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 Law Firms for Media, Entertainment, & Sports

% of Votes 27.27

2020 Rank 1

Proskauer Rose LLP

Proskauer Rose is practically synonymous with “sports law”—clients include Major League Baseball, the National Football League, the National Hockey League, and the National Basketball Association. Although flashy, this reputation shortchanges...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program

% of Votes 26.74

2020 Rank 2

O'Melveny & Myers LLP

Long rooted in California—where it maintains a quintet of offices—O’Melveny & Myers has branched out in all directions with offices in seven countries on three continents. The firm is known for its work in antitrust, appellate litigation,...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program

% of Votes 25.13

2020 Rank 3

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP

Founded in 1908, Davis Wright Tremaine has worked with small clients as well as those of Fortune 500 stature, with a focus on litigation, entertainment, environmental, intellectual property, and employment law. Today, the firm has more than...

Overview Employee Reviews

% of Votes 16.04

2020 Rank 4

Loeb & Loeb LLP

Storied California firm Loeb & Loeb’s primary claim to fame is its renowned entertainment and media practice, though its multi-service offerings include nationally recognized practices in the areas of advertising and marketing, technology,...

Overview Associate Reviews

% of Votes 14.97

2020 Rank 5

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 12.30

2020 Rank 9

Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC

Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz boasts a team of nearly 100 attorneys who represent a star-studded client list. With its heart in the entertainment industry, the firm serves clients from its two offices in New York and Los Angeles. The...

Overview Employee Reviews

% of Votes 12.30

2020 Rank 6

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP was founded in 1965 in Los Angeles and has grown to 450 attorneys and consultants across 10 U.S. offices. With five offices in the Golden State, Manatt is a West Coast force, especially in its native LA. Today,...

Overview Employee Reviews

% of Votes 10.16

2020 Rank 8

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP

With more than 1,355 attorneys across 10 countries, Gibson Dunn & Crutcher is a force. Among the top firms in the country, Gibson Dunn is well known for its litigation and trial work—especially its bustling appellate litigation and...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Summer Program

% of Votes 9.63

2020 Rank 7

Greenberg Traurig, LLP

Greenberg Traurig, LLP counts among its clients some of the biggest names in information technology, energy, entertainment, telecommunications, real estate, financial services, and health care. With over two dozen offices worldwide, an...

Overview Associate Reviews Summer Program

#10

% of Votes 9.09

2020 Rank 10

Irell & Manella LLP

A Southern California powerhouse for more than 75 years, Irell & Manella matches or exceeds its multinational peers in salary, prestige, and high-stakes cases, serving clients worldwide from only two locations in Los Angeles and Newport...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Summer Program