Best Law Firms in Each Practice Area

Not every firm is created equal. Find out how top firms stack up when it comes to specific practice areas.

Survey Methodology

In order to determine the Vault Practice Area Rankings, associates were able to vote for up to three firms in their own practice area, but were not permitted to vote for their own firm. Self-identified corporate associates were allowed to vote only in the corporate-related categories; litigators were allowed to vote in the litigation categories, and so on. Our rankings indicate the top firms in each area, as well as the total percentage of votes.
Ranking History
- 2012
- 2011
- 2010

2012 Best Law Firms in Each Practice Area

1 % OF VOTES 9.14	Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz Each year, a significant chunk of the world's dealmaking-major mergers and acquisitions, antitrust and shareholder litigation, big name restructurings,... Overview Survey Says Why Work Here Q&As	TRENDING 2011 Rank 1
2 % OF VOTES 8.74	Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP has been known as one of the nation's pre-eminent law firms for nearly 200 years. With industry-leading practices on both... Overview Survey Says Why Work Here	TRENDING 2011 Rank 2
3 % OF VOTES 8.44	Sullivan & Cromwell LLP A BigLaw powerhouse, Sullivan & Cromwell has been ranked in the AmLaw 100 since the rankings began in the 1980s and is a regular player on The... Overview Survey Says	TRENDING 2011 Rank 3
4 % OF VOTES 8.43	Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates Giant among Mortals Kind of like Oprah or Beyoncé, Skadden is a giant among mortals. Known by its one name, it sits atop its world, continuously... Overview Survey Says Why Work Here Q&As	TRENDING 2011 Rank 4
5 % OF VOTES 8.12	Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, founded in New York City more than 160 years ago, has finance in its DNA. The firm boasts one of the nation's best and... Overview Survey Says Why Work Here Q&As	TRENDING 2011 Rank 5

6 % OF VOTES 7.88	Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP Simpson Thacher & Bartlett is a Wall Street institution, housing elite teams in M&A, banking, capital markets and litigation. The firm is a bit... Overview Survey Says	TRENDING 2011 Rank 6
7 % OF VOTES 7.86	Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP A powerhouse in restructuring, M&A, private equity, and litigation, Weil, Gotshal & Manges has long been one of the world's leading law firms.... Overview Survey Says Why Work Here Q&As	TRENDING 2011 Rank 7
8 % OF VOTES 7.77	Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP With offices around the globe, one cannot deny Cleary Gottlieb's international scope. But don't call it a U.S. firm with overseas offices-this is an... Overview Survey Says Why Work Here Q&As	TRENDING 2011 Rank 9
9 % OF VOTES 7.50	Kirkland & Ellis LLP Kirkland & Ellis has a strong reputation in private equity, M&A and other complex corporate transactions, litigation, restructuring and... Overview Survey Says Why Work Here	TRENDING 2011 Rank 11
10 % OF VOTES 7.38	Covington & Burling LLP This "brain trust" law firm is known for quietly (and smartly) going about its business-that business being antitrust, litigation, corporate, IP, and... Overview Survey Says	TRENDING 2011 Rank 10

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