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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 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 Project Finance

#1

% of Votes 29.28

2020 Rank 1

Milbank LLP

Milbank LLP is one of the nation’s leading firms for corporate finance and restructuring, litigation, and project finance and is known for its international work and focus on the energy sector. Embracing Change Milbank planted its roots in...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program

#2

% of Votes 25.84

2020 Rank 2

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

#3

% of Votes 22.16

2020 Rank 3

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates

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

#4

% of Votes 14.79

2020 Rank 5

Sullivan & Cromwell LLP

A BigLaw powerhouse, Sullivan & Cromwell has followed—if not created—the blueprint for legal success: It has grown internationally and in response to the increasing cross-border M&A, restructuring, and finance transactional demands of...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program

#5

% of Votes 14.61

2020 Rank 4

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 8 in the U.S.—and is well known for its experience handling...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program

#6

% of Votes 12.55

2020 Rank 7

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

A Wall Street institution, Simpson Thacher houses elite teams in M&A, banking, capital markets, private equity, and litigation. With more than 900 lawyers across 10 global offices, Simpson Thacher has long held its spot among the most elite...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program

#7

% of Votes 11.67

2020 Rank 6

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP boasts one of the nation’s best and most comprehensive corporate departments, with impressive teams in capital markets, M&A, finance, restructuring, and tax. Its lauded litigation practice includes top-notch...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program

#8

% of Votes 11.30

2020 Rank 8

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP

Cleary Gottlieb 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...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program

#9

% of Votes 9.49

2020 Rank 10

Norton Rose Fulbright LLP

With around 1,000 lawyers based in the U.S. and another 3,000 around the globe, Norton Rose Fulbright is a legal force. The firm has dozens of offices across six continents, the firm is particularly well known for its energy practice. Teaming...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program

#10

% of Votes 7.80

2020 Rank 10

Shearman & Sterling

Shearman & Sterling is one of the world’s leading law firms, serving the domestic and cross-border needs of an impressive roster of clients. With approximately 850 lawyers in 24 offices across North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America, and...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program

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