Forbes’ 2025 edition of America’s Top Lawyers continues what seems like a yearly battle royale among elite attorneys. The list is intended to highlight “private practice attorneys” who have distinguished themselves through trial victories, major deals, transactions, counsel, etc.
Selection happens via a multi-stage process: editorial research, interviews with industry insiders, firm and bar nominations, peer respect and client impact. Forbes+1
What’s new or particularly interesting this year:
- Breadth across practice areas
IP, commercial litigation, high stakes trial work, regulatory work, arbitration, etc. Lawyers are being rewarded not just for big wins but for complexity, jurisdictional reach, and sometimes geopolitical implications. - Global / geopolitical dimensions
Some of the recognised cases involve cross-border challenges or foreign sovereign bodies (e.g. involving companies vs. Russian entities, global patent settlement negotiations). So it’s not just domestic US courtroom fights. - Reputation and institutional roles matter
Being a litigation chair, IP head, or having leadership roles in your firm or bar association boosts your chances. Not just what you win, but who you are in the legal ecosystem. katten.com+1 - Not just plaintiffs or defense; transactional & advisory work count
While trial and litigation heavyweights get a lot of spotlight, transactional, regulatory, and counseling roles are also represented. Big deals, major corporate risk, etc. Forbes
Top Lawyers & Firms to Watch
Here are some of the standout names that Forbes (and media like Above the Law) are talking about in 2025. Not exhaustive of the 200 names, but the ones making waves and worth knowing for LawFuel readers.
| Lawyer | What They Did That Stands Out | Practice Area / Firm Role |
|---|---|---|
| Deepro R. Mukerjee | Invalidation of multiple patent claims early in litigation; major generic-drug patent battles; engineered global settlements avoiding billions in exposure. | Intellectual Property, Katten, IP Dept Chair |
| David A. Crichlow | Lead trial counsel in a US$6.3 billion dispute vs Caesars Entertainment; counsel in a case vs Gazprom over seizure of assets under complex sanctions regime. | Trial & Litigation, Katten, Litigation Dept Co-Chair |
| Robert A. Clifford | Long career in catastrophic negligence and aviation litigation; lead counsel in Boeing 737 Max8 litigation; record verdicts; advocacy beyond just courtroom. | Plaintiffs Trial Work, Personal Injury & Wrongful Death, Clifford Law Offices |
| Proskauer Partners (Monica Arora; Joe Drayton; Robert E. Freeman; Jon H. Oram; Bart H. Williams) | Recognised among Forbes top attorneys across multiple specializations including IP, private funds, litigation. | Varies (IP, Litigation, Funds) at Proskauer |
| Mathew Rosengart | Known for high profile entertainment / litigation cases (client list includes stars, big corporations), showing horseshoe-tight control over both trial and reputation. |
More Case Studies (“Global Exposure” & Cross-Border Drama)
These are good for seeing what “top” means in 2025.
- The Gazprom / Russian Seizure Case:
David Crichlow represents an industrial gas company whose helium storage tanks in Russia were seized. Triggered by compliance with EU / US sanctions, and a Russian court’s order. Touches on conflict of laws, international treaty obligations, property rights, sanctions enforcement. This kind of case is risky: unpredictable courts, politics, enforcement of judgments. - Global Patent Settlements:
Deepro Mukerjee arranging global settlements in multi-jurisdiction patent disputes. Generic-vs-brand pharm cases often implicate regulatory authorities, patent offices in different countries, patent validity under varying legal standards. - Massive Financial Dispute vs Caesars:
Crichlow working for noteholders in huge debt / guarantee dispute. These kinds of cases often cross jurisdictions (depending on how contracts are structured), involve bankruptcy / restructuring issues, sometimes sovereign risk, sometimes tort / contract law interplay. - Litigation + Deals / Transactions Mix:
Lawyers in lists like Forbes often don’t have purely litigation portfolios. For example Proskauer’s attorneys being recognized in IP, Private Funds, and Litigation suggests cross-pollination. Might represent a trend: high skill in several domains gives you better chances to “matter”.
What this Means for the Legal Landscape
- Competition is intensifying: Getting on such a list like Forbes’ requires not just one or two big wins but sustained visibility, institutional leadership, and sometimes navigating international or cross-jurisdictional complexity.
- IP & life sciences remain hotspots: Patent litigation, pharma disputes, biotech regulation are areas where a lot of money flows, and the risk is high. The names Forbes picks reflect that.
- Trials still matter: Despite the rise of arbitration, settlements, regulatory enforcement, trial work (especially high stakes) remains a marker of distinction.
- Reputation + leadership roles are no longer optional: It’s not enough to win; you have to be seen to win, to lead, to be part of the structure—chairs, comms, boards, etc.
