For aspiring law students preparing for the LSAT, understanding the landscape of the top law firms in the US provides valuable insight into the profession you’re working toward. These firms shape major areas of the legal industry—corporate law, litigation, financial regulation, intellectual property, emerging technologies, and more. By learning about the largest and most influential firms now, LSAT takers can better anticipate the career paths available after law school, the skills top employers value, and the types of high-profile cases that shape modern legal practice.
This guide highlights the top law firms in the US, including the well-known “Big Three” law firms—Kirkland & Ellis, Latham & Watkins, and Skadden, Arps—along with two additional firms whose reputations and impact consistently place them among the nation’s elite.
Key Takeaways
- Kirkland & Ellis, Latham & Watkins, and Skadden, Arps make up the “Big Three” law firms, known for their revenue, influence, and global reach.
- Kirkland & Ellis is the highest-earning law firm in the US, driven by its strength in corporate law, private equity, and major litigation matters.
- Latham & Watkins and Skadden stand out for their international presence, complex litigation, and high-profile wins, including Supreme Court victories.
- Wachtell Lipton remains a leader in mergers and acquisitions and corporate governance, frequently shaping landmark decisions in the legal and financial markets.
- Sidley Austin blends institutional influence with strong appellate advocacy, regulatory expertise, and a significant presence in Supreme Court and policy-driven matters.
1. Kirkland & Ellis LLP — “The Corporate Titan”
Kirkland & Ellis is widely recognized as one of the top law firms in the US, a global law firm with unmatched strength in corporate law, private equity, and high-stakes commercial litigation. With annual revenue exceeding $8.8 billion, it is the highest-paid law firm in the US, a reflection of both its deep client base and its ability to handle some of the most complex legal work in the industry.
Signature Practice Areas
- Corporate law and private equity
- White-collar defense
- Complex commercial litigation
- Restructuring
Notable Clients & High-Profile Matters
Kirkland & Ellis has represented some of the world’s most recognized companies in major litigation matters, including:
- BP regarding claims tied to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill
- Volkswagen during the global emissions scandal
- General Motors in the ignition switch litigation
- Boeing in matters related to the 737 MAX disasters
While the firm is known for representing multinational corporations, Kirkland also demonstrates a strong pro bono commitment. Its attorneys have advocated for:
- Separated families and asylum seekers affected by the Trump administration’s family-separation policy
- Immigrant teens held in ICE detention centers
- Alumni and supporters of Maryland’s HBCUs in a 15-year discrimination battle against the state
Why It Stands Out
Kirkland’s influence across the legal industry, dominance in capital markets and private equity, and representation of high-profile clients make it one of the most powerful firms in the global legal community.
2. Latham & Watkins LLP — “The Global Problem-Solver”
Latham & Watkins is a truly international firm with exceptional reach across financial institutions, emerging technologies, commercial law, and government affairs. Its ability to manage matters across borders makes it one of the top law firms for multinational corporations.
Signature Practice Areas
- Capital markets
- M&A and private equity
- Regulatory and government affairs
- Environmental and energy law
- Litigation and appellate work
Notable Clients & Impactful Cases
Latham regularly handles landmark matters, including:
- Representing StubHub and Silver Lake in major corporate transactions
- Advising on high-value acquisitions in the tech and entertainment sectors
- Securing a unanimous U.S. Supreme Court victory for a teenage student with disabilities (Ava Tharpe), expanding protections under the ADA and Rehabilitation Act
Latham’s Supreme Court win is especially noteworthy—its legal advocacy overturned a uniquely restrictive lower-court standard, strengthening civil rights protections for students with disabilities nationwide.
Why It Stands Out
Latham’s global reach, versatility across major practice areas, and willingness to take on meaningful pro bono causes set it apart as a firm committed not only to client success but also to systemic legal progress.
3. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP — “The Litigation Powerhouse”
Skadden—one of the most prestigious law firms in the world—is synonymous with elite litigation, corporate governance, and cross-border legal matters. Known for handling some of the most complex disputes on the planet, Skadden remains a dominant force in both the US and international legal markets.
