My first engagement as a consultant was with a Tier 2 Banking & Finance firm looking to move into Tier 1, feel free to read the Case Study here. We achieved this at the first attempt and, since then, we’ve helped a number of global practices secure promotions, from the UK through to the UAE. As such, here's some high-level points we can offer when submitting to this space:

• Scope first. Assess the scope of the Banking & Finance table for your jurisdiction. Larger jurisdictions may split coverage into separate lender- and borrower-side tables, while smaller ones may include Capital Markets within Banking & Finance. Regulatory and FinTech work may also be eligible if there are no dedicated sections.

• Know what’s in-bounds. Given the variables, make sure you understand exactly what work is considered before drafting.

• Show breadth of expertise. When selecting workload, aim to demonstrate a broad spread. If your highlights are largely real estate finance, the researcher will likely penalise this. Higher-ranked submissions usually span several fields: high-end corporate, acquisition, project, real estate, asset and fund financings, among others.

• Lean into niche strengths. If you have expertise in Islamic finance or ESG-linked transactions, include it—it’s a plus.

• You don’t need every box ticked. You’re not required to cover everything, but avoid creating the impression of a narrow practice.

• Quantify value. Include as many high-value financings as possible and state the deal values, even on a confidential basis. If you have a $1bn transaction but mark it “undisclosed,” you’re leaving points on the table. (Deal values are not required for advisory or regulatory work.)

• Evidence complexity. Beyond value, prioritise transactions with cross-border elements or particularly complex/novel structures. Use the write-ups to explain why each matter was complex; don’t rely solely on a big-name client or headline value. Clearly convey both complexities and significance. It's quite common to see multiple firms in a jurisdiction engaged by the biggest banks so you really want to showcase that they specifically come to you for their standout instructions.

• Re-include live matters (with updates). Directories understand that major financings often span cycles. Re-submit contemporary matters from the previous submission with relevant updates.

• Show client breadth. The highest ranked firms will typically act for a mixture high-end domestic and international borrowers/lenders. Have a look at the published clients lists of your fellow ranked firms as a gauge for how you might compare.