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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 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.

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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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2023 Best Law Firms for Intellectual Property

#1
% of Votes 47.96
2022 Rank 1

Fish & Richardson P.C.

An influential player in the development of American intellectual property law, Fish & Richardson has evolved with the inventions of its clients: From the days of the Industrial Revolution through the current technology revolution, the firm...

Overview Associate Reviews Summer Program
#2
% of Votes 27.31
2022 Rank 2

Finnegan

Finnegan is synonymous with intellectual property—a true full-service IP firm with experts in every industry and technology. Considered one of the world’s top intellectual property law firms, Finnegan employs more than 700 people, including...

Overview Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program
#3
% of Votes 19.00
2022 Rank 4

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
#4
% of Votes 17.49
2022 Rank 5

Cooley

With more than 1,200 lawyers practicing across the U.S., Europe, and Asia, Cooley is synonymous with tech and venture capital work. The firm is also well regarded for its clean tech, cyber/data/privacy, IP, M&A, private equity, and...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program
#5
% of Votes 17.13
2022 Rank 3

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP has been cultivating the persona of an eccentric genius—shocking the often-staid (OK, uptight) legal world with its unorthodox approach while awing them with sweeping successes in the courtroom. This...

Overview Associate Reviews Summer Program
#6
% of Votes 13.12
2022 Rank 6

WilmerHale

With 1,000 lawyers across the U.S., Asia, and Europe, WilmerHale is a litigation powerhouse, known especially for its work in IP, securities, and appellate litigation, as well as its life sciences and technology experience. The firm counsels in...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Summer Program
#7
% of Votes 11.76
2022 Rank 10

Wilson Sonsini

With 950 attorneys across 19 offices around the world, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati is a global player with very deep tech roots. The firm has become a leader in technology and life sciences financings and M&A, tech licensing...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program
#8
% of Votes 11.69
2022 Rank 6

Morrison & Foerster LLP

In 1973, those cats in San Fran approved “MoFo” as Morrison & Foerster LLP’s official nickname, accentuating the firm’s unconventional modus operandi. Still, the firm is distinguished by much more than its rebel epithet. Morrison Foerster...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program
#9
% of Votes 11.61
2022 Rank 8

Irell & Manella LLP

A Southern California powerhouse for 80 years, Irell & Manella matches or exceeds its multinational peers in salary, prestige, and high-stakes cases, serving clients worldwide from just three locations in Los Angeles, Newport Beach, and...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Summer Program
#10
% of Votes 9.53
2022 Rank 11

Knobbe Martens

Knobbe Martens is a full-service intellectual property firm with an attorney roster that boasts a wealth of diverse backgrounds in science and engineering. Consistently ranked among the top intellectual property firms, Knobbe Martens handles...

Overview Why Work Here Employee Reviews Q&As