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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 2026-2027 Rankings are derived from Vault's Annual Associate Survey conducted from October 22, 2025 to January 23, 2026.
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; International; Labor & Employment; Litigation Specialty; 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 2026-2027 Rankings are derived from Vault's Annual Associate Survey conducted from October 22, 2025 to January 23, 2026.

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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.

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2027 Best Law Firms for Environmental Law

#1
% of Votes 38.07
2026 Rank 1

Beveridge & Diamond, P.C.

Beveridge & Diamond has developed in parallel with the evolution of environmental and natural resource laws and regulations, creating a firm highly skilled in navigating the complexities of environmental law, natural resource law, and land...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program
#2
% of Votes 23.86
2026 Rank 2

Latham & Watkins

Latham & Watkins is one of the world’s largest law firms. With more than 3,500 attorneys in 14 countries around the world, Latham practices in all the major jurisdictions in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia and regularly...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program
#3
% of Votes 20.31
2026 Rank 3

Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP

Arnold & Porter is home to more than 1,000 lawyers across 16 offices around the globe. The firm practices in more than 40 areas and is particularly well-known for its antitrust, appellate, environmental, and securities litigation practices,...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program
#4
% of Votes 16.75
2026 Rank 5

Sidley Austin LLP

Sidley Austin is a global powerhouse with a long list of clients from Fortune 500 companies to startups in a range of industries, including energy, financial services, healthcare, insurance, life sciences, sports and media, and technology. With...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program
#5
% of Votes 11.68
2026 Rank 4

Kirkland & Ellis

Kirkland & Ellis, one of the world’s most elite law firms, is known for its corporate, intellectual property (IP), litigation, M&A, private equity, and restructuring work. With more than 4,000 lawyers, the firm is regularly recognized as...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program
#5
% of Votes 11.68
2026 Rank 8

Perkins Coie LLP (Legacy Profile)

In June 2026,   Perkins Coie   merged with Ashurst to become Ashurst Perkins Coie. A new combined Ashurst Perkins Coie profile is being developed and will be available soon. This profile   reflects the legacy firm  Perkins Coie . Although its...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program
#7
% of Votes 9.65
2026 Rank 10

Baker Botts L.L.P.

With deep roots in the Lone Star State, Baker Botts has become an international firm with 12 offices across the world and nearly 700 lawyers in its ranks. The firm fields legal teams in energy, environmental law, intellectual property (IP),...

Overview Summer Program
#8
% of Votes 8.63
2026 Rank 15

Hogan Lovells (Legacy Profile)

Following the combination of Hogan Lovells and Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft on July 1, 2026, a new combined Hogan Lovells Cadwalader profile is being developed and will be available soon. Please note that this profile reflects information...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Summer Program
#8
% of Votes 8.63
2026 Rank 12

Holland & Knight LLP

A veritable global conglomerate, Holland & Knight complements its fleet of offices in the United States with locations in Algeria, Colombia, England, and Mexico. With a political pedigree and strong Capitol Hill ties, the firm covers dozens...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Summer Program
#8
% of Votes 8.63
2026 Rank 5

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...

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