Litigation Spending Trends and Key Law Firms

This report outlines the findings of BTI Consulting Group's Litigation Outlook 2024, identifying four law firms—Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP, Jones Day, Kirkland & Ellis LLP, and Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP—as the most feared by general counsel and legal decision-makers. The report indicates that litigation spending is projected to increase by 5.8% to $28.1 billion in 2024, reversing a previous trend. It highlights that over half of companies plan to increase their litigation budgets, with employment litigation expected to see the largest dollar increase. The report also notes that cybersecurity and privacy spending will rise significantly due to heightened awareness of data breaches. Additionally, it discusses the shift in client strategies, where companies are now more willing to engage new firms for both aggressive defense and settlement negotiations. The document emphasizes the evolving landscape of litigation and the factors influencing client decisions in selecting legal counsel.