Signature Practice Areas
- Complex litigation
- White-collar defense
- Securities and governance
- International disputes
- Corporate transactions
Notable Clients & Landmark Cases
Skadden’s history includes highly publicized litigation and precedent-setting Supreme Court work:
- Kelly v. United States (“Bridgegate”) — major Supreme Court victory
- Caniglia v. Strom — pro bono work protecting homeowners’ privacy
- Reed v. Goertz — pro bono representation for a death-row inmate
- Defense of CME Group in class-action litigation
- Representation of the NFL, Lionel Messi, and Meta in major disputes
- International representation of Ukraine’s government under Viktor Yanukovych (later settled)
Why It Stands Out
Few firms can match Skadden’s reputation in high-impact litigation and corporate law. Its mix of elite advocacy, wide-ranging practice areas, and deep influence across the legal community solidifies its status among the top law firms in the US.
4. Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz — “The M&A Strategist”
Wachtell Lipton is one of the most respected and selective firms in the United States, known for extraordinary profitability and unmatched expertise in high-stakes corporate matters. It is especially dominant in mergers and acquisitions, shareholder rights, and corporate governance.
Signature Practice Areas
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Corporate governance
- Antitrust
- Strategic financial transactions
Notable Clients & Historic Cases
Wachtell has been central to some of the most influential commercial law decisions in history:
- Representing Chrysler, Texaco, and Philip Morris in major disputes
- Leading negotiations for the World Trade Center redevelopment after 9/11
- Litigating landmark Delaware corporate governance cases, including
- Moran v. Household International (upholding the poison pill)
- Paramount v. Time
- Air Products v. Airgas
In the 2020s, Wachtell has represented:
- Capital One in its $35.3B acquisition of Discover
- OpenAI in the largest private tech fundraising round in history
Why It Stands Out
Wachtell remains committed to strategic, high-stakes corporate work. Its influence on governance and M&A makes it indispensable in shaping the modern legal and financial landscape.
5. Sidley Austin LLP — “The Institutional Influencer”
Sidley Austin combines a long-standing reputation with a broad practice footprint, serving clients in litigation, corporate law, regulatory matters, and appellate advocacy. Known for producing notable alumni—including Barack and Michelle Obama and J.D. Vance—Sidley occupies a unique space in the legal and political ecosystem.
Signature Practice Areas
- Supreme Court and appellate litigation
- Regulatory and administrative law
- Corporate and transactional work
- International trade
- White-collar and investigations
Notable Clients & Major Cases
Sidley is involved in several high-impact matters:
- Representing Monsanto in Roundup-related product liability claims
- Defending Huawei in criminal fraud and sanctions cases
- Representing the Big 12 Conference in complex antitrust litigation
- Significant pro bono work, including efforts to help return Bruce’s Beach to its rightful owners
- Notable appellate work, such as Utility Air Regulatory Group v. EPA, highlighting the firm’s deep influence in the Supreme Court
Why It Stands Out
Sidley’s combination of political influence, appellate advocacy, and major corporate representation gives it a distinctive role in the legal industry. It is a firm that blends legacy, expertise, and a strong commitment to both client services and public-interest work.
Final Thoughts
For LSAT takers beginning their legal journey, learning about the top law firms in the US offers a clearer view of the professional world ahead. These firms set standards for client service, legal innovation, and the kinds of complex matters new attorneys may one day work on, from international disputes to regulatory challenges and landmark litigation. While the LSAT is only your first step, having a sense of the industry’s leading players can help you enter law school with purpose, explore practice areas more intentionally, and envision the long-term possibilities of a legal career.
FAQs
Exploring leading law firms helps future law students understand major practice areas, career paths, and the type of work they may encounter after earning a JD.
Not exclusively. While many hires come from highly ranked schools, excellent grades, strong writing skills, and relevant experience can open Big Law doors at a wide range of institutions.
Understanding the largest and most influential firms can help you identify practice areas that interest you, choose supporting coursework, and make informed networking and internship decisions.
Indirectly. A strong LSAT score can help you gain admission to a competitive law school, where grades, journal work, and summer associate positions lead to top-firm opportunities. A top LSAT prep course can help improve your score.
Many students start researching corporate law, litigation, intellectual property, commercial law, and regulatory work—areas where top firms handle high-profile, influential cases.
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