Ranked: 10 Largest Law Firms in the U.S.

10 Largest Law Firms in the U.S.

Here’s a brief description of each of the 10 largest U.S. law firms:

#1. Kirkland & Ellis

Known for its dominance in corporate law, particularly private equity, M&A, and litigation, Kirkland & Ellis is headquartered in Chicago and is widely regarded as one of the most profitable firms globally.

#2. Latham & Watkins

A global powerhouse based in Los Angeles, Latham is recognized for its strength in corporate finance, environmental law, and white-collar defense, with a balanced international presence.

#3. DLA Piper (U.S. operations)

One of the largest law firms in terms of headcount, DLA Piper offers a broad range of legal services and is especially strong in real estate, litigation, and global corporate work.

#4. Baker McKenzie (U.S. operations)

Known for its global reach and cross-border capabilities, Baker McKenzie specializes in international tax, M&A, and employment law, with a unique emphasis on multinational clients.

#5. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom

A leading New York-based firm famous for handling high-stakes M&A and securities litigation. Skadden is also a pioneer in corporate governance and regulatory issues.

#6. Sidley Austin

Based in Chicago, Sidley has a strong reputation in appellate litigation, regulatory law, and securities, with a notable client base in the healthcare and finance sectors.

#7. Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher

Renowned for its litigation and appellate practice, particularly before the U.S. Supreme Court. The firm also excels in antitrust and real estate law.

#8. White & Case

With a strong international focus, White & Case is known for arbitration, cross-border litigation, and infrastructure projects, often representing sovereign governments and major corporations.

#9. Morgan, Lewis & Bockius

Based in Philadelphia, Morgan Lewis is well-known for its labor and employment practice, life sciences, and regulatory compliance, serving a diverse range of industries.

#10. Jones Day

A global firm headquartered in Cleveland, Jones Day has a broad practice, including significant work in litigation, antitrust, and global disputes, and is known for its unique, non-competitive partnership model.

Notes

Here is a table of the 10 largest U.S.-based law firms ranked by gross revenue for the fiscal year 2023, as reported in the 2024 Am Law 100 and Global 200 rankings:

RankLaw FirmGross RevenueTotal Lawyers
1Kirkland & Ellis$7.21 billion3,514
2Latham & Watkins$5.69 billion3,450
3DLA Piper (U.S. operations)$3.83 billion4,561
4Baker McKenzie (U.S. operations)$3.29 billion4,558
5Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom$3.27 billion1,734
6Sidley Austin$3.10 billion2,042
7Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher$3.07 billion1,836
8White & Case$2.87 billion2,100
9Morgan, Lewis & Bockius$2.86 billion2,200
10Jones Day$2.45 billion2,500

These rankings reflect the firms’ performance in 2023, with Kirkland & Ellis leading in both revenue and profitability.

The data indicates a trend of growth among top U.S. law firms, driven by strong demand in areas such as M&A, private equity, and litigation.

Chelsea Wilson
Chelsea Wilson is the Community Relations Manager for Washington University School of Law’s distance learning LLM degree program, which provides foreign trained attorneys with the opportunity to earn a Master of Laws degree from a top-tier American university from anywhere in the world.

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