Top 10 Most Prestigious Law Firms In New York By Vault
 Top 15 Most Prestigious Law Firms In The World |
 Top 15 Most Prestigious Law Firms In The US |
 |
| Top 10 Most Prestigious Law Firms In New York By Vault. Photo KnowInsiders |
Many law students and lawyers have long wished to work in New York, the city that never sleeps (especially if they wind up as Biglaw associates). New York law firms are regarded as the legal profession's crown jewels, and it is in New York that firms typically set the stage for Biglaw salaries and bonuses across the country. But which firm is regarded as the most prestigious in New York?
It's worth noting that several of New York's most prestigious law firms are known as compensation leaders, with Cravath, Skadden, and Simpson Thacher each being the first to announce bonuses over the years, and Cravath and Davis Polk both raising the stakes on associate salaries in recent years.
| How many law businesses are there in 2023 in New York? As of 2023, there are 48,904 Law Firms in New York, a 2% increase from 2022. Has the number of Law Firms in New York increased or decreased over the last five years? The number of law businesses in New York increased by 2.0% per year on average between 2018 and 2023. Which States have the highest number of law businesses in New York? Hudson Valley (5,670 businesses), Syracuse/Central Region (2,839 businesses) and Northern New York (1,695 businesses) are the States with the most number of Law Firms in New York. |
Vault provided a list of 40 best firms in New York. Let’s discover which ones are the best?
Top 10 Most Prestigious Law Firms In New York
1. Cravath, Swaine & Moore
Address: Worldwide Plaza 825 Eighth Avenue, New York
Phone number: (212) 474-1000
Website: cravath.com
Overview: Cravath remains a leanly staffed, relatively small business with headquarters in New York City and only one other small London office, despite its famous history extending back to 1819. (with plans to build a Washington office in the fall of 2022 and plans to open a DC office in the fall of 2022). Associates are not required to bill by the hour, but they bill among the most hours of any top firm. The firm implements a unique work rotation approach that allows for smaller, cooperative teams, tight mentoring, substantial responsibility, and quick learning for employees.
Rankings by US News:
National Rankings
Tier 1 in Antitrust Law
Tier 1 in Appellate Practice
Tier 1 in Banking and Finance Law
Tier 1 in Commercial Litigation
Regional Rankings-New York City
Tier 1 in Antitrust Law
Tier 1 in Appellate Practice
Tier 1 in Banking and Finance Law
Tier 1 in Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
READ MORE: Top 15 Most Prestigious Law Firms In The World
2. Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
 |
Address: 51 West 52nd St. New York
Website: wlrk.com
Overview: In the New York City area, Wachtell Lipton is the go-to legal firm for mergers and acquisitions. At Wachtell Lipton, you'll find a dedicated team of attorneys who place a premium on hard work and professionalism, and who are rewarded handsomely for their efforts in high-profile cases. The firm is very small compared to other prominent BigLaw firms, which helps maintain a positive work environment, and it has refused to open any further offices outside of New York.
Rankings and awards:
Vault Law 100: Best Law Firms for Mergers & Acquisitions;Most Selective Law Firms
American Lawyer Dealmakers of the Year, 2022 – Steven Rosenblum, Elina Tetelbaum, Raaj Narayan.
Benchmark Litigation Bill Savitt inducted into Benchmark Litigation’s Hall of Fame.
Bloomberg Law – They’ve got Next: Antitrust Fresh Face – Christina Ma.
Bloomberg Law – They’ve Got Next 40 Under 40 – Ryan McLeod.
3. Davis Polk & Wardwell
Address: 450 Lexington Avenue New York
Website: davispolk.com
Phone number: (212) 450-4000
Overview: Davis Polk is a corporate law behemoth and a securities litigation powerhouse that ranks among the world's most elite law firms. The fact that the firm is staffed by attorneys with good work ethics who are committed to supporting and mentoring one another is a mark of its professionalism. Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP has one of the country's strongest and most comprehensive corporate departments, with exceptional teams in capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, finance, restructuring, and tax.
Rankings and awards:
Vault Law 100: Best Law Firms for Banking & Financial Services; Best Law Firms for Securities/Capital Markets
Gold Standard Firm, 2020—Women in Law Empowerment Forum
Capital Markets Team of the Year, 2020—IFLR1000United States Awards
Restructuring Firm of the Year, 2020—The Deal
4. Skadden
Address: One Manhattan West New York
Website: skadden.com
Phone number: (212) 735-3000
Overview: While looking for new employees, Skadden places a premium on those who have excelled academically and have personalities that mesh well with the firm's dynamic culture. Partners and associates enjoy a friendly and open relationship that extends beyond the workplace. Associates appreciate the many exit alternatives afforded by Skadden through the alumni network, notwithstanding the firm's questionable partnership prospects. Although they want for more openness and communication from the company on internal promotions, associates are appreciative of the partners' dedication to their professional growth. New associates at Skadden are given senior associate and partner mentors to help them through their first year.
