#United States #New York #Cravath #Vault Law #Wachtell Lipton

Vault Law Announces 2026-2027 Rankings of Top Law Firms

In a highly competitive legal landscape, Vault Law has officially released its rankings for the 2026-2027 period, solidifying the standing of the country's top law firms. For the eleventh year in a row, Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP has been recognized as the most prestigious firm in the United States, with Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz holding the second position.

This year's rankings reflect a mix of consistency and change within the top ten. Paul, Weiss has experienced a drop, falling from the 8th to the 13th spot, while Gibson Dunn has made an impressive leap from the 11th position to number 8 this year. Moreover, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP has gained momentum, moving up one slot to rank 5th, just ahead of Kirkland & Ellis, which remains in 6th place. The Vault 100 lists were determined based on feedback from over 20,000 associates in law firms across the country. The survey ran from October 22, 2025, to January 23, 2026.

The top 10 firms are as follows:
1. Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP
2. Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
3. Skadden
4. Latham & Watkins
5. Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
6. Kirkland & Ellis
7. Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
8. Gibson Dunn
9. Milbank
10. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

In addition to the prestigious Vault 100 rankings, Vault also delved into regional and practice area standings, which revealed some intriguing results. In major markets such as New York City, Washington, DC, and California, the top rankings have remained largely unchanged. Wachtell Lipton leads in the General Corporate Practice and Mergers & Acquisitions categories, while Latham & Watkins has taken the top spot in both Securities/Capital Markets and Clean Tech/Renewable Energy.

Furthermore, Kirkland & Ellis has maintained dominance in key areas like Banking & Financial Services, Bankruptcy/Restructuring, and Private Equity.

Cooley has emerged as a leader in the new Emerging Companies & Venture Capital, Privacy & Data Security, and Life Sciences categories. Notably, Covington & Burling continues to be recognized as the top firm in the Washington, DC area, particularly in White Collar Defense & Internal Investigations and the new Government Relations category.

The year saw significant movements within the legal industry, indicating a landscape characterized by dynamic growth, particularly among larger firms. Eric Stutzke, SVP & General Manager of Vault, noted the excitement surrounding the ongoing evolution within the top-tier law firms as they sustain their excellence across multiple practice areas.

As Vault Law continues its mission to provide accurate and insightful data for law students and professionals, these rankings serve as a valuable resource for those assessing potential career paths within the legal field. The importance of these assessments cannot be overstated, particularly for new associates seeking to align their aspirations with firms that reflect their professional values and goals.

With the 2026-2027 rankings, Vault reconfirms its role as the go-to source for legal career insights, helping candidates make informed decisions as they navigate their futures within the legal profession.