Best Lawyers® is proud to announce the 17th edition of Best Law Firms® in the United States, celebrating the achievements of law firms whose expertise, dedication and commitment to client service have earned them recognition across the American legal profession.
Building on the 2026 edition, this year's results offer a closer look at nationally recognized firms, leading practice areas and the developments shaping the U.S. legal market.
Behind the Recognition: 17 Years of Research and Insight
First introduced in 2010, the U.S. edition is the longest-running in the Best Law Firms portfolio, which has since expanded to include other international markets. Developed by Best Lawyers, its methodology combines extensive research, professional evaluations and client feedback to assess law firms nationwide.
To qualify for consideration, a firm must have at least one lawyer recognized in the current edition of The Best Lawyers in America® in an eligible practice area and geographic jurisdiction.
The evaluation process incorporates feedback from clients and professional references, firm-submitted information, lawyer evaluations collected through Best Lawyers research and interviews with law firm leaders. Rather than assigning individual numerical positions, firms receive Tier 1, Tier 2 or Tier 3 rankings within eligible practice areas and jurisdictions.
This emphasis on firsthand professional and client experiences is central to the evaluation process. As Sonya Lowry, President and CEO of SibylSoft, Inc., notes, “I appreciate that Best Lawyers and Best Law Firms recognize attorneys based on the experiences of actual clients and peers rather than purely marketing visibility or firm size.”
A Nationwide Look
Spanning a broad range of practice areas and geographic markets, the results include the following national and regional distinctions:
- Regional rankings: 15,671 firms across 127 practice areas and 188 geographic markets, representing approximately 3.41% of U.S. law firms.
- National rankings: 2,220 firms across 75 practice areas, placing them among the top 0.48% nationwide.
- “Law Firm of the Year”: 62 firms across 74 practice areas, with the distinction limited to approximately 0.0135% of the market.
U.S. Law Firms Leading in National Tier 1 Recognition
Among this year's honorees, the following firms stand out for earning the greatest number of National Tier 1 rankings nationwide.
Celebrating their achievements across a broad range of legal practice areas, the list highlights the top 10 positions, with firms sharing a position when their totals match:
- Greenberg Traurig — 43
- Holland & Knight LLP — 42
- Morgan, Lewis & Bockius — 40
- Troutman Pepper Locke LP — 36
- Sidley Austin LLP — 35
- Perkins Coie LLP — 34
- Jones Day; K&L Gates LLP; Taft — 33
- Alston & Bird LLP; Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP — 31
- Kirkland & Ellis LLP — 30
- DLA Piper; McDermott Will & Schulte — 29
Behind the Numbers: The Scale of U.S. Legal Research
Best Law Firms research drew participation from across the U.S. legal profession. A total of 30,024 lawyers cast more than 3.8 million votes evaluating firms nationwide. The process also included 109,963 client references and 1,053 interviews with law firm and practice group leaders.
Reflecting on the breadth of perspectives that inform the rankings, Valerie Smith, Senior Research Manager at Best Law Firms, explains, “Together, those perspectives show not only which firms are standing out, but how excellence takes shape across different practice areas and markets, from highly specialized local firms to those with a national presence. That is what makes Best Law Firms both a meaningful recognition and a trusted guide to the profession.”
The Practice Areas Leading National Recognition
Five practice areas lead in the number of unique firms receiving National Tier 1 recognition:
- Commercial Litigation
- Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
- Real Estate Law
- Litigation – Construction
- Construction Law
A comparison with the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America reveals two practice areas shared by both top-five lists. Commercial Litigation ranks first in each, while Real Estate Law also appears among the five most widely recognized practice areas in both editions.
The remaining areas differ. While the Best Law Firms results feature bankruptcy and construction-related practices, The Best Lawyers in America top five includes Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs, Corporate Law and Litigation – Labor and Employment.
Exploring the Factors Behind the Leading Practice Areas
Recent industry research highlights economic, regulatory and legal developments that may help explain the prominence of these five practice areas in National Tier 1 recognition:
AI and Cybersecurity Raise the Stakes in Commercial Litigation
Artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and shifting regulatory priorities continue to reshape commercial disputes. In its 2026 Annual Litigation Trends Survey, Norton Rose Fulbright found that 56% of corporate counsel respondents reported increased federal litigation exposure involving cybersecurity and data privacy, while 46% reported greater exposure involving AI. These risks extend beyond technology companies, as businesses across industries confront increasingly complex questions involving data protection, contractual obligations and regulatory compliance.
Rising Bankruptcy Filings Put Financial Restructuring in Focus
Rising bankruptcy filings underscore the financial challenges facing U.S. businesses. According to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, business bankruptcy filings climbed 11.4% during the 12 months ending March 31, 2026, reaching 25,960 cases. Higher borrowing costs and financial uncertainty can complicate debt obligations and restructuring decisions, making creditor negotiations, asset protection and insolvency proceedings important considerations for businesses navigating financial distress.
Real Estate Investment Rebounds Amid Market Uncertainty
Commercial real estate entered 2026 with signs of renewed investment activity, although performance continues to vary across property sectors and geographic markets. CBRE's 2026 U.S. Real Estate Market Outlook projected a 16% increase in commercial real estate investment activity, reaching approximately $562 billion. At the same time, financing conditions and changing demand for office, industrial and retail properties continue to influence transactions and development decisions. These shifts create legal considerations involving acquisitions, leasing, financing and property development.
