Top 20 Family Office Legal & Structuring Advisors 2025

This report forms part of the Ranking News Legal & Arbitration series, which evaluates specialist dispute resolution firms handling complex cross-border arbitration matters for multinational corporations, sovereign entities, and institutional investors.

Family offices increasingly operate as complex institutional structures managing diversified global assets. These organizations require legal advisors capable of supporting multi-jurisdictional investment structures, succession governance frameworks, and long-term asset preservation strategies.

Family office legal advisors frequently assist clients with structuring investment holding vehicles, establishing governance frameworks, coordinating international trust arrangements, and supporting intergenerational wealth transition planning.

The firms recognized in this ranking represent legal practices whose work continues to shape the evolving legal framework surrounding global family offices and private wealth institutions.

Market Overview

The global family office sector has expanded significantly over the past decade as private wealth accumulation continues to increase across multiple regions.

Many large family offices now operate as institutional investment entities managing diversified portfolios that include private equity investments, direct corporate holdings, real estate assets, and philanthropic foundations. As these structures become more sophisticated, legal advisors play a central role in designing governance frameworks and investment vehicles capable of supporting long-term family wealth management.

Family office lawyers frequently assist clients with establishing holding companies, private investment structures, and trust arrangements across multiple jurisdictions. Their work often involves coordinating with tax advisors, trustees, and investment professionals to create integrated wealth management frameworks.

Major advisory hubs for family office legal services remain concentrated in financial centers such as London, Geneva, New York, and Hong Kong, where many global family offices maintain operational or investment presence.

Industry Trend — 2025

In 2025, family offices continue to expand their investment activities and global geographic reach.

Many large family offices now operate as direct investors participating in private equity transactions, venture capital investments, and real estate developments across multiple regions. As these organizations grow in scale and complexity, demand for specialized legal advisors capable of supporting institutional governance and investment structuring continues to increase.

Legal advisors assisting family offices frequently support the design of governance frameworks intended to manage intergenerational wealth transfer while maintaining operational flexibility for investment decision-making.

At the same time, evolving regulatory frameworks affecting cross-border investment structures continue to increase the complexity of family office legal planning, reinforcing the importance of experienced legal advisors within the global private wealth sector.

Methodology — Core Eligibility Criteria

Firms considered for this ranking were evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Demonstrated experience advising family offices or ultra-high-net-worth families
• Advisory capabilities in multi-jurisdictional wealth structures
• Expertise in family governance and succession frameworks
• Participation in international private wealth structuring matters
• Presence in major private wealth advisory markets

The ranking focuses on law firms whose practices regularly assist family offices managing complex international wealth structures.

Methodology — Ranking Factors

Firms included in the ranking were evaluated using qualitative institutional indicators including:

• Experience advising family office structures
• Reputation within the private wealth legal community
• Cross-border structuring expertise
• Governance and succession advisory capabilities
• Institutional experience supporting complex wealth structures

The Ranking News Top Family Office Legal & Structuring Advisors 2025 ranking evaluates law firms advising family offices and ultra-high-net-worth families on international legal structures.

The ranking universe consisted of 30 law firms, from which 20 institutions were selected for inclusion.

Tier classifications reflect relative institutional positioning within the international family office advisory market.

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Tier I — Leading Family Office Legal & Structuring Advisors

Withers

• Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
• Founded: 1896

Withers is widely regarded as one of the most prominent global law firms advising ultra-high-net-worth families and family offices. The firm focuses extensively on private wealth structuring, family governance frameworks, and cross-border asset planning designed to support multi-generational wealth preservation.

Its lawyers regularly assist family offices with establishing international trust structures, investment holding companies, and governance arrangements governing family-controlled investment platforms. Withers frequently advises clients managing complex global portfolios that include operating businesses, private equity investments, and real estate holdings across multiple jurisdictions.

Through its long-standing specialization in private client law and its international network of offices, the firm has developed a strong reputation for supporting sophisticated family office structures. With decades of experience advising prominent international families, Withers continues to maintain a leading position within the global private wealth legal sector.

Baker McKenzie

• Headquarters: Chicago, United States
• Founded: 1949

Baker McKenzie maintains one of the largest global private wealth and tax advisory practices among international law firms. The firm regularly advises family offices and multinational families on cross-border structuring frameworks designed to manage complex international asset portfolios.

Its lawyers frequently assist clients with the establishment of investment vehicles, holding companies, and trust arrangements spanning multiple jurisdictions. Baker McKenzie’s family office advisory work often intersects with tax planning, corporate structuring, and international regulatory considerations affecting cross-border wealth management.

