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 Products Liability
Kirkland & Ellis
A legal giant—both in size and reputation—Kirkland is known for its private equity, M&A and other complex corporate transactions; investment fund formation and alternative asset management; restructurings; high-stakes commercial and intellectual property litigation; and government, regulatory, and internal investigations work, with lawyers working across more than 60 practice areas for high-profile clients. With over 3,500 attorneys across 20 offices and a commitment to ‘innovative and comprehensive legal education and development,’ Kirkland is the perfect firm for driven individuals who are ready to take control of their legal careers.
20.40% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#1
Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP
In contrast to a stuffy BigLaw firm, Quinn Emanuel offers a unique combination of casual and ambitious. Lawyers who work at this top litigation shop are motivated and have the autonomy to manage their workloads and the drive to tackle intense complex matters for hours—all while wearing jeans and flip flops (if they so choose). Quinn Emanuel attorneys are treated to a fully remote, work-from-anywhere policy and have significant opportunities to work in any of their international offices.
18.12% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#2
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.
14.33% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#3
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.
12.24% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#4
Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP
One of DC’s finest, the global megafirm Arnold & Porter is home to nearly 1,000 lawyers practicing across dozens of areas—with antitrust being one of the most notable. The firm focuses heavily on mentoring, with mentoring budgets, shadowing opportunities, and multiple formal mentors for junior associates. Pro bono is a big deal at Arnold & Porter, too, as the firm allows up to 200 hours to count toward the annual billable goal and has won numerous awards for its efforts.
11.86% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#5
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.
10.44% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#6
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.
9.77% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#7
Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.
With offices in 16 locations throughout the U.S. and one in London, Shook, Hardy & Bacon has built a reputation as a top firm in a number of practices, but it is especially regarded for its expertise in complex litigation and products liability. Shook is a strong supporter of associate development, offering in-house training that covers topics including writing, negotiations, and trial skills. The firm is particularly well known in the product liability area, especially for its work on behalf of pharmaceutical, medical device, technology, and automotive companies.
8.92% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#7
Covington & Burling
Known for its white collar, antitrust, and corporate work—among other practices—Covington is a mainstay in the top 20 of the Vault Law 100. The firm attracts intellectuals who lean progressive and thrive on collaboration, hard work, and giving back via pro bono matters.
8.44% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#10
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.
8.16% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#14
Paul, Weiss
Since its founding in 1875, Paul, Weiss has grown to 10 offices—five domestic and five international—with more than 1,000 attorneys. The firm attracts associates from a broad range of backgrounds who want to engage in sophisticated, complex legal matters. In addition to general litigation and corporate law, Paul, Weiss attorneys excel in the areas of public M&A, private equity, white collar and regulatory defense, restructuring, and capital markets. Associates work hard and appreciate that the firm provides meaningful opportunities to work on social justice issues and provides substantial support for well-being.
7.88% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#15
Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP
With an illustrious history dating back to 1819, Cravath remains a leanly staffed, relatively small firm with its headquarters in New York City and offices in London and Washington, DC. The firm’s new NYC office at Two Manhattan West is designed to foster community with common areas, amenity spaces, and barista and beverage bars. Associates have no billable hour requirement, yet the firm is among the top most profitable firms. Often described as having a “sink-or-swim” environment, the firm utilizes a unique work rotation system that lends itself to smaller, cooperative teams, close mentoring, substantial responsibility, and quick learning for associates.
7.69% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#11
Williams & Connolly LLP
One of the most selective law firms, Williams & Connolly is a litigation standout known for handling complex, high-stakes matters. The firm has a promote-from-within culture with an emphasis on organic mentorship. Associates are given great responsibility early in their careers and appreciate being treated with respect, as shown by their ability to work when, how, and where they wish.
7.21% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#16
King & Spalding LLP
After almost 140 years in Atlanta, King & Spalding is now a global firm with 23 offices in 10 countries and more than 1,300 attorneys. The firm counsels clients in many industries, including transportation, energy, financial services, food and beverage, higher education, technology, and life sciences and healthcare. Focusing on trial, regulatory, and transactional work, King & Spalding balances BigLaw with a social, congenial, and family-friendly culture.
6.36% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#13
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.
6.26% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#12
Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
One of the most prestigious law firms, Sullivan & Cromwell adopts a generalist approach, allowing lawyers to work across industries and subgroups. Sullivan & Cromwell boasts an army of over 800 attorneys across eight countries. The firm prides itself on mentoring and career advising, as well as providing associates with a positive environment to work on cutting-edge legal matters with talented colleagues.
5.60% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#19
Dechert
Dechert is a global firm, but its collegial culture seems to create a sense of close community. The firm encourages attorneys to participate in firm citizenship in addition to billable work, offering a STARS award, which includes a bonus, for contributions related to teaching, diversity, and innovation. Dechert is recognized as one of the best law firms for pro bono work, with many hours contributed every year and for which accolades have been conferred.
5.31% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#17
Cooley
The go-to firm for startups and early-stage companies, Cooley is ideal for those seeking cutting-edge work with innovative clients. The firm is also known for its work with life science and technology companies. Cooley has a highly social culture in 19 worldwide offices that will no doubt appeal to affable personalities, and boasts a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.
4.74% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#23
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.
4.65% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#21
Reed Smith LLP
Reed Smith LLP is the perfect fit for associates who want to take on challenging legal work in a laid-back, welcoming environment. Partners are active mentors, and on-the-job training is supplemented with courses through the firm’s learning and development programs. The social sphere encompasses all 13 international offices and 18 domestic offices, and attorneys work side-by-side regardless of their locations. Reed Smith takes the responsibility of advising some of the largest companies in the world.
4.08% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#18
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
M&A giant and leader in the New York legal market, Wachtell Lipton is one of the most elite law firms in the industry. Known for its high-profile matters and above-market compensation, Wachtell Lipton is home to a passionate group of lawyers who embrace hard work and professionalism. The firm is small by elite, BigLaw standards, which fosters a collegial atmosphere, and it has spurned domestic or international expansion, preferring to maintain a sole office in NYC.
3.99% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#Not Ranked
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.
3.80% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#25
Perkins Coie LLP
Perkins Coie cultivates collegiality through a holistic hiring process, social retreats, resource groups, wellness programs, and more. Whether they hope to make partner or move in-house, associates here are in a good position. Providing legal services to some of the world’s most innovative companies, Perkins Coie lawyers take pride in performing substantive, meaningful work. Although its history is rooted in aerospace and transportation, Perkins Coie has stretched its services across its domestic and international offices.
3.70% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#20
Winston & Strawn LLP
Winston’s Midwestern roots are reflected in its top-to-bottom friendly culture despite its expansion to 10 domestic and 5 international offices. The firm is known for its work in middle-market private equity, intellectual property, labor and employment, renewable energy, sports law, and white collar expertise. Strong mentorship allows junior associates to develop skills on high-profile matters quickly, and robust wellness, diversity, and pro bono programs contribute to the overall Winston experience.
3.51% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#Not Ranked
Norton Rose Fulbright
Norton Rose Fulbright hires attorneys who fit into its kind, social culture. New leadership has made some recent, well-received changes, including expanded diversity and wellness initiatives, a new training platform, and heightened transparency. With offices in over 50 cities worldwide, Norton Rose Fulbright is a global firm with a diversity of work and a noteworthy presence in the renewable energy sphere.
3.23% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#25
Weil
A leader in bankruptcy and restructuring, Weil is an all-around legal superstar with a name that will shine on any resume. The firm is a good fit for team players who enjoy socializing and aren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and work hard.
3.23% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#Not Ranked
