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 2025 Rankings are derived from Vault's Annual Associate Survey conducted between January 2024 through March 2024.
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2025 Best Law Firms for Labor & Employment Law
Littler Mendelson P.C.
Labor and employment law is Littler Mendelson’s forte, and it dominates on an international scale. The firm has a massive footprint, with more than 1,500 attorneys across 58 offices nationwide and 36 abroad. Littler exclusively represents management, but its clients come in all sizes and industries, from Fortune 500 corporations to small, single-office businesses. The firm has also received a number of awards for its diversity initiatives and is known for offering its clients innovative solutions.
36.78% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#1
Jackson Lewis P.C.
Jackson Lewis specializes in the labor and employment law arena, and, with more than 950 attorneys, the firm has become one of the largest providers of employment law services in the nation. The firm also RISEs to the occasion when it comes to providing targeted mentoring. The firm's mentoring program, RISE, is focused on ensuring that all associates at the firm have equal access to mentoring and is tailored by associate level.
32.35% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#2
Ogletree Deakins
Ogletree Deakins is a labor & employment powerhouse, representing a range of clients from small businesses to Fortune 50 companies. The firm’s work—which is not limited to labor & employment—is fast-paced and interesting for its attorneys. Founded by 16 attorneys in the Southern U.S., Ogletree Deakins has grown in both size and footprint over the last 40-plus years and is now home to over 900 attorneys in 53 offices worldwide.
32.35% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#3
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
A top firm for labor and employment work, Morgan Lewis has an expansive worldwide reach across 30+ offices. The firm attracts those who want to give back via pro bono work—20 hours are required for bonus eligibility—and who are seeking a nonhierarchical culture with ample transparency. Boasting an army of over 2,000 attorneys nationwide and worldwide, Morgan Lewis provides a wealth of opportunities to work on diverse and high-stakes matters in the firm’s core practice areas.
31.20% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#4
Seyfarth
Known best for its extensive experience in labor and employment, Seyfarth Shaw is a big firm that offers its lawyers tremendous opportunities to take the reins. Friendly colleagues and the opportunity to work on cutting-edge matters create a team-oriented atmosphere and a supportive environment for attorneys to develop their careers. Attorneys seeking a firm that offers a unique combination of autonomy and collaboration will fit in well here.
16.42% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#5
Proskauer Rose LLP
Proskauer Rose is an all-around legal powerhouse, including a top-ranked media, entertainment, and sports practice and nationally recognized labor and employment and investment funds practices. Pro bono is part of the firm’s lifeblood, as is a strong commitment to diversity. Amiable go-getters will do well in the firm’s supportive, team environment.
15.11% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#6
Fisher Phillips
Since its inception almost 80 years ago in Atlanta, Fisher Phillips has blossomed into a megafirm with 36 offices and more than 500 attorneys. With this expansion, the firm’s standing as a premier law firm representing management exclusively in the areas of labor, employment, civil rights, employee benefits, and immigration law has grown as well. Its footprint covers most of the United States, from Atlanta to Boston, Chicago to Seattle, Los Angeles to Houston, Kansas City to Washington, DC, and most points in between.
14.45% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#10
Gibson Dunn
A litigation powerhouse, appellate all-star, and corporate law force, Gibson Dunn is a Vault top 10 firm with impressive practice and client lists across its 21 worldwide offices. Gibson attracts go-getters who will succeed in the firm’s free market system and integrate with the professional, amiable culture. Attorneys who want to engage in pro bono work, with these hours satisfying billable requirements, will find robust, dynamic opportunities at Gibson Dunn. The firm’s flex-time program with pro-rated hours and compensation, is attractive to many.
14.29% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#8
Paul Hastings LLP
Consistently among the top law firms for associate quality of life, Paul Hastings prioritizes mentorship, training, and long-term career development. Lawyers seeking an amiable, collaborative atmosphere where hard work and client service are valued will likely be a good fit at the firm. Attorneys enjoy significant substantive experience early in their careers at Paul Hastings and feel supported and mentored by the firm’s leaders. Commitment to diversity efforts is also among the many perks of working at the firm.
11.82% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#9
Jones Day
With a Midwestern culture of collegiality and teamwork, Jones Day is among the best of the best in the legal industry. Home to more than 2,400 attorneys in dozens of worldwide offices, clients can call upon its vast resources and exceptional legal talent across jurisdictions and practice areas. Associates love the interesting work, friendly culture, and commitment to pro bono service.
