After months of in-depth research, IEL is delighted to announce that IEL Elite 2025 is here: a list of the world's leading international, national, and boutique labour/employment law practices.

These are the departments providing cutting-edge advice, deftly coordinating large multijurisdictional teams, and continuing to grow and innovate.

During the research, we spoke to more than 150 leading individuals at 90 firms across 35 jurisdictions. We also spoke with our in-house counsel subscribers, who provided valuable feedback on the teams they turn to for day-to-day queries and in crisis moments – giving us a view from both sides of the market.

These practices are truly leading the way and holding their own amid a changing working world, navigating myriad challenges – from advancements in AI regulation to questions around non-competes, delicate internal investigations, complex business-critical corporate operations, and everything in between – all in the context of shifting geopolitical forces and economic pressures.

Click here to view the 2025 IEL Elite.

About the Elite

Elite firms are split into three categories:

Global Elite: Firms in this category have an extensive, leading global presence through office locations and/or top-tier internationally focused employment teams that demonstrate impressive skill in coordinating large multi-country mandates from key hubs. These teams regularly advise on projects covering tens of jurisdictions, and receive substantial recognition for their standing on the global stage.

Multijurisdictional Elite: Firms in this category operate out of more than one jurisdiction, and are adroit at taking on some of the most complicated and delicate labour and employment work, including at domestic, regional, or international level. These teams are market leaders in their region, or impressive transatlantic groups that truly understand the nuances of cross-border employment law advice.

National Elite: Firms in this category are domestic market leaders – either as part of full-service offerings or as dedicated labour and employment boutiques. These are firms that international or foreign firms without a local presence go to, and that grasp the subtleties of translating domestic legislation to non-local audiences and aligning the same with the requirements of multinationals.

IEL Elite is updated annually. For more information on our methodology, and how to participate in next year’s research, click here.