Financial Pressures Fuel Construction Disputes
Financial pressures and contractual disagreements continue to complicate construction disputes. In an August 2026 analysis, the American Arbitration Association highlighted growing challenges involving project delays, payment obligations, contract termination and surety claims. Rising costs and unexpected project changes can intensify disagreements over responsibility and financial exposure, placing greater emphasis on clear contractual provisions, early communication and effective dispute resolution.
An Uneven Construction Market Reshapes Project Planning
Construction projects face a different set of challenges before disputes arise, particularly as financing constraints, labor shortages and material costs influence development plans. The American Institute of Architects' July 2026 construction forecast projected a 0.3% decline in nonresidential building spending for 2026, while anticipating stronger activity in sectors such as data centers and health care. These uneven conditions require developers, contractors and project owners to navigate contract negotiations, regulatory requirements, procurement decisions and risk allocation throughout the construction process.
Celebrating “Law Firm of the Year” Honorees in the Leading Practice Areas
The 2027 edition celebrates 62 firms honored with the “Law Firm of the Year” distinction across 74 national practice areas. Among these honorees are five firms recognized in the top five leading practice areas discussed above:
- Latham & Watkins LLP — Commercial Litigation
- Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones LLP — Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
- DLA Piper — Real Estate Law
- Peckar & Abramson PC — Litigation – Construction
- Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP — Construction Law
Explore the complete list of the 2027 “Law Firm of the Year” honorees.
What U.S. Law Firms Are Telling Us
Beyond the rankings, the 2027 Best Law Firms research offers a closer look at how U.S. law firms approach client relationships, marketing investment and emerging technologies. Three trends highlight the opportunities and challenges shaping their business practices.
1. Client Relationships Remain Strong, but Formal Feedback Lags
Established relationships remain central to law firm growth. Among firms answering the business development question, 94% identified word of mouth as a source of new business, while 58% of respondents to a separate question said returning clients or referrals account for at least half of their new work.
Formal client feedback, however, remains less common. Among those answering the question, only 16% regularly conduct client surveys, highlighting a gap between reliance on established relationships and structured efforts to understand client expectations.
Discussing this gap, Valerie Smith notes, “What stands out is how many firms depend on client loyalty without formally measuring it. Firms clearly recognize the importance of client service, but only one in six conducts regular feedback surveys. A more consistent listening process could help firms protect existing relationships and respond earlier when client expectations begin to shift.”
2. Marketing Investment Grows Faster Than Measurement
Marketing investment continues to increase among some U.S. law firms. Among respondents addressing marketing budgets, 31% reported increasing their spending in 2025. Larger firms were more likely to report increases, with 44% of firms employing 100 or more lawyers raising their budgets.
Measuring the impact of that investment remains a challenge. Only 40% of firms answering the marketing ROI question reported having systems to evaluate their return on investment, highlighting a gap between marketing investment and the ability to measure its effectiveness.
On the need to measure marketing results, Elizabeth Petit, SVP of Research & Product Strategy at Best Lawyers, explains, “Marketing budgets are growing, especially among larger firms, but the ability to evaluate that investment has not developed at the same pace. A budget increase is only part of the story; firms also need the strategy and measurement tools to understand which efforts are building relationships and generating meaningful opportunities.”
3. Generative AI Adoption Reveals a Growing Firm-Size Divide
Generative AI adoption continues to advance across the U.S. legal profession. Among respondents answering the adoption question, 35% reported piloting GenAI tools, while 28% had fully implemented the technology. Firm size also plays a role: full implementation reached 50% among firms with 100 or more lawyers, compared with 17% among firms with 10 to 49 lawyers.
Beyond adoption, GenAI is beginning to influence legal billing. Among GenAI-using firms answering the billing question, 25% reported reduced billable hours for certain tasks, raising questions about how firms translate efficiency gains into client value.
On the implications for pricing and client expectations, Smith observes, “Even at this stage, one in four GenAI-using firms reports reduced billable hours for certain tasks. That makes AI more than a technology issue. It is becoming a pricing and client-value question. Firms will need to be clear about how work is changing and how those efficiencies are reflected in the service clients receive.”
For additional insight into the trends shaping the U.S. legal profession, explore the Best Law Firms: Legal Market Report.
Best Law Firms Across International Markets
Beyond the United States, the 2027 Best Law Firms editions offer a broader perspective on legal excellence, highlighting how economic developments, regulatory changes and evolving client needs shape legal practice across international markets.
In Europe, the 2027 Best Law Firms™ – Germany results highlight corporate transactions, employment law and investment-related matters, while the 2027 Best Law Firms™ – Spain edition showcases taxation, mergers and acquisitions and corporate compliance. The 2027 Best Law Firms™ – France rankings reflect the importance of banking and finance, corporate law and litigation amid evolving financial oversight and regulatory demands.
In North America, the 2027 Best Law Firms™ – Canada results point to the prominence of corporate and commercial litigation, personal injury and employment law as firms navigate changes in insurance, workplace regulation and dispute resolution.
In Australia, the 2027 Best Law Firms™ – Australia rankings underscore the prominence of litigation, real property and commercial law, reflecting the country's diverse legal and business environment.
A Lasting Standard for U.S. Law Firms
The 2027 rankings reflect the breadth of talent across the American legal profession, from nationally recognized institutions to specialized firms serving their local communities.
As new technologies, client expectations and legal challenges reshape the industry, this year's honorees demonstrate the value of trusted counsel and strong professional relationships.
Congratulations to all firms recognized in this edition and to the legal professionals whose dedication and expertise have contributed to this achievement.
Explore the complete 2027 Best Law Firms rankings and discover this year's honorees.