Revenue and headcount for several of the largest international firms in Paris dropped sharply last year, amid a generally healthy and expanding market, according to new figures.

The number of firms in France with at least 100 fee-earners expanded from 27 to 30 in 2014, with average revenue for the 50 largest firms growing by 4.7 per cent.

In recently-released data compiled by French publication Juristes Associés looking at the largest 100 firms operating in France by size, and the 50 firms with the highest turnover, the overall picture for 2014 was one of health and expansion.

Of the top 100 firms, the vast majority – or 71 out of the 100 – had seen a rise in headcount last year and only nine out of 50 firms reported a drop in turnover.

In a number of cases headcount rose substantially. DLA Piper, following its 2012 merger with Frieh Bouhenic and a series of hires in 2013, had the greatest expansion of the larger firms. Its fee-earner headcount rose by 28.2 per cent to 132, from just 103 the previous year.

K&L Gates had the biggest increase in headcount of any firm on the list, increasing from 17 fee-earners in 2013 to 31 last year – a rise of 82.4 per cent.

According to the report, some of the greatest decreases in headcount came in the UK magic circle. Juristes Associés said Clifford Chance’s fee-earner headcount had fallen by 17.8 per cent, from 219 fee-earners in 2013 to 180 last year. Nevertheless the firm remains the largest international firm in the Paris market, just ahead of Linklaters and Baker & McKenzie.

Allen & Overy saw the departure of 2.6 per cent of its fee-earners, and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer’s fee-earner numbers fell 19.3 per cent.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton saw its fee-earner numbers dip 14.7 per cent, from 102 to 87, Mayer Brown’s headcount fell 16.9 per cent, and Willkie Farr & Gallagher lost four fee-earners, equal to 6.7 per cent of its headcount.

The report said French revenue had also fallen at Freshfields, although only by €300,000 or 0.3 per cent. Other firms to have experienced falling revenue included Bakers, where turnover fell 6.2 per cent from €85m to €79.8m; Norton Rose Fulbright; Mayer Brown; and McDermott Will & Emery.

The largest firm in France both by size and turnover remains Fidal, which is three times the size of its nearest rival EY in headcount terms, and twice as big as CMS Bureau Francis Lefebvre when revenue is examined.

Earlier this year The Lawyer European 100 revealed that Fidal is also now the largest firm in Europe with turnover of €347.5m.

Among international firms, White & Case reported the highest turnover. It saw growth of 15.3 per cent, with revenue rising from €114.5m in 2013 to €131.9m last year.

International firms accounted for just under half of the revenue of the top 50 firms.

Although the average turnover rise among the top 50 firms was 4.7 per cent, there was only a marginal increase in average revenue per fee-earner. Average revenue per partner increased by 2.8 per cent, according to the report.

Top 10 firms by headcount

Rank Firm Fee-earners 2014 Fee-earners 2013 Change (%)
1 Fidal 1,525 1,433 6.42
2 EY Société d’Avocats 576 576 0
3 PwC Cabinet d’Avocats 442 397 11.34
4 CMS Bureau Francis Lefebvre 388 377 2.92
5 Gide Loyrette Nouel 355 327 8.56
=5 Taj 355 356 -0.3
7 Capstan Avocats 191 192 -0.5
8 Clifford Chance 180 219 -17.81
9 Linklaters 176 163 7.98
10 Baker & McKenzie 170 170 0

Source: Juristes Associés

Top 10 firms by revenue

Rank Firm Turnover 2014 (€m) Turnover 2013 (€m) Change (%)
1 Fidal 343 323 6.32
2 CMS Bureau Francis Lefebvre 165.63 160.3 3.32
3 EY Société d’Avocats 164 156 5.13
4 Gide Loyrette Nouel 137 132 3.79
5 White & Case 131.93 114.45 15.27
6 PwC Cabinet d’Avocats 117 113.7 2.9
7 Clifford Chance 107.4 107.3 0.09
8 Linklaters 104.4 101.3 3.06
9 Allen & Overy* 97.75 85 15
10 Taj 92 87 5.75

* estimated figures

Source: Juristes Associés

Top 10 firms by average revenue per partner (RPP)

Rank Firm RPP (€m) Turnover 2014 (€m) Number of partners
1 Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom* 10 30 3
2 Shearman & Sterling 4.46 80.36 18
3 Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer 3.96 91 23
4 White & Case 3.67 131.93 26
5 Linklaters 3.37 104.4 31
6 Allen & Overy* 3.06 97.75 32
7 Clifford Chance 2.98 107.4 36
8 Latham & Watkins* 2.82 76 27
9 Jones Day 2.81 75.92 27
10 Willkie Farr & Gallagher 2.73 41 15

Source: Juristes Associés