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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 2024 Rankings are derived from Vault's Annual Associate Survey conducted between January 2023 through March 2023.
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 2024 Rankings are derived from Vault's Annual Associate Survey conducted between January 2023 through March 2023.

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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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2024 Best Law Firms for Project Finance

#1
% of Votes 29.52
2023 Rank 1

Milbank

Milbank LLP is one of the nation’s leading firms for corporate finance and restructuring, litigation, and project finance. It is known for its international work and focus on the energy sector.  Embracing Change Milbank planted its roots...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program
#2
% of Votes 26.02
2023 Rank 2

Latham & Watkins

Latham is one of the world’s largest law firms. With more than 3,000 attorneys in 30 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 22.12
2023 Rank 3

Skadden

Skadden is one of the most profitable and well-known law firms in the world. It was the first law firm to report $1 billion in annual revenue, now an industry brass ring. While the firm may be best known for its M&A prowess, it is an...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program
#4
% of Votes 13.61
2023 Rank 4

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP boasts one of the nation’s best and most comprehensive corporate departments, with impressive teams in capital markets, M&A, executive compensation, finance, financial institutions, restructuring, tax, and tech...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program
#5
% of Votes 12.63
2023 Rank 5

White & Case

Founded at the dawn of the 20th century, White & Case has grown from its New York beginnings to become a truly global law firm. The firm has 44 offices across 30 countries—including eight in the U.S.—and is well known for its experience...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program
#6
% of Votes 11.35
2023 Rank 6

Simpson Thacher

A Wall Street institution, Simpson Thacher houses elite teams in M&A, banking, capital markets, private equity, and litigation. With more than 1,000 lawyers across 11 global offices, Simpson Thacher has long held its spot among the most...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program
#7
% of Votes 11.26
2023 Rank 8

Sullivan & Cromwell LLP

A BigLaw powerhouse, Sullivan & Cromwell has followed—if not created—the blueprint for legal success: It has grown internationally and in response to the increasing cross-border M&A, restructuring, and finance transactional demands of...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program
#8
% of Votes 10.82
2023 Rank 7

Sidley Austin LLP

Sidley is a global powerhouse, with over 2,300 lawyers across 21 offices. The firm boasts a long list of marquee clients in a range of industries, including energy, financial services, health care, insurance, life sciences, sports and media, and...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program
#9
% of Votes 7.62
2023 Rank 10

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP

Cleary is a leading global law firm, with offices on four continents and an unparalleled reputation for groundbreaking work. While long known as a dominant player in the international and corporate business world, Cleary has built out both...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program
#10
% of Votes 7.54
2023 Rank 9

Norton Rose Fulbright

With more than 800 lawyers based in the U.S. and another 3,000 around the globe, Norton Rose Fulbright is a legal force. The firm has dozens of offices across six continents and is particularly well known for its energy practice. Teaming Up...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program