Best Law Firms by Practice Area

These firms were voted strongest in each practice area by associates working in that area at peer firms. Vault's 2021 Rankings are derived from Vault's Annual Associate Survey conducted between late January 2020 through early April 2020.

Survey Methodology

Each year, Vault ranks law firms in a variety of practice areas based on the perceptions of associates practicing in those areas. Associates were asked to vote for up to three firms they consider strongest in their practice areas and were not permitted to vote for their own firms. For example, associates who identified themselves as corporate attorneys were allowed only to vote in corporate-related categories (securities, financial services, etc.). Our rankings list the top firms in each area, as well as the total percentage of votes cast in favor of each ranked firm.

Vault ranked the following practice areas this year: Antitrust; Appellate Litigation; Banking & Financial Services; Bankruptcy/Restructuring; Clean Tech/Renewable Energy; Emerging Companies/VC; Energy, Oil, & Gas; Environmental Law; General Commercial Litigation; General Corporate Practice; Health Care; Intellectual Property; Intellectual Property Boutiques; International; Labor & Employment; Litigation Boutiques; M&A; Media, Entertainment, & Sports; Privacy & Data Security; Private Equity; Products Liability; Project Finance; Real Estate; Securities; Securities Litigation; Tax; and White Collar Defense & Internal Investigations.

Vault's 2021 Rankings are derived from Vault's Annual Associate Survey conducted between late January 2020 through early April 2020.

2021 Best Law Firms for Health Care

% of Votes 42.86

2020 Rank 1

McDermott Will & Emery

A Chicago institution since the 1930s, McDermott Will & Emery has, in recent decades, broadened its gaze to new markets in the United States and abroad. The strategy has paid off in spades, with McDermott firmly ensconced among the world’s...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program

% of Votes 20.21

2020 Rank 4

Ropes & Gray LLP

With more than 11 offices across the U.S., Europe, and Asia, Ropes & Gray is an international firm that prides itself in handling cutting-edge work. A regular atop legal industry rankings, the firm is adept at assisting clients in complex,...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program

% of Votes 19.86

2020 Rank 5

King & Spalding LLP

Over its 130-year history, King & Spalding has branched far from its Southern roots to open offices across the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, giving Left Coast and Yankee firms a run for their money. With stellar corporate...

Overview Associate Reviews Summer Program

% of Votes 19.16

2020 Rank 2

Epstein Becker & Green, P.C.

With founding offices in Washington, DC and New York, Epstein Becker & Green has grown nationally and developed a reputation for its notable health care and labor and employment law practices. The Great Triumvirate In 1973, Steven...

Overview Associate Reviews

% of Votes 18.47

2020 Rank 3

Hogan Lovells US LLP

Hogan Lovells is a global megafirm with more than 50 offices in the United States, Europe, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. The firm boasts more than 2,800 lawyers, making it one of the largest firms around. The Making of a...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Summer Program

% of Votes 15.33

2020 Rank 6

Polsinelli PC

Polsinelli is an AmLaw 100 firm with around 900 attorneys across 21 offices. As a full-service firm, it has an especially strong reputation in practices like health care, labor and employment, real estate, and IP law. Small Midwest Start ...

Overview Employee Reviews

% of Votes 11.15

2020 Rank 7

Covington & Burling LLP

This “brain trust” law firm is known for quietly (and smartly) going about its business—that business being antitrust, litigation, white collar defense & investigations, corporate, IP, export controls, data privacy and cybersecurity, and...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Summer Program

% of Votes 10.45

2020 Rank 13

Latham & Watkins LLP

Latham is one of the world’s largest law firms, a bona fide member of the clique that includes the Magic Circle and the elite U.S. heritage firms. With more than 2,800 attorneys in 29 offices around the world, Latham practices in all the major...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program

% of Votes 10.45

2020 Rank 8

Sidley Austin LLP

Sidley is a global powerhouse, with approximately 2,000 lawyers across 20 offices. The firm boasts a long list of marquee clients in a range of industries, including banking, energy, health care, insurance, life sciences, and technology. The...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program

#10

% of Votes 9.41

2020 Rank 8

Foley & Lardner LLP

While Foley & Lardner handles a wide range of business matters, the majority of the firm’s major clients come from the automotive, energy, health care, life sciences, and technology fields. With an excellent health care practice and a client...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Summer Program

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