Which Are America’s Most Trusted Law Firms?

Where Are The High Growth Areas? It takes 'Forbes', that purveyor of key lists that attract eyeballs everywhere, to provide us with the largest law firms in the world - and to outline how some are growing faster than ever. They are also becoming more specialized. Working with Statista, 'Forbes' selected 243 firms and identified the most recommended ones for their law firm survey in 17 practice areas, based on survey responses from 2,500 lawyers. The selection of firms involved both the household name Big Law outfits and smaller boutiques with very specific focus. Although the recession hit the bottom line for many firms, the recovery is well and truly underway. Two firms have surpassed $3 billion in annual revenue. Kirkland & Ellis has been the top revenue-producing firm in the world for the past two years, doubling its revenue in the past decade to $3.76 billion last year. Meanwhile, Latham & Watkins is focused on reaching $4 billion revenue for the 2019 year. The others in the billion dollar law firm group include Baker McKenzie; DLA Piper; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom; Sidley Austin, Hogan Lovells, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius; Clifford Chance; Jones Day; White & Case; and Dentons. What Are The Law Firm Growth Areas? The major areas of law practice for the 'majors' has been transactional law, M&A work, litigation and the well-established areas of law practice. But the new technologies and other changes are bringing new areas of lucrative practice, like cryptocurrency and cannabis law issues, data privacy and cybersecurity issues. The Miami-based law firm Akerman has a strong cannabis practice, launched in 2014, that was among the first in big law to actively exploit the new area and to advise clients such as investment funds, cultivators, processors and dispensaries on the intricacies of cannabis regulation. Now Duane Morris and Sheppard Mullin have substantial teams advising on cannabis laws at state and federal level. Seattle’s Perkins Coie was an early entrant into the blockchain area of law , launching its blockchain technology and digital currency practice in 2013 with 40 lawyers advising over 200 clients. Diversity & Gender Parity Diversity and gender parity have become big concerns for law firms. According to the National Association for Law Placement, female and black lawyers made “small gains” at major U.S. law firms in 2018, as compared with 2017, and at the partner level, women and minorities “continued to make small gains.” Punching Above Weight Another notable development in the legal world is also the rise of regional firms that punch above their weight focused on key areas of specialty despite having only a small number of offices. For example, Robinson Bradshaw in North Carolina—which does M&A, commercial litigation and antitrust work—has only three offices but boasts international clients including Verizon Communications. And the firms' list includes new entrants like bankruptcy firm Bassi Edlin of San Francisco, founded 10 years ago, corporate governance firm Bingham Greenbaume Doll (2011) Of Interest LawFuel - News To Power Lawyers

Which Are America’s Most Trusted Law Firms?

About The Author

LawFuel Editors

Subscibe to LawFuel

About The Author

LawFuel Editors

Read More