Skip to Main Content
Vault Top Ranked shield

Home Law Rankings

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 2023 Rankings are derived from Vault's Annual Associate Survey conducted between January 2022 through March 2022.
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 2023 Rankings are derived from Vault's Annual Associate Survey conducted between January 2022 through March 2022.

Take Our Survey

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.

Email us today

2023 Best Law Firms for Environmental Law

#1
% of Votes 41.54
2022 Rank 1

Beveridge & Diamond, P.C.

Borne of the EPA, Beveridge & Diamond has developed in symbiosis with significant environmental legislation throughout the last quarter of the 20th century and early 21st, giving its clients insider access to the complexities of...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program
#2
% of Votes 22.56
2022 Rank 2

Latham & Watkins

Latham is one of the world’s largest law firms. With more than 3,000 attorneys in 31 offices around the world, Latham practices in all the major jurisdictions in the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, and regularly represents companies...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program
#3
% of Votes 16.92
2022 Rank 3

Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP

Arnold & Porter is home to approximately 1,000 lawyers across 13 offices around the globe. The firm practices in more than 40 areas and is particularly well known for its antitrust, appellate litigation, environmental, life sciences and...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program
#4
% of Votes 14.36
2022 Rank 6

Perkins Coie LLP

While its largest office is still in Seattle,, Perkins Coie has expanded to include 17 domestic offices—four of which are in California—and three offices in Asia. Perkins Coie likes to say that it provides “counsel to great companies,” and a...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program
#5
% of Votes 10.77
2022 Rank 8

Kirkland & Ellis

Kirkland & Ellis, one the world’s most elite law firms, is known for its corporate, intellectual property, litigation, M&A, private equity, and restructuring work. With more than 3,000 lawyers, the firm is regularly recognized as one of...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program
#5
% of Votes 10.77
2022 Rank 9

Stoel Rives LLP

As a super-regional U.S. law firm, Stoel Rives LLP is a leader in regulatory and compliance work, corporate law, labor and employment law, land use law, and intellectual property law. The firm is the largest in the state of Oregon, where it was...

Overview Employee Reviews Summer Program
#7
% of Votes 10.26
2022 Not Ranked

Vinson & Elkins

Founded in Houston in 1917, this Texas-based institution built its name as one of the most vital energy law firms. Today, Vinson & Elkins is a trusted adviser to clients in the most important industrial and digital industries, such as...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Summer Program
#8
% of Votes 9.23
2022 Rank 5

Baker Botts L.L.P.

With deep roots in the Lone Star State, Baker Botts has grown to become an international firm with 11 offices across the globe and more than 700 lawyers among its ranks. The firm fields sturdy teams in energy, environmental law, IP, litigation,...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Summer Program
#8
% of Votes 9.23
2022 Rank 12

Gibson Dunn

With more than 1,600 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
#8
% of Votes 9.23
2022 Rank 4

Sidley Austin LLP

Sidley is a global powerhouse, with over 2,000 lawyers across 21 offices. The firm boasts a long list of marquee clients in a range of industries, including banking, energy, health care, insurance, life sciences, and technology. The firm’s work...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program