In the latest episode of Crespect Talks, host Karolina Šilingienė explored a question many law firm leaders and marketers ask each year: Are legal directories worth the effort, or are they just a prestige-driven exercise?
With expert guests Jurgita Meškauskaitė-Cilliers, former Research Manager at Chambers and Partners, and Stephen Revell, international law firm consultant and IBA Law Firm Management Committee Officer, this conversation delivered real talk – and practical advice – about the often-frustrating submissions process and how to get it right.
Why Legal Directories Matter
Jurgita opened with a clear message: despite the grumbling, legal directories remain a critical market signal in many regions. In jurisdictions with limited legal marketing options or little transparency around law firm performance, rankings provide structure and visibility.
Stephen added that, for most firms, participating in directories is not optional – especially if your competitors are doing it. Failing to show up is a missed opportunity in terms of credibility and visibility.
Strategic Process – Not a Last-Minute Panic
Both experts agreed: if you’re going to participate, do it well.
Stephen warned against half-hearted submissions:
“The biggest danger is to engage in a half-hearted manner and then be upset with the result. If it’s important to you, do it well.”
Jurgita emphasized having a system in place well ahead of deadlines. The strongest firms track deals throughout the year – not just during the submission season.
Referee Feedback Is Non-Negotiable
One of the most valuable insights came from Jurgita:
“If you don’t have referee feedback, you’re not going to get ranked in Chambers.”
Client references are not just a checkbox – they are the backbone of your submission’s credibility. Without thoughtful selection and proactive outreach, even the most well-written submission may go nowhere.
Stephen also highlighted the reputational risk of careless referee selection: without a prior conversation, you risk silence – or worse, negative feedback.
Law Firms Need a Clear Rankings Strategy
Stephen noted that smart firms treat rankings as a firm-wide strategic priority – not just a marketing task. Leadership should decide which practice areas are crucial to be ranked in and allocate resources accordingly.
This also means being realistic – don’t submit in categories where the firm has limited experience just to appear more competitive.
How Crespect Can Help
Karolina closed the session by showcasing how Crespect supports the entire rankings process:
- Track and store deal data in real-time
- Link contacts, practice areas, and sectors to each submission
- Reuse and recycle descriptions for future submissions or client proposals
With Crespect, law firms can eliminate submission chaos and focus on building a repeatable, strategic rankings approach.
Missed the episode?
You can watch it on Crespect’s YouTube channel or find key highlights across our blog and LinkedIn.
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