Corporate counsel have named just 256 attorneys from 129 firms as the absolute best at client service in BTI Consulting Group’s 25th annual ranking. The list is purely organic, without submissions, self-nominations, or payments. That’s cool, right? Only clients identify individuals by name based on real-world performance.
Who Are The Standout Lawyers?
Eleven attorneys have now delivered at this elite level for three consecutive years:
- Charles D. Tobin (Ballard Spahr)
- Katherine M. Bolger and Kelli L. Sager (Davis Wright Tremaine)
- Moez M. Kaba (Hueston Hennigan)
- Peter S. Fruin (Maynard Nexsen)
- Pankit J. Doshi (McDermott Will & Schulte)
- Jacob D. Albertson (Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp)
- A. Craig Cleland (Ogletree Deakins)
- Daniel M. Petrocelli (O’Melveny)
- Richard F. Martinelli (Orrick)
- Robert C. Stevens (Seyfarth)
Twenty-one more earned the recognition for a second straight year. But perhaps the most interesting fact is that only three lawyers were nominated by multiple clients, being Moez M. Kaba (Hueston Hennigan), Sy Damle (Latham & Watkins) left, and Chris Willis (Troutman Pepper Locke).
Four associates also broke through – Leah Motzkin (Arnold & Porter), Sarah Ediger (Gibson Dunn), Avery Hitchcock (Husch Blackwell), and Alice Shulman (Venable).
The Firms That Ranked Highest
Latham & Watkins stands alone with 11 All-Stars, the clear leader in the BTI rankings Its roster includes Ashley M. Bauer, Sy Damle, Chirag K. Dedania, Andrew Gass, A. Peter Harwich, Joshua N. Holian, Eli M. Katz, Belinda S. Lee, Clayton Northouse, Max Schleusener, and Lilia B. Vazova.
Eight firms field five or more All-Stars, being Latham & Watkins, Gibson Dunn, Orrick, Husch Blackwell, King & Spalding, Cooley, Mayer Brown, and Morgan Lewis.
A broader group of 12 firms each produced four or more, underscoring concentrated excellence at a relatively small set of practices.
The Five Factors That Separate the Stars
Clients singled out these lawyers and firms for five distinct capabilities that directly address today’s pressures on in-house teams (heightened CEO involvement, regulatory volatility, novel and high-stakes litigation, compulsory M&A, geopolitical risk, and constrained internal staffing). The 5 key factors –
- Pivot without missing a beat — They spot shifting priorities early and adapt seamlessly, often before the client asks.
- Act at CEO speed — They cut through complexity and deliver practical, business-ready advice that counsel can take straight to the C-suite.
- Drive business outcomes — Every recommendation is tightly aligned with the client’s strategic and commercial objectives.
- Stay three steps ahead — They prepare clients for tomorrow’s challenges rather than simply answering today’s questions.
- Turn obstacles into opportunities — When conventional approaches stall, they find a viable new path.
Full profiles (including client comments and each attorney’s own service philosophy), the complete firm list, and the complimentary report are available via BTI Consulting.
