Vault Boutique Law Firm Rankings

Tom Borman, LawFuel contributing editor

Forget the old rulebook — leaving Biglaw no longer means leaving big money behind as Vault’s Top 150 small firm list shows.

There was a time when jumping from a megafirm to a smaller outfit meant kissing goodbye to a chunk of your paycheck. Maybe not a life-changing cut, but enough to sting. You gave up $10K or $20K for more responsibility, client time, and maybe a shot at sanity.

That’s changed.

Now, many top small, boutique, and midsize firms are offering salaries that match or beat Biglaw. And the trade-offs? Less grind, more client access, real mentoring, and offices where you’re more than a billing unit.

It’s no wonder a growing number of smart law students are skipping Biglaw altogether, aiming straight for these firms instead. And who can blame them? Why burn out when you can get the paycheck and the people?

Where Are These Firms?

Enter Vault’s Top 150 Under 150 — a curated list of the best small and midsize law firms across the U.S. These aren’t your garden-variety boutiques. These are firms known for top-tier work, great cultures, and paychecks that play in the big leagues.

Vault’s team built the list using:

Law firm survey data
Legal media coverage
Insider feedback from lawyers
Reviews of professional growth, prestige, and quality of life

The firms on the list all have 150 lawyers or fewer and are recognized for their results. They’re not ranked numerically, but every one of them earned their spot.

Big Names, Small Headcounts

Here are just a few standout firms on the 2026 list, mostly litigation firms that have cut their teeth on some of the biggest litigation in the United States.

Axinn – Known for antitrust muscle, focusing on antitrust, intellectual property, and high-stakes litigation.
AZA (Ahmad, Zavitsanos & Anaipakos) – Houston’s heavy-hitters a 60 lawyer trial firm.
Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors – Big on litigation and based Dallas and New York.
Clement & Murphy – Top-tier appellate players, including Supreme Court and ‘strategic’ appellate work and litigation.
Desmarais – Patent power with pay to match – the New York-based IP law powerhouse has built a stellar reputation.
Edelson – Mass and class action law firm with edge. A plaintiff law firm that has won over $5 billion in settlements and a top reputation for its work.
Hueston Hennigan – Litigators with swagger – a 10 year old LA and New York-based litigation powerhouse, offering top-line pay rates.
Wilkinson Stekloff – Supreme Court-ready, moving up five spaces in Vault’s litigation rankings
Yetter Coleman – Texas trial stars with a reputation for creative and successful litigation strategies and national reputation.

And the list goes on. These aren’t firms that hope to compete with Biglaw — they already do, and then some.

Some were founded by former Biglaw partners. Others are built around boutique specializations. Many are known for Supreme Court and appellate work, while some have carved reputations through tech litigation, white collar defense, or bet-the-company trials.

So, Why It Matters

The Vault 150 shows that lawyers no longer need to trade money for meaning. You can now start your career at a smaller firm, get courtroom experience early, and still afford your rent in Manhattan or that Peloton subscription you barely use.

It’s a shift in the legal industry that’s long overdue — and one that reflects what younger lawyers actually want: purpose, people, and a paycheck.

You can view the full list on Vault’s website.

Key Takeaways for Lawyers:

Small firms are paying Biglaw salaries — or better. Their deals continue to improve for associates as they see the need to attract the brightest and best in legal recruitment, moreso as their national and international reputations continue to grow. Plus there is all that attraction in working for a smaller, more friendly, yet challenging and rewarding environment.
Culture, training, and work-life balance often beat Biglaw.
Vault’s “Top 150 Under 150” is a smart tool for job hunting.
These firms punch well above their weight — and don’t hide behind long names and hallway politics.

Vault’s list is a reminder that bigger isn’t always better — and prestige doesn’t have to come with burnout. For smart, ambitious lawyers ready to build careers their way, the path is wide open.