business and commercial law, and disputes.

It is a strong option if you live in Western Sydney or the Hills and want one firm that can handle a house purchase, a will and your business's contracts. Its Parramatta office is a short walk from the station.

Good to know: Its Parramatta office is the main one — convenient if you live west of the city.

Level 15, 32 Smith Street, Parramatta NSW 2150

Google Maps Website

8. Watts McCray — CBD (George Street)

A specialist family law firm with offices across Sydney and Wollongong.

Specialty Family law: divorce, property settlement, parenting, financial agreementsBest for Separating couples and parents

Watts McCray does family law and nothing else, from offices in the Sydney CBD, Parramatta, the Northern Beaches (Brookvale) and Wollongong. Its work covers divorce, property settlements, parenting arrangements, binding financial agreements and mediation.

A specialist firm is usually the right call for a separation: it knows the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia's procedures and the realistic outcomes. It suits anyone separating in Sydney, including couples with assets or children overseas.

Good to know: Ask whether mediation could resolve your matter before court — it is usually faster and cheaper.

Level 7, Suite 702, 570 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000

Google Maps Website

9. Maurice Blackburn — CBD (Liberty Place)

Australia's best-known plaintiff firm for injury compensation and class actions.

Specialty Personal injury, workers' compensation, superannuation claims, class actions, employmentBest for Injured people, employees and class action members

Maurice Blackburn is a national plaintiff firm best known for personal injury and compensation claims — road accidents, workplace injuries, medical negligence, superannuation and insurance claims — and for running some of Australia's largest class actions. Its Sydney office is in Liberty Place on Castlereagh Street.

It suits individuals with an injury or employment claim who cannot fund a case themselves: it offers a free first assessment and runs many claims on a no-win, no-fee basis. Ask exactly what fees and costs apply if you win.

Good to know: Use its free claim check first, and ask for its costs agreement in writing before you sign.

Level 29 Liberty Place, 161 Castlereagh Street, Sydney NSW 2000

Google Maps Website

Frequently asked questions

How much does a lawyer cost in Sydney?

Rates vary widely: junior solicitors at smaller firms may charge a few hundred dollars an hour, partners at large firms far more. Many firms quote fixed fees for wills, conveyancing and simple agreements, and personal injury firms often work on a no-win, no-fee basis. Under NSW law a solicitor must give you a written costs disclosure if fees are likely to exceed $750, so ask for an estimate up front.

Do I need a solicitor or a conveyancer to buy property in NSW?

Either a solicitor or a licensed conveyancer can do your conveyancing — review the contract, run searches, handle exchange and settle with your lender. Conveyancers are often cheaper for straightforward purchases; a solicitor is better if the contract needs negotiating, the property is a strata unit with issues, or you are buying through a company or trust.

How do I check if a lawyer is qualified in NSW?

Search the Law Society of NSW's Find a Lawyer register to confirm the solicitor holds a current practising certificate. If they say they are a specialist (family law, wills and estates, property and so on), check they are a Law Society Accredited Specialist. Disciplinary findings are published by the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

How does divorce work in Australia?

Australia has no-fault divorce: you apply to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia after 12 months' separation, and the divorce itself is separate from property settlement and parenting arrangements. Property claims must generally be made within 12 months of the divorce becoming final. A family lawyer such as Watts McCray can advise on both.

Are there English-speaking or multilingual lawyers in Sydney?

All NSW solicitors practise in English, and Sydney's multicultural mix means many firms have lawyers who speak other languages — ask when you book. If you need an interpreter for court or a government process, the free Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) can often help.

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