Best Law Firms in the United States
Practice Areas
States
About the 2026 edition
The 16th annual Best Law Firm regional rankings showcase 10,850 Tier 1 firms, 8,990 Tier 2 firms and 5,800 Tier 3 firms, all offering a unique mix of practice area and jurisdictional focuses. Nationally, this edition also highlights 641 Tier 1 firms, 1,225 Tier 2 firms and 1,414 Tier 3 firms.
If you are currently seeking legal counsel or representation for your specific legal needs, refer to the Best Law Firms rankings page to help identify the firm that best suits your legal requirements.
The Legal Market Report 2026
Legal News from United States
Highlights
Our Best Law Firms dedicated research team first starts by evaluating top firms within specific practice areas, stacking them up against legal competitors in their respective metro regions.
For the United States, we researched 127 jurisdictional practice areas, 75 national practice areas and 188 distinct metro areas.
Through our extensive research process, Best Law Firms has also selected 68 firms in 74 practice areas for our “Law Firm of the Year” designations. These awards recognize one exceptional firm for their professional and legal excellence amongst their peers in a specific practice area.
Research Methodology
Established in 2009, Best Law Firms relies on our industry-vetted research methodology, analyzing the incoming feedback of clients, lawyers and firm leaders, along with firmographic details supplied by the firms themselves. Firms are eligible for Best Law Firms consideration after receiving individual professional recognition in The Best Lawyers in America®. The full details of our research process are available in our Methodology section.
This year’s rankings reflect our ongoing commitment to thorough and unbiased research. Our team conducted a meticulous review process, gathering evaluations and valuable data from leading attorneys and clients nationwide. By incorporating peer reviews, client feedback, leadership interviews and firm-submitted data, we have created a robust and reliable ranking system that spotlights firms demonstrating consistency and excellence in client services and professional integrity.
For the newest edition of Best Law Firms rankings in the United States, we received staggering levels of participation from firms, clients and lawyers throughout our extensive research process. The 2026 rankings incorporate 26 million evaluations of more than 129,000 individual leading lawyers from more than 24,000 firms.
A Note from Research
I am honored to present the 16th edition of Best Law Firms. For more than a decade, these rankings have stood as one of the most trusted and comprehensive resources for identifying excellence in the legal profession. They serve as a vital guide for clients seeking exceptional counsel and for firms striving to distinguish themselves through integrity, innovation and outstanding results. This year’s edition recognizes firms that exemplify the highest standards of professional achievement—organizations that demonstrate exceptional expertise, leadership and commitment to their clients. From nationally recognized leaders to highly specialized boutiques, each ranked firm contributes meaningfully to advancing the practice of law in the United States. I extend my sincere gratitude to the thousands of attorneys and clients who participated in our research process. Your insight and engagement continue to strengthen the integrity and value of our rankings, ensuring they remain an accurate reflection of the profession’s best. As we celebrate this milestone 16th edition, we remain committed to delivering trusted, data-driven insights that empower both clients and firms. We hope this guide continues to serve as a cornerstone for those seeking superior legal representation and as a testament to the enduring excellence of the U.S. legal community.
Upcoming Research
We will begin researching for the 17th edition of the Best Law Firms awards in January 2026. Our global research timelines are available online. To receive a research submission packet, contact us at bestlawfirms@bestlawyers.com.