Through its extensive international office network, the firm is able to coordinate legal strategies across numerous jurisdictions, supporting global family offices operating complex investment structures. Baker McKenzie’s global platform and multidisciplinary advisory capabilities continue to reinforce its standing within the international family office legal advisory market.

McDermott Will & Emery

• Headquarters: Chicago, United States
• Founded: 1934

McDermott Will & Emery maintains a highly regarded private wealth practice advising family offices, entrepreneurs, and high-net-worth families on cross-border structuring and governance frameworks. The firm frequently assists clients with establishing investment structures designed to manage multi-jurisdictional assets and operating businesses.

Its lawyers regularly advise family offices on succession planning, governance frameworks, and international trust structures supporting long-term wealth preservation. McDermott’s practice often involves coordinating legal planning across tax, corporate, and estate law considerations affecting global wealth structures.

The firm’s experience advising complex family office organizations and private investment structures has contributed to its reputation within the global private wealth legal community. Through its strong private client focus and institutional client base, McDermott continues to maintain an influential role in the international family office advisory sector.

Farrer & Co

• Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
• Founded: 1701

Farrer & Co maintains a long-established reputation for advising prominent families and family offices on private wealth governance and legal structuring matters. The firm’s private client practice frequently supports families managing complex international asset portfolios and multi-generational wealth planning frameworks.

Its lawyers regularly assist clients with establishing trust structures, family governance arrangements, and investment holding companies designed to support long-term wealth preservation. Farrer & Co also advises family offices coordinating philanthropic initiatives, corporate holdings, and international property investments.

Through its deep experience advising established family wealth and its strong presence within the London private client legal community, the firm continues to play an important role within the global family office advisory ecosystem. Farrer & Co’s longstanding heritage and client relationships reinforce its standing within the international private wealth legal sector.

Mishcon de Reya

• Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
• Founded: 1937

Mishcon de Reya maintains a prominent private wealth practice advising high-net-worth families and family offices on international structuring and governance matters. The firm regularly assists clients with trust frameworks, asset protection strategies, and cross-border wealth management structures.

Its lawyers frequently support family offices managing diversified global investments including private equity interests, real estate holdings, and family-owned operating businesses. Mishcon de Reya also advises clients navigating legal considerations associated with international wealth planning and succession governance.

Through its strong focus on entrepreneurial wealth and international family office clients, the firm has developed a recognized presence within the private wealth legal sector. Mishcon de Reya’s experience advising globally mobile families continues to support its position within the international family office advisory market.

Charles Russell Speechlys

• Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
• Founded: 1855

Charles Russell Speechlys maintains a widely recognized private wealth practice advising family offices and international families on complex cross-border structuring matters. The firm frequently assists clients establishing governance frameworks, holding companies, and trust structures designed to support multi-generational wealth planning.

Its lawyers regularly advise families managing international business interests, private investment portfolios, and philanthropic initiatives spanning multiple jurisdictions. Charles Russell Speechlys also works closely with trustees, tax advisors, and investment professionals to coordinate legal strategies supporting family wealth structures.

Through its longstanding focus on private client advisory services and its international office network, the firm has established a strong reputation within the global private wealth legal sector. Charles Russell Speechlys continues to play a significant role advising sophisticated family office structures.

Macfarlanes

• Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
• Founded: 1875

Macfarlanes maintains a highly regarded private client practice advising family offices and high-net-worth families on international wealth structuring and governance frameworks. The firm frequently assists clients establishing investment vehicles, holding companies, and trust arrangements supporting complex global asset portfolios.

Its lawyers regularly advise entrepreneurial families and family offices managing investments across private equity, real estate, and corporate holdings. Macfarlanes’ private client team often collaborates with corporate and tax specialists to structure legal frameworks supporting international family investment platforms.

Through its strong reputation within the London private wealth advisory market and its experience advising globally active families, the firm continues to maintain an important presence within the international family office legal sector.

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Tier II — Established Family Office Legal Practices

The Tier II category includes law firms that maintain established reputations advising family offices and high-net-worth families on wealth governance, succession planning, and cross-border structuring matters.

These firms frequently assist clients with trust arrangements, international holding structures, and governance frameworks designed to support the management of family wealth across multiple jurisdictions.

(Alphabetical order)

Boodle Hatfield

• Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
• Founded: 1722

Boodle Hatfield maintains a respected private client practice advising high-net-worth families and family offices on wealth structuring and succession planning matters. The firm frequently assists clients with trust frameworks, family governance arrangements, and legal structures designed to support the long-term management of family assets.

