The Outperformers: Lessons from Top Law Firm Leaders

What drives the success of law firms that regularly outperform?

The Outperformers draws on candid conversations with leaders of the profession’s most admired and profitable firms – and a sample of ascendant competitors – to reveal how exceptional firms build and sustain competitive advantage.

Based on extensive, candid interviews with chairs, managing partners, COOs, and senior business professionals, the book explores the leadership approaches, strategic choices, and cultural attributes that have enabled these firms to evolve, adapt, and strengthen over time.

Authored by Kent Zimmermann with journalists Patrick Smith and Carlyn Kolker, The Outperformers is written for firm leaders, partners, and senior professionals who aim not merely to keep pace—but to lead.

What distinguishes the world’s most successful law firms from their peers?

The Outperformers draws on candid conversations with leaders of the profession’s most admired and profitable firms to reveal how exceptional firms build and sustain competitive advantage. Through first-hand insights from chairs, managing partners, COOs, and senior business leaders, the book explores how strategic clarity, disciplined execution, and strong leadership cultures drive superior performance in an increasingly competitive legal market.

Authored by Kent Zimmermann with journalists Patrick Smith and Carlyn Kolker, The Outperformers is written for firm leaders, partners, and senior professionals who aim not merely to keep pace—but to lead.

Kent Zimmermann advised on the largest two mergers of 2025, one of which was the largest law firm merger in history, the combination of Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft with Hogan Lovells. In this Q&A, Kent discusses with law.com how ZG has invested for the past decade in building out the future of its firm, including a team of associates and analysts, and how that has translated into more impactful value for clients and deeper, longer relationships with them

Law firm mergers are off to another strong start in 2024, with multiple combinations that span all corners of the continental U.S announced this week. Kent Zimmermann notes that over the past 24 months, higher-performing, higher-quality firms are putting mergers and acquisitions on the table when they hadn’t done so historically. One huge driver on why so many firms are interested in mergers is the recognition of significant benefits of scale.

This article is the third in a series on law firm mergers. The first piece examined how mergers succeed, and the second one discussed turning a firm with declining profits into an accretive acquisition. This third article discusses the strategies of mergers and their impact on both clients and partners.

Mary K Young writes about the process of law firm mergers, the growing urge for firms to combine, the sensitivity around post-merger firm names, and retaining brand equity.

Merger discussions among even some unlikely pairings seem to be heating up. In their new book, Kent Zimmermann and John E. Morris explain why and offer tips on how firms of various sizes and market positions should approach merger discussions.

In this article, Peter Zeughauser reviews the growth of Big Law and outlines what may be expected in 2022, which looks to be another big year for those firms. Size matters. Large firms with high revenue, high margins, and high levels of profitability will likely continue to widen the chasm between themselves and the next tier.

Zeughauser Group's 2021 Pocket Guide to the American Lawyer Rankings of the Am Law 200 by Profits Per Equity Partner and by Value Per Lawyer; The A-List; The Global 100; The Global 200; The China 50; The Asia 50; and The Corporate Scorecard.

If you would like a hard copy of the 2021 ZGuide, please send an email to zgadmin@consultzg.com with "2021 ZGuide Request" in the subject line and provide your mailing address.

There has been healthy chatter about the 2021 law firm merger market since last spring, when law firm leaders shuddered at the thought of what damage the COVID-19 crisis might inflict on BigLaw finances. Peter Zeughauser analyzes the BigLaw merger market in 2021 and senses that it seems poised for a return to normal. Indeed, by the end of January, it may feel like a snapback. By the end of 2021, last year's dip in the law firm merger market will be an anomaly, for a number of reasons.

Zeughauser Group's 2020 Pocket Guide to the American Lawyer Rankings of the Am Law 200 by Profits Per Equity Partner and by Value Per Lawyer; The A-List; The Global 100; The Global 200; The China 45; The Asia 50; and The Corporate Scorecard.

You can download the ZGuide here.

If you would like a hard copy of the 2020 ZGuide, please send an email to zgadmin@consultzg.com with "2020 ZGuide Request" in the subject line and provide your mailing address.

This report summarizes the findings of Zeughauser Group's survey of managing partners and other senior leaders of Washington DC law firms. The firms ranged in size from less than 10 to nearly 150 attorneys, and the findings are based on the contributions of 36 respondents. The objective of the survey was to learn about the outlook that respondents have for the future, including the nature and extent of their growth aspirations. The survey was conducted in the first half of 2019.

Zeughauser Group's 2019 Pocket Guide to the American Lawyer Rankings of the Am Law 200 by Profits Per Equity Partner and by Value Per Lawyer; The A-List; The Global 100; The Global 200; The China 45; and The Corporate Scorecard.

You can download the ZGuide here

If you would like a hard copy of the 2019 ZGuide, please send an email to zgadmin@consultzg.com with "2019 ZGuide Request" in the subject line and provide your mailing address.

In this podcast, Kent Zimmermann shares insights on recent large law firm mergers, what the components of a successful law firm merger are, why plaintiffs choose to pursue US-based lawsuits, how to develop relationships with reporters and to be quoted in the news and media, and what makes an effective managing partner and law firm leader.

A summary of findings from Zeughauser Group's survey of Boston law firms, focusing on the potential for mergers and combinations, likely growth areas and geographies, and future priorities and challenges. Survey respondents were exclusively managing partners and other senior leaders of Boston law
firms ranging in size from approximately 10 to 200 attorneys.

For more information about this survey, contact Kent Zimmermann at zimmermann@consultzg.com or (312) 810-8008.

Zeughauser Group's 2018 Pocket Guide to the American Lawyer Rankings of the Am Law 200 by Profits Per Equity Partner and by Value Per Lawyer; The A-List; The Global 100; and The Corporate Scorecard.

You can download the ZGuide here

If you would like a hard copy of the 2018 ZGuide, please send an email to zgadmin@consultzg.com with "2018 ZGuide Request" in the subject line and provide your mailing address.

An increasing number of law firm leaders have concluded that they need to grow high quality headcount in their areas of focus to remain competitive. Many have chosen to consider all potential options for achieving growth. This includes recruiting laterals, small groups, or combinations. Many firms choose to put all three options on the table. Strategic planning helps law firms choose among their options. Mary K Young and Kent Zimmermann discuss in The American Lawyer.

Executive Summary of results from 2018 survey of Texas law firm leaders:

• 82% report they were approached to combine with another firm in the past year. Texas remains a highly sought-after growth destination.
• 32% are open to considering a combination with another firm in the next three to five years. Of these, 80% indicated interest in a transformational combination with a larger or similarly- sized firm.

A big infrastructure spending bill piled on top of tax cuts would be a major shot in the arm for BigLaw.