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The Texas "region" is headquarters to a wide variety of firms, with a particular emphasis on energy, oil, and gas law as well as the (perhaps unexpected) presence of some of the nation's most important intellectual property jurisdictions. Vault’s Texas Regional Resource Center is designed to help candidates research the region's legal industry by pulling together the region’s top-ranked firms, firm profiles, and practical guidance tailored to Texas hiring and practice realities. From there, we link to the current 2026-2027 Best Law Firms in Texas regional prestige ranking, which is based on Vault’s Annual Associate Survey conducted from October 22, 2025 to January 23, 2026. Using that ranking as the anchor, this post highlights the top five large firms in Texas and what each offers to law students and lateral candidates evaluating the market.
Vinson & Elkins
Not only are they our top firm in Texas, they are the top Energy, Oil & Gas law firm in the country as well as #53 in the current Vault Law 100. Founded in Houston in 1917, Vinson & Elkins has been one of the most vital energy law firms since its start. Today, V&E attorneys are trusted advisers to clients in the most important industrial and financial industries, such as digital industries, renewable energy, technology, banking/finance, M&A/private equity, real estate, media, complex litigation, and tax. Associates describe a friendly & collaborative firm culture, and the firm generally hires out of the t15 as well as prominent regional law schools near its offices.
Kirkland & Ellis
Kirkland & Ellis is widely recognized as one of the world’s most elite firms, especially in private equity, M&A, restructuring, and high-stakes litigation, with more than 4,000 lawyers across its global platform. Associates emphasize the firm’s intense deal flow and responsibility for junior lawyers, noting that even early-career associates can be deeply involved in negotiations and drafting. They are #6 in the Vault Law 100 and are the top firm in a whopping four practice areas: Banking & Financial Services, Bankruptcy/Restructuring, Private Equity, and Products Liability.
Latham & Watkins
Latham & Watkins sits at #3 in Texas, a reminder that the firm’s Los Angeles roots don’t limit its broader reach. For associates deciding among the top tier, Latham can read as a “both-and” option: a platform with national class credentials and genuine Texas presence, where juniors can build corporate, finance, and litigation toolkits that travel well inside (and beyond) the state. The current Texas rankings page provides the up-to-date placement and links into firm materials for inside associate reviews on everything from culture to technology to pro bono.
Gibson Dunn
Long renowned for its litigation, appellate, corporate, and high-stakes transactional work, Gibson Dunn brings global scale to Texas—meaning candidates working from the state get access to the same elite, high-stakes matters as coastal offices, often with fewer geographic sacrifices. For students and laterals in the region, Gibson Dunn offers a rare combination: brand-name prestige, cross-office mobility, and the possibility of working major matters without relocating to New York or L.A. Associates at Gibson Dunn highlight that the firm’s global bench, national client roster, and experience in cutting edge litigation or transactions create opportunities seldom matched outside major hub offices. For a Texas-based lawyer, being at Gibson Dunn means both local quality of life and global visibility—an attractive balance for top-tier candidates.
Baker Botts
Rounding out this year's Texas top five is Baker Botts, also #54 in the Vault Law 100 and our #4 firm for the Energy, Oil & Gas practice area. The firm remains rooted in Texas but has grown to employ nearly 700 lawyers throughout its 12 international offices. In addition to energy, the firm enjoys a strong reputation in environmental law, intellectual property (IP), litigation, and project finance. They also enjoy the distinction of being the oldest BigLaw firm in Texas.
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