9.36% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#7
Sheppard Mullin
Sheppard Mullin—new to the $1 billion-a-year revenue club—has continued to grow since its founding almost 100 years ago in Los Angeles. With 16 offices worldwide and 1,100 attorneys, it has expanded from a firm that primarily represents retailers and banks to one that offers stellar legal services in commercial law, litigation, aerospace and defense, land use and real estate, entertainment law, intellectual property law, and government contracts. Associates wanting pro bono experience will be happy with Sheppard Mullin’s dedicated pro bono partner and project coordinator.
5.91% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#11
Orrick
Innovation is the name of the game at Orrick—from the energy, tech, and finance clients that the firm counsels, to its impactful well-being initiatives and its modern technology tools. Associates who are down-to-earth, collaborative, and forward-thinking will fit right in at this progressive firm. With offices in over 25 markets across the United States, Europe, and Asia, Orrick is a legal powerhouse with dedication to pro bono, diversity, and competitive compensation.
5.58% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#14
Latham & Watkins
You know you’ve made it in the legal industry when you’ve landed a spot at Latham. The firm is a global leader across dozens of practice areas, with over 3,000 lawyers in 14 countries, and recruits the best of the best. This globalization allows Latham to service clients with the finest legal resources, regardless of location. Those seeking autonomy to shape their practice and wanting extensive training and support will be pleased with their opportunities at this legal giant.
4.11% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#15
Greenberg Traurig, LLP
At Greenberg Traurig, attorneys receive cutting-edge work with colleagues they enjoy spending time with. Pro bono is highly emphasized, and the firm strives to hire, retain, and promote diverse attorneys. Many attorneys at Greenberg have an entrepreneurial mindset and take responsibility for sophisticated matters with the support of brilliant mentors. Greenberg Traurig looks outside the traditional legal model to provide enhanced services to clients via innovation.
3.78% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#16
O'Melveny & Myers LLP
A top law firm for quality of life every year, a mainstay among the Vault Law 30 firms, and the oldest firm in Los Angeles, O’Melveny is a highly sought-after firm with hundreds of lawyers across 18 offices and eight countries. The firm prioritizes associate development and is a leader in DE&I, pro bono, and employee wellness. Its prominence in California and elsewhere has fostered exceptional opportunities in many areas of law, including entertainment law and technology/emerging companies.
3.78% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#12
DLA Piper
Get your passport ready—DLA Piper has more than 90 offices (including relationship firms) around the world and is home to more than 4,000 lawyers. These lawyers work across dozens of practices, and the firm is lauded for its Data Protection, Privacy, and Security practices. Collaboration and professionalism are key to this firm’s collegial culture. Associates enjoy working with collaborative, intelligent colleagues in a flexible environment.
3.12% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#19
Skadden
With practices from M&A to tax, Skadden is a legal powerhouse and mainstay among the most prestigious firms in Vault’s Top 100 ranking. Skadden lawyers are a social bunch who value teamwork and mentorship, and they dive headfirst into complex matters. From New York to Hong Kong, the Skadden name is known worldwide, with nearly 1,700 attorneys across eight U.S. offices and 13 international offices. Exit opportunities are endless for Skadden attorneys due to the firm’s strong alumni network and prestigious name. Attorneys are committed to pro bono work and are encouraged from day one to find a pro bono matter that sparks their interest to benefit the community.
3.12% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#16
Epstein Becker & Green, P.C.
Epstein Becker & Green’s primary focuses are health care, labor and employment, and litigation. The firm also emphasizes pro bono work, and many of its attorneys serve as leaders for nonprofit and other charitable organizations. It is also committed to growing diversity in the legal profession and supports this commitment through a number of initiatives.
2.79% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#13
Sidley Austin LLP
With an impressive global footprint of over 2,300 lawyers across 21 offices and a roster of top-notch clients across the energy, financial services, healthcare, insurance, life sciences, sports and media, and technology industries, Sidley is the cream of the crop when it comes to law firms. Come for the sophisticated work and stay for the polite, amiable Midwestern vibes as well as the sincere commitment to building a diverse and inclusive workplace.
2.30% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#20
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
Davis Wright Tremaine is a Pacific Northwest powerhouse known for its prowess in media and entertainment law. The firm boasts strong early career development for its associates, demonstrated by the fact that approximately one-half of the firm’s practice chairs are in their 30s and 40s. With over 560 attorneys in 11 domestic offices, the firm supports a collaborative culture by utilizing mentorship to create multidisciplinary, industry-focused teams. Davis Wright Tremaine operates on each U.S. coast to tackle some of the most interesting transactional, regulatory, and litigation matters.
2.14% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#Not Ranked