Its lawyers regularly advise families managing international property holdings, operating businesses, and investment portfolios across multiple jurisdictions. Through its longstanding focus on private wealth advisory services, Boodle Hatfield continues to maintain a strong presence within the London private client legal market.

Forsters

• Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
• Founded: 1998

Forsters maintains an established private client practice advising high-net-worth families and family offices on international wealth structuring and governance frameworks. The firm frequently assists clients with trust arrangements, succession planning strategies, and legal structures designed to support cross-border asset management.

Its lawyers regularly advise clients managing diversified investment portfolios including property, operating businesses, and private investment vehicles. Through its experience supporting complex family wealth structures, Forsters continues to maintain a recognized presence within the private wealth legal sector.

Harbottle & Lewis

• Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
• Founded: 1955

Harbottle & Lewis maintains a well-established private client practice advising high-net-worth individuals and family offices on wealth governance and legal structuring matters. The firm frequently assists clients with trust arrangements, succession planning frameworks, and family governance structures.

Its lawyers regularly advise families managing international assets and investment interests across multiple jurisdictions. Through its strong reputation within the London private wealth advisory community, Harbottle & Lewis continues to contribute to the broader family office legal ecosystem.

Howard Kennedy

• Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
• Founded: 2003

Howard Kennedy maintains a private wealth practice advising family offices and high-net-worth families on cross-border structuring and succession planning matters. The firm frequently assists clients with trust arrangements, investment structures, and governance frameworks supporting multi-generational wealth management.

Its lawyers regularly advise families managing international business interests and diversified asset portfolios. Howard Kennedy’s focus on private client advisory services continues to support its presence within the London private wealth legal sector.

Kingsley Napley

• Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
• Founded: 1937

Kingsley Napley maintains an established private client practice advising high-net-worth families and family offices on wealth governance and legal structuring matters. The firm frequently assists clients with trust frameworks, succession planning arrangements, and cross-border wealth planning strategies.

Its lawyers regularly advise families navigating complex legal issues affecting international asset ownership and family investment structures. Through its experience advising prominent private clients, Kingsley Napley continues to maintain a recognized role within the London private wealth legal community.

Stewarts

• Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
• Founded: 1990

Stewarts maintains a respected private client practice advising high-net-worth families and family offices on wealth structuring and governance matters. The firm frequently assists clients with trust arrangements, family governance frameworks, and legal structures designed to support the management of complex asset portfolios.

Its lawyers regularly advise families navigating international legal issues affecting private wealth structures and succession planning strategies. Stewarts continues to contribute to the broader private wealth legal ecosystem through its experience advising sophisticated private clients.

Wedlake Bell

• Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
• Founded: 1780

Wedlake Bell maintains a longstanding private client practice advising family offices and high-net-worth families on wealth structuring and governance frameworks. The firm frequently assists clients with trust arrangements, estate planning strategies, and legal structures supporting multi-generational wealth preservation.

Its lawyers regularly advise clients managing international property portfolios and diversified investment assets. Through its longstanding presence within the London legal community, Wedlake Bell continues to maintain a recognized position within the private wealth advisory sector.

Payne Hicks Beach

• Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
• Founded: 1770

Payne Hicks Beach maintains a respected private client practice advising high-net-worth families and family offices on wealth structuring and governance frameworks. The firm frequently assists clients with trust arrangements, succession planning strategies, and legal structures supporting international family wealth.

Its lawyers regularly advise families managing cross-border assets and long-term investment structures. Payne Hicks Beach’s longstanding focus on private client advisory work continues to reinforce its presence within the London private wealth legal sector.

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Tier III — Family Office Legal & Structuring Advisors

The Tier III category includes law firms maintaining recognized activity advising high-net-worth families and family offices on wealth governance and structuring matters.

These practices contribute to the private wealth legal ecosystem by assisting clients with trust arrangements, succession planning frameworks, and international family investment structures.

(Alphabetical order)

• Burges Salmon
• Collyer Bristow
• Maurice Turnor Gardner
• Penningtons Manches Cooper
• Stone King

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Remarks

Family office legal advisors continue to play a central role within the global private wealth management ecosystem. As family offices evolve into institutional investment organizations managing diversified global portfolios, the complexity of legal structuring and governance planning continues to increase.

Legal advisors supporting family offices frequently assist clients with designing governance frameworks, establishing international investment vehicles, and coordinating succession planning strategies capable of preserving family wealth across generations.

The firms recognized in this ranking represent legal practices whose expertise continues to influence the development of family office governance and wealth structuring frameworks within the international private wealth sector.

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