JONESDAY was static at eighth place in The Global 100 last year. Total revenue rose by 8 per cent, from $1.19bn (£653.8m) to $1.28bn (£706m). PEP, never the firm’s strongest suit, actually dropped by 2 per cent, from $735,000 (£404,000) to $720,000 (£396,000).

Jones Day merged with US IP boutique Pennie & Edmonds in January 2004, which bulked up the firm’s presence in New York by more than 100 lawyers and brought it a San Diego office. That practice area focus continued throughout 2005; the firm boosted its IP presence in California and, most notably, in China, recruiting the head of Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker’s IT and biotech practice. Additionally, the hire of Shanghai-based Tony Chen was a neat attempt to leverage off California-China tech business relationships.

Unlike many of its peers, Jones Day has always had a focus in Asia and was the first US firm allowed to practise in Hong Kong. Since its establishment there more than 20 years ago it has grown a substantial China practice.

Corporate and restructuring remained a big area in 2005. The firm made a strong showing in the worldwide M&A tables over that calendar year and sought to build its corporate presence in Asia by bringing in a team of four lawyers from Heller Ehrman into its Hong Kong office.

Europe has seen comparatively little growth since the London merger with Gouldens in 2003. The London office has downsized its partnership, but is a hub for referrals into Europe from the US practice, particularly in real estate, corporate and restructuring – the latter particularly for key US client Wilbur Ross. In contrast to the US and Asia practices, IP has been much less of a focus in the UK, which lost two partners during the year.