We know that Quinn Emanuel rule the Fearsome List on the BTI survey, but what makes a ‘fearsome’ firm? And who else are on the list?
The BTI report on the Fearsome Firms of 2024 highlights the prowess of select law firms in litigation, as perceived by clients and legal decision makers.
According to the BTI list it is these firms, particularly the “Fearsome Foursome,” that are renowned for their aggressive, unconventional, and highly effective litigation strategies.
The “Fearsome Foursome” Quinn Emanuel, Kirkland & Ellis, Jones Day, and Gibson Dunn.
According to the BTI editors and their survey respondents, it is these firms stand out for their ability to redefine established legal norms, eagerly tackle novel and complex cases, and provide early assessments in new litigations with limited facts.
In addition to the Fearsome Foursome, the report lists 62 firms as formidable opponents.
Among these, notable categories include the “Feared Opponents” like Cravath and Skadden, and the “Awesome Opponents” such as Dentons and Latham & Watkins.
The report also lists “Intimidating Opponents,” including firms like Akin and Arnold & Porter.
The essence of being a fearsome firm lies in creating uncertainty for the opposition, forcing them to reassess strategies and allocate resources more vigilantly.
The previous ‘Fearsome List’ included Jones Day, Kirkland & Ellis, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, and Skadden in the Top Four.
These firms, BTI report, are particularly noted for their fearless nature, uber urgency in case handling, relentless pursuit of their goals, and strategic aggression in litigation.
The list of fearsome firms from BTI is below:
Feared in Litigation:
Awesome Opponents:
| # | Law Firm |
|---|---|
| 1 | Dentons |
| 2 | Duane Morris |
| 3 | Husch Blackwell |
| 4 | Irell & Manella |
| 5 | Latham & Watkins |
| 6 | Paul Hastings |
| 7 | Robins Kaplan |
| 8 | Sidley |
| 9 | Susman Godfrey |
| 10 | Wachtell Lipton |
| 11 | White & Case |
| 12 | WilmerHale |
Intimidating Opponents:
| # | Law Firm |
|---|---|
| 1 | Akin |
| 2 | Anderson Kill |
| 3 | Arnold & Porter |
| 4 | BakerHostetler |
| 5 | Ballard Spahr |
| 6 | Bartlit Beck |
| 7 | Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann |
| 8 | Carpenter Lipps & Leland |
| 9 | Clare Locke |
| 10 | Cleary Gottlieb |
| 11 | Cooley |
| 12 | Covington |
| 13 | Dechert |
| 14 | DLA Piper |
| 15 | Dowd Bennett |
| 16 | Finnegan |
| 17 | Fish |
| 18 | Foley Hoag |
| 19 | Glaser Weil |
| 20 | Goodwin |
| 21 | Gordon & Rees |
| 22 | Goulston & Storrs |
| 23 | Hueston Hennigan |
| 24 | Jackson Lewis |
| 25 | Jackson Walker |
| 26 | Jenner & Block |
| 27 | Kaplan Hecker & Fink |
| 28 | Kasowitz Benson Torres |
| 29 | King & Spalding |
| 30 | Littler |
| 31 | Manatt |
| 32 | Mintz |
| 33 | Motley Rice |
| 34 | Orrick |
| 35 | Paul, Wiess |
| 36 | Pillsbury |
| 37 | Proskauer |
| 38 | Robinson+Cole |
| 39 | Slaughter and May |
| 40 | Troutman Pepper |
| 41 | Wiley |
| 42 | Winston & Strawn |
| 43 | Zarwin Baum |
This table organizes the firms in a clear and structured manner.
