21 leading law firms. 7 dimensions. One conclusion:
the war for talent is won by firms that are visible.
The legal sector faces an acute talent shortage. Senior associates, niche specialists and top talent are scarce. Firms that invest in their visibility as an employer today are building a structural advantage.
Experienced lawyers don't just look for a job. They choose a firm. And that starts with a Google search, a LinkedIn profile, and Chambers/Legal 500 rankings.
This is not an opinion poll. Every score is based on concrete, traceable data points — from LinkedIn followers to Glassdoor ratings, from Chambers rankings to FT Innovative Lawyers recognition.
Systematically analysed based on LinkedIn Analytics, Glassdoor, Chambers & Partners, Legal 500, websites, career pages and Belgian media.
The average score across 7 dimensions shows that every firm — regardless of size or type — has specific growth opportunities in terms of visibility and employer branding. Click on a firm to see its dimension profile.
Innovation & Technology and Managing Partner Reputation are the dimensions with the most untapped potential — and precisely where the biggest opportunities lie to differentiate.
| Firm | Comm. | M.P. | Digital | Empl.Br. | Thought | Innov. | Market | Avg. |
|---|
The personal visibility of the managing partner is one of the strongest levers for firm reputation — and at the same time the dimension with the most growth potential in the sector.
Firms like Osborne Clarke (9/10), Freshfields, DLA Piper and A&O Shearman demonstrate how to make innovation visible through proprietary platforms, partnerships and awards. Fieldfisher's dpcuria.eu — an open CJEU database — is a textbook example of thought leadership through technology.
The personal visibility of managing partners is sector-wide the dimension with the most room for growth. Tim Van Canneyt (Fieldfisher, 8/10) and Niels Ersbøll (Arnold & Porter, 8/10) show how thought leadership and media appearances enhance the perception of an entire firm. This potential is available to every firm.
Belgian independent firms possess excellent legal expertise and strong market positions — Tiberghien scores 8/10 on thought leadership, Claeys & Engels is Tier 1 in employment law. The opportunity lies in making that quality more visible through digital channels and stronger corporate communication.
Employer branding is the dimension where the entire sector can grow. CMS Belgium shows with a Glassdoor score of 4.2/5 and 87% recommendation how an active employer policy works. In a tight labour market, this is a directly deployable competitive advantage.
Willow Agency strengthens your reputation by working on your employer brand through targeted and compelling communication on the channels that truly matter — from thought leadership and personal branding of partners to employee advocacy and social media strategy.
Willow Agency brings the communication strategy and expertise to make your firm visible to the talent that makes the difference.