Rankings and awards:
Vault Law 100: Best Law Firms for Securities Litigation; Best Law Firms for Tax Law
US News: "Law Firm of the Year" Awards
No 1 in Antitrust Law
No 1 in Banking and Finance Law
No1 in Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
5. Sullivan & Cromwell
Address: 125 Broad Street New York
Phone number: (212) 558-4000
Website: sullcrom.com
Overview: One of the most prestigious law firms, Sullivan & Cromwell subscribes to a generalist approach, allowing lawyers to work across industries and subgroups. Sullivan & Cromwell boasts an army of over 800 attorneys across eight countries. The firm prides itself on its mentoring and career advising, as well as its commitment to being a unified global practice by only staffing its offices with lawyers who have built their careers at S&C.
Rankings and awards:
Sullivan & Cromwell LLP is nationally ranked in 37 practice areas and regionally ranked in 59 practice areas. The U.S. News - Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms" rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process.
No 1 in Antitrust Law
No 1 in Banking and Finance Law
No 1 in Commercial Litigation
No 1 in Corporate Law
 Top 10 Most Beautiful Female Lawyers In The World |
6. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
 |
Address: 425 Lexington Avenue New York
Phone number: (212) 455-2000
Website: stblaw.com
Overview: One of the most elite corporate law firms, Simpson Thacher is a dream firm for anyone pursuing a career in transactional law. The firm has a supportive environment that places a high value on training (including through its robust training program STB Ready) and mentoring, which is encouraged from the top.
Famous cases:
Throughout the first half of 2022, Simpson Thacher served as counsel for three of the major merger and acquisition deals to be announced. Twitter's Board of Directors, which the firm is representing in its $44 billion sale to Elon Musk, Microsoft's Board of Directors in its $75 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, and Silver Lake's Board of Directors in its $61 billion sale of VMWare to Broadcom.
Private Equity International lists Hellman & Friedman Capital Partners X ($24.4 billion), Silver Lake Partners VI ($20 billion), and EQT IX ($18.5 billion) as four of the ten largest private equity funds they advised on that year.
Rankings and awards:
Vault Law 100: Best Law Firms for Private Equity; Best Law Firms for Banking & Financial Services
7. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
Address: 1285 Avenue of the Americas New York
Phone number: (212) 373-3000
Website: paulweiss.com
Overview: Paul Weiss, known for its civil rights and social justice advocacy, attracts progressive types who value the firm's high-profile pro bono work as well as its internal commitment to diversity and inclusion initiatives. The law firm is a litigation powerhouse with a thriving corporate practice to its name. Furthermore, the firm is well-known for its expertise in telecommunications and entertainment law.
Rankings:
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is nationally ranked in 31 practice areas and regionally ranked in 42 practice areas.
 Top 15 Largest Law Firms In The World by Number of Attorneys & Offices |
8. Kirkland & Ellis
 |
Address: 601 Lexington Ave, New York
Website: kirkland.com
Phone No: (312) 862-2000
Overview: Kirkland, a legal behemoth in size and reputation, is the ideal firm for ambitious individuals ready to take charge of their legal careers. Associates at the firm agree that their futures are bright because of the firm's extensive training and the firm's name on their resumes.
Rankings and awards:
Best Law Firms for Bankruptcy/Restructuring; Best Law Firms for Private Equity
Top 10 Most Prestigious Firms, Vault 2022
Named one of the Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality, Human Rights Campaign, 2008-2021
Named one of Working Mother’s Best Law Firms for Women, 2012-2021
 TOP 5 Zodiac Signs Who Born To Be A Lawyer Astrology can help guide us in some of our decisions, for example, career choice. For some zodiac signs, it's extremely suitable to become a Defense ... |
9. Latham & Watkins
Address: 1271 Avenue of the Americas New York
Website: lw.com
Phone No: (212) 906-1200
No. of U.S. Offices: 12
No. of International Offices: 19
Chair and Managing Partner: Richard M. Trobman
Overview: When you get a job at Latham & Watkins, you know you've made it in the legal industry. 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:
Latham & Watkins LLP is nationally ranked in 36 practice areas and regionally ranked in 95 practice areas.
#5 Vault Law 100
#1 Best Law Firms in Southern California
#2 Best Law Firms for Antitrust
10. Debevoise & Plimpton
 |
Address: 919 Third Avenue New York
Website: debevoise.com
Phone: (212) 909-6000
Overview: Debevoise is a New York elite law firm that is a leader in private equity and M&A as well as a go-to firm for white collar matters. The firm has a reputation for being intellectual and respectful, and it offers extensive mentoring and career coaching to its associates. Associates seeking extensive pro bono opportunities will find Debevoise a great place to land, as assisting underserved communities has been a focus of the firm since its inception in 1931.
Rankings:
#18 Vault Law 100
#3 Best Law Firms for International Practice
#8 Best Law Firms for White Collar Defense & Internal Investigations
| Top 15 Largest Law Firms In The World by Number of Attorneys & Offices What is the largest law firm in the world? What criteria are used to evaluate a law firm's popularity? Read on the article to know ... |
| Top 15 Most Prestigious Law Firms In The US In the list of the best and the largest law firms in the world, law firms from the US account for a large number. Check ... |
 Top 10 Most Prestigious Law Firms In Texas by Vault What are the best law firms in Texas? How were they ranked by prestigipus websites? Read on the article to know Top 10 Most Prestigious ... |
