Overview

McDermott Will & Schulte is an international law firm serving businesses, institutions and individuals across a wide range of legal matters. With offices throughout the United States and Europe, including Chicago, New York, London, Paris, Frankfurt and Washington, D.C., the firm advises clients on complex transactions, regulatory concerns, litigation and industry-specific challenges. Since first earning attorney recognition in 1983, the firm has continued to build a broad legal practice shaped by changing markets and evolving client needs.

The firm is known for its work in corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, banking and finance, tax law, health care law, intellectual property and high-stakes litigation. Its attorneys also counsel clients in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence law, fintech, privacy and data security, biotechnology and life sciences. McDermott Will & Schulte represents clients ranging from growing companies to multinational organizations, helping them navigate business decisions, disputes and regulatory matters with practical legal guidance.

McDermott Will & Schulte has earned recognition across numerous practice areas in Best Law Firms rankings, including bankruptcy and restructuring, employment law, real estate law, securities regulation, patent law, antitrust law and international trade and finance law. The firm also has 357 lawyers recognized by Best Lawyers, reflecting peer-reviewed acknowledgment across a broad range of legal disciplines.

Clients turn to McDermott Will & Schulte for counsel that is strategic, business-minded and tailored to the industries they serve. Whether handling cross-border transactions, intellectual property disputes, health care compliance or complex commercial litigation, the firm focuses on delivering clear legal solutions that align with each client’s long-term objectives.

Magnifying glass with star icon
Practice Areas:
14
Person outline with Best Lawyers logo
Best Lawyers Recognized:
225

Rankings

"Law Firm of the Year" Awards

Star inside a segmented circle
2026 "Law Firm of the Year"
Tax Law

National

Tier
1
National Ranking
Antitrust Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Banking and Finance Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice
Tier
1
National Ranking
Corporate Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Criminal Defense: White-Collar

Regional

Atlanta

Tier
1
Atlanta
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Tier
1
Atlanta
Corporate Law
Tier
1
Atlanta
Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
Tier
1
Atlanta
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Tier
2
Atlanta
Litigation - Intellectual Property
Tier
2
Atlanta
Litigation - Patent

Rankings

"Law Firm of the Year" Awards

Star inside a segmented circle
2026 "Law Firm of the Year"
Tax Law

National

Tier
1
National Ranking
Antitrust Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Banking and Finance Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice
Tier
1
National Ranking
Corporate Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Tier
1
National Ranking
Derivatives and Futures Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Employment Law - Management
Tier
1
National Ranking
Energy Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Health Care Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Insurance Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Labor Law - Management
Tier
1
National Ranking
Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Litigation - Antitrust
Tier
1
National Ranking
Litigation - Intellectual Property
Tier
1
National Ranking
Litigation - Labor and Employment
Tier
1
National Ranking
Litigation - Patent
Tier
1
National Ranking
Litigation - Real Estate
Tier
1
National Ranking
Litigation - Securities
Tier
1
National Ranking
Litigation and Controversy - Tax
Tier
1
National Ranking
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Oil and Gas Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Patent Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Private Funds / Hedge Funds Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Real Estate Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Tax Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Trademark Law
Tier
1
National Ranking
Trusts and Estates
Tier
2
National Ranking
Immigration Law
Tier
2
National Ranking
Litigation - Bankruptcy
Tier
2
National Ranking
Litigation - ERISA
Tier
2
National Ranking
Natural Resources Law
Tier
2
National Ranking
Project Finance Law
Tier
2
National Ranking
Securitization and Structured Finance Law
Tier
3
National Ranking
Financial Services Regulation Law
Tier
3
National Ranking
Information Technology Law
Tier
3
National Ranking
International Trade and Finance Law
Tier
3
National Ranking
Securities Regulation

Regional

Atlanta

Tier
1
Atlanta
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Tier
1
Atlanta
Corporate Law
Tier
1
Atlanta
Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
Tier
1
Atlanta
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Tier
2
Atlanta
Litigation - Intellectual Property
Tier
2
Atlanta
Litigation - Patent
Tier
3
Atlanta
Litigation - Construction

Austin

Tier
1
Austin
Litigation - Intellectual Property
Tier
1
Austin
Litigation - Patent
Tier
1
Austin
Patent Law
Tier
1
Austin
Trademark Law
Tier
2
Austin
Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice

Boston

Tier
1
Boston
Bet-the-Company Litigation
Tier
1
Boston
Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice
Tier
1
Boston
Commercial Litigation
Tier
1
Boston
Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Tier
1
Boston
Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Tier
1
Boston
Health Care Law
Tier
1
Boston
Litigation - Health Care
Tier
1
Boston
Litigation - Intellectual Property
Tier
1
Boston
Litigation - Patent
Tier
1
Boston
Patent Law
Tier
1
Boston
Privacy and Data Security Law
Tier
1
Boston
Tax Law
Tier
2
Boston
Employment Law - Individuals
Tier
2
Boston
Employment Law - Management
Tier
2
Boston
Nonprofit / Charities Law

