Daniela Lavinia Cudrici argues that law firms in the United Arab Emirates should separate awards from directory rankings when they decide where to invest in recognition. In a commentary published on 4 September 2026, she asks what firms are actually trying to achieve when they collect it.
Her starting point is the audience. Being well known inside an existing network is valuable and rests on relationships, referrals and local reputation. A firm that wants cross-border work, however, needs to be recognised by the international market it is trying to reach — and that, in her view, is where Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 differ from award schemes. Rankings draw on research, client and market feedback and the substance of the work; awards can be shaped more heavily by the submission itself.
Chambers and Co. since 2004.
Cudrici sets out several reasons why firms stay away from rankings: unfamiliarity with the process, the perception that submissions are administrative exercises, and the absence of a dedicated business development or marketing function. She also notes that strong lawyers, strong clients and significant matters do not by themselves make a firm known outside its own network.
On the recurring objection — whether being ranked brings in clients — she is deliberately non-committal. A ranking replaces neither relationships nor business development and guarantees no instructions; what it offers is credible recognition in markets where a firm is not yet known. Her closing point is that the aim is not to be recognised everywhere, but “recognised where it matters”.
For detailed information, as well as the picture copyright, please see the law firm’s original article here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/awards-rankings-recognition-what-uae-law-firms-really-cudrici-qnude/
