Biggest Litigators: Skadden, Cravath; Only 4 UK Firms in Top 50

Skadden is the top litigation firm, as far as overall revenue is concerned, and Cravath leads in litigation revenue per partner, according to a survey by a U.K. legal publication.

Meanwhile, U.S.-based BigLaw firms dominate the field decisively: only four U.K.-based law firms are included in the top 50 litigation revenue generators, reports the Lawyer.

Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom generated about $901 million from litigation, arbitration and dispute-related matters last year, representing about 45 percent of the megafirm's $2 billion in total revenue.

But "in what is arguably a more revealing yardstick than total revenue, Skadden’s revenue per lawyer (RPL) was $1.33m (£665,000), a figure that sees its ranking drop to the number five spot," the article states. "In contrast, New York elite firm Cravath Swaine & Moore snared the top spot both for RPL and revenue per partner (RPP), posting $1.69m (£845,000) and $8.45m (£4.22m) respectively."

As the Lawyer points out, heavy hitters in litigation practice are expected to be well-positioned to move ahead in a difficult economy because of an anticipated upsurge in work.