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 2021 Rankings are derived from Vault's Annual Associate Survey conducted between late January 2020 through early April 2020.

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 2021 Rankings are derived from Vault's Annual Associate Survey conducted between late January 2020 through early April 2020.

2021 Best Law Firms for Intellectual Property

% of Votes 52.05

2020 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 dot-com boom (and subsequent...

Overview Associate Reviews Summer Program

% of Votes 31.23

2020 Rank 2

Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP

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

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As

% of Votes 19.23

2020 Rank 4

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

% of Votes 17.93

2020 Rank 3

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

Kirkland & Ellis, one the world’s most elite law firms, is recognized for its corporate, intellectual property, litigation, M&A, private equity, and restructuring work. With more than 2,700 lawyers, the firm is regularly recognized as...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program

% of Votes 14.97

2020 Rank 5

Morrison & Foerster LLP

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

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program

% of Votes 14.67

2020 Rank 6

Cooley LLP

With more than 1,100 lawyers practicing across the US, Europe, and Asia, Cooley is synonymous with tech and venture capital work. The firm is also well regarded for its cleantech, cyber/data/privacy, IP, M&A, private equity, and securities...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program

% of Votes 13.98

2020 Rank 7

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

% of Votes 10.11

2020 Rank 8

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

With 800 attorneys across 16 offices around the world, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati is a global player with very deep tech roots. The firm has become a leader in tech licensing transactions, technology financings and M&A, and...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program

% of Votes 8.66

2020 Rank 11

Fenwick & West LLP

Well known for its work with technology companies, Fenwick & West is home to 350 attorneys across six offices. The firm has mostly stayed true to its West Coast roots, with three offices in California—including its newly opened Santa Monica...

Overview Associate Reviews Why Work Here Q&As Summer Program

#10

% of Votes 8.44

2020 Rank 10

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