Search top law firms that have been featured in ALM’s premiere rankings such as the Am Law 200, NLJ 500, Global 200 and UK 50. Dig deeper for a comprehensive look at each firm’s background, rankings, and analysis.
FAQs
What is the #1 law firm in America? ›
According to the National Law Journal's 2023 NLJ 500 ranking of firms based on size, Baker McKenzie has 4779 attorneys and is ranked 1st in the United States. With $3,286,791,000 gross revenue in 2023, the firm placed 4th on The American Lawyer's 2024 Am Law 200 ranking.
What is the most elite law firm in the world? ›Top Law Firms by Prestige
Attorneys responded to the most recent survey between January and March 2023, and the results of the poll rank the following as the top five most prestigious firms in the world for 2024: Cravath, Swaine & Moore. Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. Skadden.
A Martindale-Hubbell Rating is one of the criteria that lawyers and clients use to evaluate an attorney when retaining a lawyer, or simply researching the background of co-counsel or opposing counsel.
Who is the most powerful law firm? ›Kirkland & Ellis
With $7,208,000,000 gross revenue in 2023, the firm placed 1st on The American Lawyer's 2024 Am Law 200 ranking. On the 2023 Global 200 survey, Kirkland & Ellis ranked as the 1st highest grossing law firm in the world. ...
Rankings overview for Departments
- Loeb & Loeb LLP 8 Years Ranked.
- McDermott Will & Emery LLP 8 Years Ranked.
- Withers Bergman LLP 6 Years Ranked.
The Magic Circle refers to five prestigious and multinational London-headquartered law firms. They are Allen & Overy; Clifford Chance; Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer; Linklaters; and Slaughter and May.
What type of lawyer makes the most money? ›As of 2024, the top five highest paid types of lawyers are:
- Patent Attorneys.
- Intellectual property (IP) Attorneys.
- Trial Lawyers.
- Tax Attorneys.
- Corporate Lawyers.
Feb 19, 2024
At the very bottom of the law firm hierarchy are the summer associates. These roles can also be referred to as summer clerks, law clerks, or interns. Individuals in these roles are law students who work with the firm during the summer months or any length of time where they might be off from law school.
What is the highest rank of a lawyer? ›The managing partner sits atop the law firm's hierarchy. In this role, the managing partner lays out a vision for the firm, then develops the strategic plan to achieve that goal. The managing partner dictates the firm's finances, including determining overall compensation packages and overhead costs.
Is being a lawyer considered prestigious? ›Being a lawyer typically includes the benefit of having a certain level of prestige that affords you certain benefits that other employees may not receive (i.e. office, ability to set hours, expense accounts, decorating budget, etc.).
What is the most prestigious US law firm? ›
Although Cravath stayed on top, this year, there was some movement when it came to the Top 10 in the rankings. Here are the Top 10 Most Prestigious Law Firms based on Vault's Annual Associate Survey for 2024: Cravath, Swaine & Moore. Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz.
What is the nickname for the top law firms? ›The term "Magic Circle" denoted that the firms within it had outperformed the other Club of Nine counterparts. At the time, these firms were Allen & Overy, Clifford Chance, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Linklaters, and Slaughter and May.
How prestigious are Kirkland and Ellis? ›About the Firm
Kirkland & Ellis, one of the world's most elite law firms, is known for its corporate, intellectual property, litigation, M&A, private equity, and restructuring work. With more than 3,500 lawyers, the firm is regularly recognized as one of the most successful in the world.
America's 350 Largest Law Firms
| No. | Law Firm | Base Office |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baker McKenzie LLP | Chicago |
| 2 | DLA Piper LLP | New York |
| 3 | Norton Rose Fulbright LLP | New York |
The 2024 salary survey
| Firm | 1st year salary | 2nd year salary |
|---|---|---|
| Linklaters | $225,000 | $225,000 |
| Mayer Brown | $225,000 | $235,000 |
| McDermott | $225,000 | $235,000 |
| Milbank | $225,000 | $235,000 |
Kirkland & Ellis retains its dominance as the strongest Big Law firm brand and increasingly looks unassailable in its no. 1 positioning. The headline story is the top ten takeover by a group of super-profitable US-headquartered and increasingly global firms displacing the UK-headquartered global firms.
What was the first law firm in the United States? ›Rawle & Henderson, LLP, the oldest law firm in the United States, was founded by William Rawle in Philadelphia in 1783.