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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 2022 Rankings are derived from Vault's Annual Associate Survey conducted from March 2021 through May 2021.
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 2022 Rankings are derived from Vault's Annual Associate Survey conducted from March 2021 through May 2021.

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Each year Vault invites eligible law firms to participate in our annual Law Survey. Please contact us if you’re interested in having your firm considered for inclusion.

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2022 Best Law Firms for International Practice

#1
% of Votes 39.65
2021 Rank 1

White & Case LLP

Founded at the dawn of the 20th century, White & Case has grown from its New York beginnings to become a truly global law firm. The firm has 44 offices across 30 countries—including eight in the U.S.—and is well known for its experience...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program
#2
% of Votes 32.38
2021 Rank 2

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP

For more than 250 years, Freshfields has remained a constant at the top of the U.K. and European legal market. With 27 international offices, the firm has expanded its reach around the globe and recently has become a player in the United States...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program
#3
% of Votes 15.42
2021 Rank 3

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP

Cleary is a leading global law firm, with offices on four continents and an unparalleled reputation for groundbreaking work. While long known as a dominant player in the international and corporate business world, Cleary has built out both...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program
#4
% of Votes 13.22
2021 Rank 7

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

Debevoise & Plimpton ranks as one of New York’s most powerful law firms, representing high-profile clients in transactions and disputes in established and emerging markets around the world. The firm’s core franchise practices include...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Summer Program
#4
% of Votes 13.22
2021 Rank 4

Skadden

Skadden is one of the most profitable and well-known law firms in the world. It was the first law firm to report $1 billion in annual revenue—now an industry brass ring. While the firm may be best known for its M&A prowess, it is an all-star...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program
#6
% of Votes 11.45
2021 Rank 8

Covington & Burling

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
#6
% of Votes 11.45
2021 Rank 5

Latham & Watkins

Latham is one of the world’s largest law firms. With more than 3,000 attorneys in 29 offices around the world, Latham practices in all the major jurisdictions in the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia and regularly represents companies...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program
#8
% of Votes 10.57
2021 Rank 15

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 West Coast and Northeastern firms a run for their money. With stellar...

Overview Associate Reviews Summer Program
#9
% of Votes 10.35
2021 Rank 11

Baker McKenzie

Baker McKenzie takes “global” to another level with dozens of offices spanning every continent. The firm’s geographic and practice-area diversification has enabled it to ride out financial storms while outrunning a legion of BigLaw competitors....

Overview Associate Reviews Summer Program
#10
% of Votes 10.13
2021 Rank 8

Hogan Lovells

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
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