9. Weil, Gotshal & Manges
(up from #10)
Website: https://www.weil.com
Weil is best known for its M&A, litigation and restructuring practices. It has received countless accolades, including, most recently, “IP Firm of the Year” at the Benchmark Litigation U.S. Awards and “Dealmaker of the Year” by The American Lawyer. It ranks among Vault’s Top 10 most prestigious firms in 2018 and has been featured as a Law360 Practice Group of the Year in four areas, including antitrust and securities.
10. Kirkland & Ellis
(down from #8)
Website: https://www.kirkland.com
Kirkland & Ellis is most recognized for its work in private equity, M&A, government investigations, bankruptcy, restructuring and intellectual property. The firm has ranked #1 for global and U.S. buyouts by deal volume every year since 2011 by Mergermarket and placed second in Am Law’s 100 in 2017. It consistently ranks among Corporate Board Member’s Top 25 America’s Best Corporate Law Firms.
11. Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher
(steady at #11)
Website: https://www.gibsondunn.com
Gibson Dunn ranks among the top 10 most prestigious law firms, according to Vault’s annual rankings. In the U.S., the firm is best known for its litigation practice, which has been named the top “Litigation Department of the Year” by The American Lawyer in three of its biannual rankings. The firm also came in second place on the magazine’s A-List, which measures firms’ ability to balance financial success with associate satisfaction, pro bono commitment and diversity.
12. Sidley Austin
(steady at #12)
Website: https://www.sidley.com/en/us/
Sidley Austin boasts a rich historical list of clients, including former first lady Mary Todd Lincoln and the Western Union Telegraph Co., which later developed into AT&T. The firm is well regarded for its securities and international trade practices, as well as its work in litigation, regulatory and M&A transactions.
13. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
(up from #14)
Website: https://www.wsgr.com/WSGR/Default.aspx
Wilson Sonsini has built its reputation advising the tech and life sciences industries, as well as banks and venture capitalists. The firm is known for its deep roots in the tech sector, particularly with regard to its work with IPOs and mergers. Some of the firm’s clients include Amazon.com, Expedia, Google, Hewlett-Packard, LinkedIn, Netflix, Tesla, Twitter and Salesforce.com.
14. Hogan Lovells
(up from #18)
Website: https://www.hoganlovells.com
Hogan Lovells specializes in government regulation, litigation and arbitration; corporate finance; and intellectual property. The firm has ranked in the top 10 of both the National Law Journal’s NLJ 500 and The Am Law 200 for several years. While it had been featured multiple times in the top 25 law firms in our annual GC ranking, Hogan Lovells made its debut on corporate directors’ top 25 list in 2017 and has already moved up four spots.
15. Baker McKenzie
(down from #13)
Website: https://www.bakermckenzie.com/en
Known for its international footprint, Baker McKenzie is one of the largest law firms in the world, with offices in nearly 50 countries. For the past three years, it ranked #1 on the NLJ 500 and #2 on American Lawyer’s Global 100. It was most recently named among the top 10 Most Innovative Law Firms in North America by the Financial Times and as one of the law firms clients recommend most by BTI Consulting.
16. Morgan, Lewis & Bockius
(up from #20)
Website: https://www.morganlewis.com
Morgan Lewis is best known for its expertise in litigation; labor and employment; employee benefits; intellectual property; and regulatory areas. The firm has served as tax counsel to U.S. President Donald Trump and the Trump Organization since 2005. Earlier this year, it was named one of the top 10 U.S. law firm brands by Acritas Research Ltd.
