[5] It is regarded as forming part of the "Silver Circle" of leading UK law firms.

[3] In 1894 Neish was joined in partnership by John Embleton Macfarlane and the firm moved to premises in Watling Street.

[13] In July 2012 Macfarlanes advised Stanhope, backed by Mitsui Fudosan UK and the Alberta Investment Management Corporation, on its purchase of the BBC Television Centre.

[20] In recognition of the firm's efforts to widen its talent pool and improve access to the legal profession,[21] Macfarlanes won Best Social Mobility Strategy at the targetjobs National Graduate Recruitment Awards 2023.

[22] Macfarlanes is among the firms operating a 'pass-first time' policy for training contract students sitting the SQE.