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.

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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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2021 Best Intellectual Property Boutique Law Firms

% of Votes 25.99

2020 Rank 1

Desmarais LLP

In 2010, John Desmarais left a successful patent litigation practice with Kirkland & Ellis to hang his own shingle with some of his former Kirkland colleagues. The result was Desmarais LLP, now a successful and expanding mid-sized law firm...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As

% of Votes 24.45

2020 Rank 2

McKool Smith

McKool Smith is a trial firm with a reputation for victory in the courtroom in “bet-the-company” cases and beyond. With seven offices coast-to-coast, the firm’s experienced trial attorneys represent both plaintiffs and defendants in commercial...

Overview Employee Reviews Summer Program

% of Votes 22.52

2020 Rank 3

Durie Tangri LLP

Durie Tangri is a hot shot IP boutique with an impressive resume when it comes to copyrights, trademarks, and patents. But the firm is also a litigation powerhouse, specializing in professional liability, contract and commercial, class action,...

Overview Employee Reviews Summer Program

% of Votes 20.40

2020 Rank 5

Banner Witcoff

Chicago-based IP boutique firm Banner Witcoff is unique not only for its status as a top firm in its field, but also for its role in shaping IP law by having represented defendants in groundbreaking Supreme Court cases. The firm—which has...

Overview Associate Reviews Summer Program

% of Votes 19.54

2020 Rank 4

Keker, Van Nest & Peters LLP

Headquartered in San Francisco and just over 100 attorneys strong, Keker, Van Nest, & Peters is known for handling major intellectual property disputes for some of the country's leading names in technology. The firm also has a reputation for...

Overview Employee Reviews Summer Program

% of Votes 13.57

2020 Rank 6

Wolf, Greenfield & Sacks, P.C.

One of the most reputable firms in Boston, Wolf Greenfield has made a name for itself as an IP powerhouse. With just under 100 attorneys, Wolf Greenfield is known for its work in patent litigation on technology matters. The firm has kept to the...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program

% of Votes 12.42

2020 Rank 6

Oblon, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt, L.L.P.

Virginia-based IP boutique Oblon, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt, L.L.P. has one foot in the United States and one in Japan, and both are strategically placed. The firm’s U.S. office in Alexandria, Virginia is located next to the USPTO, and...

Overview Employee Reviews

% of Votes 10.68

2020 Rank 8

Sughrue Mion PLLC

Intellectual property boutique firm Sughrue Mion has obtained more U.S. patents than any other firm. With a top-notch litigation practice; one of the largest full-service trademark practices in the country; and wide-ranging expertise in patent...

Overview Employee Reviews Summer Program

% of Votes 8.76

2020 Rank 10

Brinks Gilson Lione

Brinks Gilson & Lione is an intellectual property shop headquartered in Chicago, where it sits atop the skyline’s familiar NBC tower. From biotechnology to international trademark law to trade secrets, Brinks has earned a reputation as one...

Overview Employee Reviews

#10

% of Votes 7.89

2020 Rank 12

McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP

McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff is an intellectual property law firm with offices in Illinois, California, and North Carolina. The firm's client list includes Fortune 100 companies, mid-size companies, start-ups, and academic...

Overview Associate Reviews