Top 10 Most Esteemed Law Firms in Northern California - The Vault List
 Top 15 Largest Law Firms In The World by Number of Attorneys & Offices |
 Top 15 Most Prestigious Law Firms In The US |
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There are 74,077 Law Firms in California in 2023. The number of Law Firms in California has grown 1.5% per year on average over the five years between 2018 - 2023.
Los Angeles County (7,659 businesses), San Francisco Bay Area (4,556 businesses) and Orange County (2,621 businesses) are the States with the most number of Law Firms in California.
Northern California is home to a large number of prestigious law firms in California. Vault has provided a list of best law firms in Northern California. Let’s see details of these firms, why they are ranked the best as well as their overview.
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Top 10 Most Prestigious Law Firms In Northern California
1. Cooley
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Headquarters: 3175 Hanover Street Palo Alto
Website: cooley.com
Phone: (650) 843-5000
Chairman & CEO: Joe Conroy
Overview: Cooley is the go-to firm for startups and early-stage companies looking for cutting-edge work with innovative clients. The firm is also well-known for its work with biotechnology and technology firms. Cooley has a highly social culture in 17 global offices, which will undoubtedly appeal to affable personalities, as well as a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Rankings and awards:
#19 Vault Law 100
#1 Best Law Firms in Northern California
#1 Best Law Firms for Privacy & Data Security
US News national ranking: No 1 in Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
No 1 in Biotechnology Law
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2. Morrison & Foerster
Headquarters: 425 Market Street San Francisco
Website: mofo.com
Phone: (415) 268-7000
Overview: Excellent work is expected at MoFo, but as the name implies, the firm—and its lawyers—don't take themselves too seriously. MoFo, which has 17 global offices and over 1,000 attorneys, excels in many practice areas, including intellectual property and privacy, and is a standout in pro bono, assisting in a wide range of matters. Diversity and related initiatives are also important at MoFo, as DEI activities can be counted toward work hours.
Rankings and awards:
#24 Vault Law 100
#2 Best Law Firms in Northern California
#4 Best Law Firms for Privacy & Data Security
Best Law Firms for Women, 2021—Seramount
Top Firms for Diverse Leadership, 2021—Yale Law Women
California Regional Powerhouse, 2021—Law360
3.Wilson Sonsini
Headquarters: 650 Page Mill Road Palo Alto
Website: wsgr.com
Phone: (650) 493-9300
Board Chair: Katharine Martin
Overview: Wilson Sonsini is a go-to firm for clients in the technology industry because it is a leader in venture capital work and a top ranked firm for intellectual property. The firm's lawyers have an entrepreneurial mindset and strike the right balance of hard work and affability. Wilson Sonsini is the leading provider of legal services to technology and life sciences clients, with a history deeply rooted in the evolution of Silicon Valley.
Rankings and awards:
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati is nationally ranked in 21 practice areas and regionally ranked in 46 practice areas.
#31 Vault Law 100
#2 Best Law Firms for Emerging Companies & Venture Capital
#3 Best Law Firms in Northern California
| Top 15 Largest Law Firms In The World by Number of Attorneys & Offices |
4. Latham & Watkins
Headquarters: 1271 Avenue of the Americas New York
Website: lw.com
Phone: (212) 906-1200
Overview: With over 3,000 lawyers in 15 countries, the firm is a global leader in dozens of practice areas and recruits the best of the best. This globalization enables Latham to provide the best legal resources to clients regardless of location. Those looking for the freedom to shape their own practice, as well as extensive training and support, will be pleased with the opportunities available at this legal behemoth.
Rankings and awards:
#5 Vault Law 100
#1 Best Law Firms in Southern California
#2 Best Law Firms for Antitrust
For 19th consecutive year, Latham named to Am Law’s exclusive A List, 2021—The American Lawyer
Latham named Law Firm of the Year, as well as Practice Group of the Year for Capital Markets, Energy, Intellectual Property, M&A, Tax and White Collar, 2021—Law360
5. Fenwick
Headquarters: 801 California Street Mountain View
Website: fenwick.com
Phone: (650) 988-8500
Overview: Since its inception in Silicon Valley in 1972, Fenwick & West has established itself as a go-to firm for technology and life sciences companies. Apple, Meta, Amazon, and eBay have used the firm's corporate, M&A, intellectual property, and IPO expertise. Attorneys choose Fenwick not only for its sophisticated work, but also for its understanding of the value of work-life balance. The company provides access to vacation condos in exotic locations.
