Choosing the right matters: what makes a legal directory submission stand out

Learn how to identify and present matters that demonstrate legal expertise, complexity and market significance in legal directory submissions.

4 mins read

One of the biggest challenges law firms face when preparing legal directories is deciding which publishable matters to include. Every year, firms ask the same question: Is this matter good enough for Chambers, Legal 500 or IFLR1000?

Many assume that the largest transaction, highest-value dispute or biggest client will automatically make the strongest submission. In reality, that is rarely the case.

Researchers are not looking for size alone. They want evidence of legal expertise, complexity, innovation and market significance. The strongest matter descriptions demonstrate not only what happened, but why it mattered and what role the firm played in achieving the outcome.

So what makes a matter publishable?

Complexity matters more than size

The value of a transaction or dispute does not determine whether it deserves a place in a submission.

A CHF50 million transaction involving multiple jurisdictions, novel regulatory issues and complex negotiations may be considerably more compelling than a straightforward CHF5 billion financing completed using standard documentation.

Likewise, in contentious matters, the legal issues, strategic considerations and procedural complexity are often far more persuasive than the amount in dispute.

When assessing whether a matter is suitable, consider questions such as:

• Did it involve particularly complex legal issues?
• Were there unusual commercial or regulatory challenges?
• Did the team develop an innovative solution?
• Was the work technically demanding?

Researchers are interested in legal excellence, not simply impressive figures.

Clearly explain the firm’s role

One of the most common weaknesses in directory submissions is failing to explain what the firm actually did.

For example:

Acted for Company X on its acquisition of Company Y.

This provides very little insight into the firm’s expertise.

A stronger description might read:

Advised Company X on the acquisition of Company Y, including structuring the transaction, obtaining multi-jurisdictional regulatory approvals, negotiating complex shareholder arrangements and coordinating the closing across five jurisdictions.

The aim is to demonstrate the legal expertise provided, rather than simply identifying the client and transaction.

Innovation helps matters stand out

Researchers are naturally drawn to matters that demonstrate originality or involve emerging legal issues.

Consider whether the matter included:

• first-of-their-kind structures
• new legislation or regulatory developments
• innovative financing arrangements
• complex negotiations
• novel legal arguments
• cross-border coordination
• emerging technologies or industries

Innovation does not necessarily require creating new law. Often, it is about developing practical legal solutions to challenging commercial problems.

These are the matters that researchers are most likely to remember.

Demonstrate market significance

Every matter description should answer a simple question:

Why is this important?

Market significance can take many forms.

Perhaps the transaction established a market precedent, involved a leading industry participant, represented one of the largest deals in the sector, or reflected a significant regulatory development. It may also demonstrate the firm’s leadership in a particular practice area or showcase expertise within an emerging industry.

Providing this context helps researchers understand why the matter deserves recognition.

Confidential does not mean unusable

Many firms hesitate to include confidential matters in submissions.

In practice, confidentiality rarely prevents a matter from being included.

Most matters can be described without identifying the client while still highlighting the legal issues, industry sector and complexity involved.

For example:

Advised a leading European private equity investor on the acquisition of a Swiss healthcare business involving cross-border regulatory approvals and complex financing arrangements.

This provides researchers with meaningful information while respecting client confidentiality.

Directory researchers understand that confidentiality is often unavoidable and are accustomed to assessing anonymised matters.

Tell a story rather than listing facts

The strongest matter descriptions do more than describe a transaction or dispute.

They explain:

• The challenge faced by the client
• The legal approach adopted by the firm
• The outcome achieved
• Why the matter is significant

This narrative structure allows researchers to understand both the complexity of the work and the value delivered to the client.

Given that researchers review hundreds of submissions during each research cycle, a well-structured, engaging matter description is far more memorable than a list of technical facts.

Final thoughts

Selecting the right matters is one of the most important aspects of any legal directory submission.

A publishable matter is not necessarily the largest transaction or highest-value dispute. Rather, it is one that clearly demonstrates legal expertise, complexity, innovation and market significance, while explaining the firm’s role in achieving a successful outcome.

Ultimately, every matter included in a submission should answer one fundamental question:

Does this demonstrate why the firm deserves to be recognised?

If the answer is yes, it is likely to be a publishable matter.