"I started this law firm in 1986 with four lawyers. I've seen it grow from four lawyers to 725," says John Quinn, managing partner of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan.

Quinn Emanuel's name has become synonymous with rapid growth, and after yet more double-digit increases in both revenue and partner profits during 2016, news emerged last week that it had held talks about a potential merger with Washington DC litigation firm Williams & Connolly.