Rankings and awards:
National Public Service Award, 2022 – American Bar Association Business Law Section
Best Place to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality, 2022 – Corporate Equality Index, Human Rights Campaign Foundation
Best Place to Work in the Bay Area, 2022 – Silicon Valley Business Journal
Top 100 Best Places to Work in New York, 2021 – Crain’s New York
Law Firm of the Year finalist, 2021 – The American Lawyer
#1 law firm, 2021 – Corporate Ranking Index, The American Lawyer
6. Orrick
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Headquarters: 51 West 52nd Street New York
Website: orrick.com
Phone: (212) 506-5000
Overview: Orrick is all about innovation, from its energy and technology clients to its impactful wellness initiatives to its cutting-edge technology tools. Associates who are approachable, collaborative, and forward-thinking will thrive at this forward-thinking firm. Orrick is a legal powerhouse with offices in over 25 markets across the United States, Europe, and Asia. It is committed to pro bono, diversity, and competitive compensation.
Rankings and awards:
#33 Vault Law 100
#1 Best Law Firms for Clean Tech/Renewable Energy Law
#2 Best Law Firms for Compensation
7. Kirkland & Ellis
Headquarters: 300 North LaSalle Chicago
Website: Kirkland.com
Founder: Robert R. McCormick
Phone: (312) 862-2000
Overview: Kirkland & Ellis is one of the most successful Law firms in the world. It now has over 100 years of practice experience, employs more than 3,000 attorneys, has over 15 offices worldwide and is the best Law firm in the world based on the revenue it has generated over the past few years.
Rankings and awards:
With 3,025 attorneys, Kirkland & Ellis is ranked fifth in the US in the National Law Journal's 2022 NLJ 500 ranking of firms according to size. Based on its 2022 Am Law 200 list revenue of $6,042,000,000, the firm was ranked #1 by The American Lawyer. According to the 2022 Global 200 survey, Kirkland & Ellis is the highest-earning law firm in the world.
Benchmark Litigation has rated Kirkland as a tier 1 firm in the areas of appellate, bankruptcy, commercial, antitrust, intellectual property, and securities litigation. In addition, U.S. News and World Report ranks Kirkland as a tier 1 firm across 24 practice areas in the United States. According to Vault Law 100, Kirkland is ranked sixth in the world.
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8. Gibson Dunn
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Headquarters: 333 South Grand Avenue Los Angeles
Website: gibsondunn.com
Phone: (213) 229-7000
Overview: With 20 worldwide offices, Gibson Dunn is a V10 firm with an impressive clientele and practice. It is a corporate law force, a litigation powerhouse, and an appellate all-star. Go-getters who will flourish in the company's free-market system and blend in with the polished, welcoming culture are drawn to Gibson. Gibson Dunn offers a wide range of exciting opportunities for attorneys who wish to fulfill billable hours while doing pro bono work.
Rankings and awards:
#10 Vault Law 100
#1 Best Law Firms for Appellate Litigation
#1 Best Law Firms in the Mountain States
9. Skadden
Headquarters: One Manhattan West New York
Website: skadden.com
Phone: (212) 735-3000
Overview: Skadden, also known as Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates, is a relatively new law firm founded in 1948 in New York by three of its name partners: Marshall Skadden, Les Arps, and John Slate. Despite facing stiff competition from more established law firms in its early days, Skadden evolved as a legal powerhouse in the 1980s, becoming one of the largest law firms in the United States.
Rankings and awards:
Based on revenue, Skadden ranked as the fourth-largest law firm in 2016. But in 2019, it dropped two spots to take sixth place. In terms of profits per equity partner (PPEP) in 2021, Skadden is ranked 14th out of US-based law firms, behind Paul Weiss, Latham & Watkins, and Cravath.
10. Goodwin
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Headquarters: 100 Northern Avenue Boston
Website: goodwinlaw.com
Phone: (617) 570-1000
Chairman: Robert S. Insolia
Overview: Goodwin has established itself as a global legal name, employing over 1,800 lawyers across 14 offices. Among other things, the firm is particularly strong in corporate law and real estate. Candidates looking for a firm that values associate development will likely feel at home at Goodwin.
Rankings and awards:
#1 Firm for Global M&A by Deal Count, 2021—Refinitiv
Biotechnology Law Firm of the Year, 2022—Best Lawyers
Mansfield Rule 4.0 Certified, 2021—Diversity Lab
Best Client-Law Firm Team, 2021—The American Lawyer
Private Equity Law Firm of the Year in France, 2021—Private Equity Magazine
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