Chicago

Tier
1
Chicago
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Tier
1
Chicago
Bet-the-Company Litigation
Tier
1
Chicago
Commercial Litigation
Tier
1
Chicago
Corporate Law
Tier
1
Chicago
Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Tier
1
Chicago
Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Tier
1
Chicago
Employment Law - Management
Tier
1
Chicago
Health Care Law
Tier
1
Chicago
Litigation - Health Care
Tier
1
Chicago
Litigation - Intellectual Property
Tier
1
Chicago
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Tier
1
Chicago
Tax Law
Tier
1
Chicago
Trademark Law
Tier
1
Chicago
Trusts and Estates
Tier
2
Chicago
Banking and Finance Law
Tier
2
Chicago
Insurance Law
Tier
2
Chicago
Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
Tier
2
Chicago
Litigation - Antitrust
Tier
2
Chicago
Litigation - Bankruptcy
Tier
2
Chicago
Litigation - ERISA
Tier
2
Chicago
Litigation - Securities
Tier
2
Chicago
Litigation - Trusts and Estates
Tier
2
Chicago
Patent Law
Tier
3
Chicago
Privacy and Data Security Law

Dallas/Fort Worth

Tier
1
Dallas/Fort Worth
Appellate Practice
Tier
1
Dallas/Fort Worth
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Tier
1
Dallas/Fort Worth
Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Tier
1
Dallas/Fort Worth
Information Technology Law
Tier
1
Dallas/Fort Worth
International Mergers and Acquisitions
Tier
1
Dallas/Fort Worth
Litigation - Bankruptcy
Tier
1
Dallas/Fort Worth
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Tier
2
Dallas/Fort Worth
Corporate Law
Tier
2
Dallas/Fort Worth
Litigation - Intellectual Property

Houston

Tier
1
Houston
Natural Resources Law
Tier
1
Houston
Oil and Gas Law
Tier
1
Houston
Tax Law
Tier
2
Houston
Litigation and Controversy - Tax

Los Angeles

Tier
1
Los Angeles
Banking and Finance Law
Tier
1
Los Angeles
Commercial Litigation
Tier
1
Los Angeles
Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Tier
1
Los Angeles
Employment Law - Management
Tier
1
Los Angeles
Health Care Law
Tier
1
Los Angeles
Litigation - Health Care
Tier
1
Los Angeles
Litigation - Labor and Employment
Tier
1
Los Angeles
Litigation - Trusts and Estates
Tier
1
Los Angeles
Trusts and Estates
Tier
2
Los Angeles
Project Finance Law
Tier
2
Los Angeles
Securitization and Structured Finance Law
Tier
3
Los Angeles
Real Estate Law

Miami

Tier
1
Miami
Commercial Finance Law
Tier
1
Miami
Corporate Law
Tier
1
Miami
Health Care Law
Tier
1
Miami
International Mergers and Acquisitions
Tier
1
Miami
Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
Tier
1
Miami
Litigation - Health Care
Tier
1
Miami
Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
Tier
1
Miami
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Tier
1
Miami
Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
Tier
1
Miami
Real Estate Law
Tier
1
Miami
Tax Law
Tier
1
Miami
Trusts and Estates
Tier
2
Miami
Commercial Litigation
Tier
2
Miami
Criminal Defense: White-Collar

Nashville

Tier
1
Nashville
Health Care Law
Tier
2
Nashville
Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
Tier
2
Nashville
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Tier
3
Nashville
Corporate Governance Law

New York City

Tier
1
New York City
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Tier
1
New York City
Commercial Litigation
Tier
1
New York City
Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Tier
1
New York City
Derivatives and Futures Law
Tier
1
New York City
Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Tier
1
New York City
Employment Law - Management
Tier
1
New York City
Energy Law
Tier
1
New York City
Health Care Law
Tier
1
New York City
Insurance Law
Tier
1
New York City
Labor Law - Management
Tier
1
New York City
Litigation - Bankruptcy
Tier
1
New York City
Litigation - Labor and Employment
Tier
1
New York City
Litigation - Real Estate
Tier
1
New York City
Litigation - Trusts and Estates
Tier
1
New York City
Litigation and Controversy - Tax
Tier
1
New York City
Private Funds / Hedge Funds Law
Tier
1
New York City
Real Estate Law
Tier
1
New York City
Tax Law
Tier
1
New York City
Trusts and Estates
Tier
2
New York City
Antitrust Law
Tier
2
New York City
Immigration Law
Tier
2
New York City
Litigation - Securities
Tier
2
New York City
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Tier
2
New York City
Securitization and Structured Finance Law
Tier
3
New York City
Financial Services Regulation Law
Tier
3
New York City
International Arbitration - Commercial

San Francisco

Tier
1
San Francisco
Employment Law - Management
Tier
1
San Francisco
Labor Law - Management
Tier
1
San Francisco
Tax Law
Tier
1
San Francisco
Trusts and Estates

San Jose

Tier
1
San Jose
Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice
Tier
1
San Jose
Corporate Law
Tier
1
San Jose
Litigation - Intellectual Property
Tier
1
San Jose
Litigation - Patent
Tier
1
San Jose
Patent Law
Tier
1
San Jose
Trusts and Estates

Washington, D.C.

