Eversheds has topped the latest table of quarterly rankings from investment adviser Hemscott . The firm advises more stock market clients than any other law firm according to these results. Nearly all the firms featured in Hemscott’s rankings saw client numbers fall in the most recent three-month period surveyed. According to Hemscott :

Eversheds clings to the lead it grabbed dramatically three months ago despite losing five of the nine gains it made between August and November. Norton Rose LLP , down two, and Slaughter and May , down one, could have at least shared the honour had they been able to hold their own in the latest period. As it is they share second place just one client behind Eversheds.

Herbert Smith in seventh place is the highest ranked law firm to hold steady this time while in the bottom half of the table single gains are recorded by Carey Olsen, a rising star with gains in all four quarters since joining this table a year ago, and by Freshfields.

Three additions to the list this time are Howard Kennedy, Maclay and SJ Berwin LLP .

Linklaters retains leadership of the market caps and profits tables, in both cases ahead of Herbert Smith .

So there you have it…