By Robert Ambrogi on
In the six years that Vault.com has surveyed the nation’s most prestigious law firms, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz has been the perennial also-ran, ranking second each year to first-place finisher Cravath, Swaine & Moore. This year, that changed, with Wachtell nudging Cravath out of first place.
Based on a survey of nearly 12,000 associates at more than 100 large law firms, Vault.com today released its annual list of the most prestigious law firms in the U.S., along with its lists of the best 20 law firms to work for and the best 20 law firms for diversity.
The top firms, ranked by prestige, are:
1. Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
2. Cravath, Swaine & Moore
3. Sullivan & Cromwell
4. Davis Polk & Wardwell
5. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
6. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
7. Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton
8. Covington & Burling
9. Latham & Watkins
10. Weil, Gotshal & Manges
The best to work for are:
1. Winston & Strawn
2. Morrison & Foerster
3. Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
4. Ropes & Gray
5. Davis Polk & Wardwell
6. Jenkens & Gilchrist
7. Alston & Bird
8. Haynes and Boone
9. Debevoise & Plimpton
10. Jenner & Block
The top ranking firms for diversity are:
1. Morrison & Foerster
2. Jenner & Block
3. Arent Fox Kintner Plotkin & Kahn
4. Arnold & Porte
5. Davis Polk & Wardwell
6. Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner
7. Winston & Strawn
8. Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton
9. Powell, Goldstein, Frazer & Murphy
10. Preston Gates & Ellis
The complete, 744-page report, Vault Guide to the Top 100 Law Firms, 6th Edition, can be purchased for $34.95.