Tier
1
Washington, D.C.
Antitrust Law
Tier
1
Washington, D.C.
Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Tier
1
Washington, D.C.
Energy Law
Tier
1
Washington, D.C.
Energy Regulatory Law
Tier
1
Washington, D.C.
Health Care Law
Tier
1
Washington, D.C.
Insurance Law
Tier
1
Washington, D.C.
International Trade and Finance Law
Tier
1
Washington, D.C.
Litigation - Antitrust
Tier
1
Washington, D.C.
Litigation - Trusts and Estates
Tier
1
Washington, D.C.
Tax Law
Tier
1
Washington, D.C.
Trusts and Estates
Tier
2
Washington, D.C.
Litigation - Insurance
Tier
2
Washington, D.C.
Litigation - Labor and Employment
Tier
2
Washington, D.C.
Litigation - Patent
Tier
2
Washington, D.C.
Litigation and Controversy - Tax
Tier
2
Washington, D.C.
Trademark Law
Tier
3
Washington, D.C.
Commercial Litigation
Tier
3
Washington, D.C.
Litigation - Securities
Tier
3
Washington, D.C.
Securities Regulation

Wilmington-DE

Tier
1
Wilmington-DE
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law

Practice Areas

McDermott Will & Schulte has been ranked by Best Law Firms for excellence in 56 specialties, reflecting the firm's commitment to delivering outstanding legal services.
Additionally, the firm provides services in these practice areas:
  • Antitrust
  • Artificial Intelligence Law
  • Business and Succession Planning
  • Corporate
  • Data Security
  • Employment
  • Government Contracts
  • Intellectual Property
  • Litigation
  • Lobbying
  • Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Real Estate
  • Tax Law
  • White Collar Criminal Defense

Individuals Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®

McDermott Will & Schulte proudly has 225 lawyers recognized for their outstanding professional performance in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. This peer-reviewed honor highlights individual excellence and directly qualifies the firm for consideration in the prestigious Best Law Firms rankings. For over four decades, Best Lawyers has been the gold standard for recognizing top legal talent, serving as the cornerstone for Best Law Firms awards. Learn more about our rigorous Best Lawyers research and selection process.
Spinning circle
{{ practiceAreaName }}
{{ lawyer.FirstName[0] }}{{ lawyer.LastName[0] }}
{{ lawyer.Locations[0].City }}{{lawyer.Locations[0].StateCode ? ', ' + lawyer.Locations[0].StateCode : '' }}

Best Law Firms Insights

Spinning circle
AI Governance Gap: When Legal and Comms Don't Align
When Legal Sets the Policy and Comms Inherits the Crisis
How the gap between legal and communications is becoming one of the most expensive problems in AI governance.
When Legal Sets the Policy and Comms Inherits the Crisis
private equity personal injury law firm card
Will Personal Injury Firms Be Private Equity’s Next Target?
As PE investment accelerates, personal injury firms are primed for disruption.
Will Personal Injury Firms Be Private Equity’s Next Target?

Offices & Contacts

Irvine, CA
18565 Jamboree Road, Suite 250
Irvine, CA 92612-2565
United States
Los Angeles, CA
2049 Century Park East, Suite 3200
Los Angeles, CA 90067-3206
United States
Menlo Park, CA
650 Live Oak Avenue, Suite 300
Menlo Park, CA 94025-4885
United States
San Diego, CA
San Francisco, CA
415 Mission Street, Suite 5600
San Francisco, CA 94105-2616
United States
Washington, DC
Washington, DC
The McDermott Building
500 North Capitol Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001-1531
United States
Wilmington, DE
The Brandywine Building, Suite 1400
1000 North West Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
United States
Boca Raton, FL
120 East Palmetto Park Road, Suite 400
Boca Raton, FL 33486
United States
Miami, FL
333 Southeast Second Avenue, Suite 4500
Miami, FL 33131-2184
United States
Atlanta, GA
1180 Peachtree Street, NE
Suite 3350
Atlanta, GA 30309
United States
Chicago, IL
Boston, MA
200 Clarendon Street, Floor 58
Boston, MA 02116-5021
United States
New York, NY
Nashville, TN
222 Second Avenue South
Suite 1840
Nashville, TN 37201
United States
Austin, TX
Dallas, TX
2801 North Harwood Street, Suite 2600
Dallas, TX 75201
United States
Houston, TX
Texas Tower, Suite 4000
845 Texas Avenue
Houston, TX 77002-1656
United States
Find the Best Law Firms
Search for a Law Firm
Search our directory of over 16,000 firms across the Globe.
Search
Is Your Law Firm Ranked?
Enhance your firm's reputation and visibility with our marketing opportunities.
Marketing Opportunities
Ranked Practice Areas
See the practice areas included in our Best Law Firms research.
Practice Areas