Best Law Firms by Practice Area
These firms were voted strongest in each practice area by associates working in that area at peer firms. Vault's 2025 Rankings are derived from Vault's Annual Associate Survey conducted between January 2024 through March 2024.
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2025 Best Law Firms for Environmental Law
Beveridge & Diamond, P.C.
Established in 1974 by attorneys with ties to the Environmental Protection Agency and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Beveridge & Diamond excels nationally in environmental law. It has earned recognition from Vault and Chambers, among other rankings organizations. The firm, which has more than 120 attorneys in seven offices, represents clients on a diverse array of environmental issues. It handles litigation, transactional matters, regulatory issues, and international concerns.
43.31% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#1
Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP
One of DC’s finest, the global megafirm Arnold & Porter is home to nearly 1,000 lawyers practicing across dozens of areas—with antitrust being one of the most notable. The firm focuses heavily on mentoring, with mentoring budgets, shadowing opportunities, and multiple formal mentors for junior associates. Pro bono is a big deal at Arnold & Porter, too, as the firm allows up to 200 hours to count toward the annual billable goal and has won numerous awards for its efforts.
21.66% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#3
Latham & Watkins
You know you’ve made it in the legal industry when you’ve landed a spot at Latham. The firm is a global leader across dozens of practice areas, with over 3,000 lawyers in 14 countries, and recruits the best of the best. This globalization allows Latham to service clients with the finest legal resources, regardless of location. Those seeking autonomy to shape their practice and wanting extensive training and support will be pleased with their opportunities at this legal giant.
19.75% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#2
Sidley Austin LLP
With an impressive global footprint of over 2,300 lawyers across 21 offices and a roster of top-notch clients across the energy, financial services, healthcare, insurance, life sciences, sports and media, and technology industries, Sidley is the cream of the crop when it comes to law firms. Come for the sophisticated work and stay for the polite, amiable Midwestern vibes as well as the sincere commitment to building a diverse and inclusive workplace.
13.38% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#4
Kirkland & Ellis
A legal giant—both in size and reputation—Kirkland is known for its private equity, M&A and other complex corporate transactions; investment fund formation and alternative asset management; restructurings; high-stakes commercial and intellectual property litigation; and government, regulatory, and internal investigations work, with lawyers working across more than 60 practice areas for high-profile clients. With over 3,500 attorneys across 20 offices and a commitment to ‘innovative and comprehensive legal education and development,’ Kirkland is the perfect firm for driven individuals who are ready to take control of their legal careers.
12.74% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#5
Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
Though Hunton Andrews Kurth did not take on its current form until 2018 after a major merger, the foundation of the firm was laid well before—in 1901. From this single office in Richmond, Virginia, the firm has blossomed into a legal giant with 18 offices and over 900 attorneys. It is known for its strength in the energy, financial services, real estate, and retail and consumer product industries.
11.47% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#11
Baker Botts L.L.P.
As the oldest BigLaw firm in Texas, Baker Botts gives its 700+ attorneys exposure to a variety of high-caliber legal work. The icing on the cake is that it all happens in a collegial environment that fosters genuine friendships and organic mentorship.
10.19% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#8
Perkins Coie LLP
Perkins Coie cultivates collegiality through a holistic hiring process, social retreats, resource groups, wellness programs, and more. Whether they hope to make partner or move in-house, associates here are in a good position. Providing legal services to some of the world’s most innovative companies, Perkins Coie lawyers take pride in performing substantive, meaningful work. Although its history is rooted in aerospace and transportation, Perkins Coie has stretched its services across its domestic and international offices.
9.55% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#7
Stoel Rives LLP
The largest law firm in Oregon, Stoel Rives is a standout in both the environmental law and renewable energy law areas. Green is where it's at for this Portland-based firm, which boasts a Climate Change Group and an active Sustainability Committee. This full-service firm boasts strong practices in corporate, energy, environmental, real estate, intellectual property, labor and employment, employee benefits, land use and construction, litigation, natural resources, renewable energy, product liability, food and beverage, agribusiness, health care, and technology.
8.92% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#6
Vinson & Elkins
Vinson and Elkins’ lean-team model leads to great training opportunities for associates via hands-on experience, strong partner mentorship, and new challenges. Overall, associates agree that V&E offers a great culture, great compensation, and great work. With its largest office in Texas, V&E’s southern hospitality shines at the firm, and associates don’t shy away from an opportunity to socialize inside and outside the office. Through its market-leading approach, V&E has been tackling some of the most complex legal disputes for more than 100 years.
8.28% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#8
Holland & Knight LLP
Associates at Holland & Knight enjoy their work and appreciate their colleagues. The firm is a true pro bono leader, especially when it comes to its work supporting veterans. For those hoping to make partner, the firm provides a realistic pathway. The firm crosses state and national borders with approximately 2,200 attorneys spread across 34 locations. Holland & Knight has a laid-back culture but takes service to the community seriously.
7.64% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#11
Cox, Castle & Nicholson LLP
Cox, Castle & Nicholson is one of the largest real estate firms in the U.S., with more than 130 attorneys practicing in three California offices. The firm has had a hand in developing some of the most iconic buildings in Southern California. While Cox Castle & Nicholson lawyers only work in the real estate and construction industries, they handle just about every legal facet of those industries that their clients require. The firm is a good fit for lawyers seeking significant responsibility and client contact from day one.
5.73% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#Not Ranked
Sive, Paget & Riesel, P.C.
For over sixty years, Sive, Paget & Riesel (SPR) has been a recognized leader in environmental law and litigation, municipal and land use law. The firm has experience assisting clients in the preparation of environmental assessments and Environmental Impact Statements (EISs), working on Brownfield redevelopment projects and environmental permitting, and supporting corporate transactions with due diligence reviews and risk assessments.
5.73% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#Not Ranked
Greenberg Traurig, LLP
At Greenberg Traurig, attorneys receive cutting-edge work with colleagues they enjoy spending time with. Pro bono is highly emphasized, and the firm strives to hire, retain, and promote diverse attorneys. Many attorneys at Greenberg have an entrepreneurial mindset and take responsibility for sophisticated matters with the support of brilliant mentors. Greenberg Traurig looks outside the traditional legal model to provide enhanced services to clients via innovation.
5.10% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#Not Ranked
Hogan Lovells
Hogan Lovells is home to over 2,800 lawyers working across more than 45 offices. The firm focuses on three major practices: corporate and finance; litigation, arbitration and employment; and global regulatory and intellectual property. It is particularly well-known for its privacy work and its high-profile pro bono matters. Lawyers who enjoy a collegial, collaborative culture and have a strong desire to give back through pro bono fit well into the firm.
5.10% of Votes
2024 Ranking
#10
