The 16th edition of Best Law Firms® in the United States reaffirms the nation’s standards of legal excellence. Integrating firm performance, client insight and leadership perspectives, the rankings capture a dynamic picture of achievement across the profession.
As the oldest ranking in the Best Law Firms research family, the United States edition continues a tradition of rigorous evaluation that evolves alongside the legal industry.
A National Effort: Firms, Clients and Leaders Contributing Insight
The 2026 Best Law Firms rankings indicate a collaborative effort spanning the U.S., with thousands of firms, clients and leaders providing input. Over 18,700 firms participated in the survey process, with 4,900 submitting responses.
Feedback also came from 27,000 lawyers and over 110,800 client submissions, demonstrating broad engagement within the profession. The research incorporated 26 million evaluations, covering 129,000 lawyers and 24,000 firms, along with 16,401 client comments.
These contributions demonstrate confidence in the process and the community's active involvement. Eight hundred forty-one leadership interviews provided qualitative insight on firm performance and professional standards. The scale and diversity of responses reinforce the reliability of the Best Law Firms results.
A Multi-Layered Approach to Evaluation
The Best Law Firms methodology combines multiple data sources to assess law firm performance. Client and professional references, firm-submitted data, lawyer evaluations and leadership interviews provide both quantitative and qualitative insight.
Eligible firms must have at least one lawyer recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® in the relevant practice area and jurisdiction. Submissions are scored and grouped into law firm tiers, highlighting meaningful performance distinctions rather than strict rankings.
By balancing diverse inputs from clients, peers and firm leaders, this methodology ensures Best Law Firms results convey a rigorous and transparent evaluation of professional achievement.
Regional, National and “Law Firm of the Year” Awards
The 2026 evaluations exhibit the scope and precision of the Best Law Firms methodology. Awards recognize law firms at both regional and national law firm rankings, illustrating the balance between specialized skill and comprehensive service.
Regional recognition forms the foundation of the research, with 17,555 firms honored across 127 practice areas. These distinctions reflect the competitiveness of local markets and the depth of legal talent.
At the national level, 2,340 firms received recognition across 75 practice areas, showcasing their ability to deliver consistent quality and service beyond local markets.
At the highest level, 68 firms earned the “Law Firm of the Year” distinction covering 74 practice areas. Tiered rankings signal more than volume; placement signifies sustained achievement and depth of expertise within each practice area.
The national practice areas with the strongest participation, spotlighting where demand and engagement are highest, include:
- Commercial Litigation
- Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
- Real Estate Law
- Construction Litigation
- Appellate Practice
Practices at the Center of Legal Activity
The 2026 results highlight the practice areas driving the greatest client demand and attorney participation nationwide.
Courtroom and compliance in focus
Litigation and regulatory law continue to dominate across the national rankings, reflecting steady demand for courtroom and compliance expertise.
High-profile challenges such as Susman Godfrey’s successful injunction and Harvard’s ongoing lawsuit against the Trump administration underline why commercial litigation remains a leading practice. Cases that proceed from trial to appeal demand coordinated trial strategy and appellate skill, as seen in coverage of both matters.
Restructuring and bankruptcy gain momentum
Trends in corporate reorganization remain robust as many companies increasingly favor revival over liquidation. S&P Global data shows a rising share of bankruptcy filings in are aimed at reorganization.
At the same time, liability management transactions are growing in volume and complexity, signaling a shift toward faster, more cost-efficient solutions. These trends help explain why firms with strong bankruptcy and creditor-debtor rights practices continue to be highly ranked among the Best Law Firms.
Real estate and investment law expand
Transaction and investment activity in commercial real estate is characterized by a phase of cautious optimism, driven by expectations of lower interest rates and renewed interest in distressed assets. The Emerging Trends in Real Estate 2025 report by PwC and ULI notes that investors are closely watching climate risk, rental affordability and data-center growth.
Rising claims drive construction litigation
Disputes in construction are accelerating as material and labor costs rise, supply‑chain disruptions continue and large‑scale projects face delays or defects. Industry reports identify rising construction-defect claims and contract-related litigation among the key 2025 trends.
Annual Insights: Best Law Firms Legal Market Report 2026
Complementing the Best Law Firms rankings, the Best Law Firms Legal Market Report 2026 offers a detailed look at more than 4,850 firms, drawing attention to financial performance, client engagement, billing practices, marketing priorities and more.
Explore the full Best Law Firms Legal Market report for deeper insight into trends shaping the U.S. legal industry.
Global Context and Consistent Measures
The U.S. edition of Best Law Firms remains the largest and longest-running, providing the foundation for rankings in other markets. Its broad scope across corporate law, litigation and regulatory practices mirrors the complexity of the American legal sector.
The 2026 Best Law Firms™ – Germany and the 2026 Best Law Firms™ – Spain spotlight corporate law, mergers and acquisitions and transactional specialties. In contrast, the 2026 Best Law Firms™ – France and the 2026 Best Law Firms™ – Canada emphasize labor and litigation, reflecting strong local priorities. Meanwhile, the 2026 Best Law Firms™ – Australia highlights regional diversification and the distinct dynamics of its legal market.
Each international edition upholds the same rigorous methodology while capturing the priorities and legal cultures of its region.
Upholding Standards of Skill and Service
Building on this global perspective, the 2026 edition of Best Law Firms celebrates firms that represent the pinnacle of professional excellence in the United States. Grounded in comprehensive research and reinforced by peer and client recognition, these rankings honor practices distinguished by exceptional skill, unwavering integrity and outstanding client service.
For over 15 years, Best Law Firms has been the definitive benchmark for legal excellence nationwide. Explore the complete 2026 Best Law Firms rankings by region and practice area.
