The Top Five Environmental Law Firms

According to Vault’s 2025 rankings, the five most prestigious firms for practicing Environmental Law are Beveridge & Diamond, P.C.; Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP; Latham & Watkins; Sidley Austin LLP; and Kirkland & Ellis.

Beveridge & Diamond, P.C.

The elite midsize firm, Beveridge & Diamond convincingly captures the No. 1 spot in Vault’s coveted Best Law Firm for Environmental Law rankings, a position it has firmly held since 2017. Founded by the first EPA and New York Conservation Department leaders, Beveridge & Diamond is rooted in environmental litigation and regulation, advising clients on a variety of topics from its headquarters in Washington, DC, and six other U.S. offices. This Top 150 Under 150 firm holds six top 25 Vault Midsize Firm quality-of-life rankings, including No. 12 for Career Outlook and No. 13 for Informal Training, Mentoring & Sponsorship. These rankings, among others, indicate that the 140 attorneys who work at this firm feel confident in the experience they acquire and their prospects. The firm is justifiably proud of its diversity efforts, earning Mansfield Rule 6.0 certification and numerous awards for its longstanding commitment to DEI.

Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP

The No. 2 firm for Environmental Law, Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP, is also ranked among the top 25 in seven other Vault practice areas. In addition, it has earned five top 25 Vault quality-of-life rankings, including No. 7 for Pro Bono, as 200 hours of pro bono work can be used to fulfill the 2,000-hour billable requirement. Arnold & Porter is home to 1,000 attorneys, who can get together at least three times per week at firm-sponsored events and monthly dinners at different restaurants. Attorneys have flexibility to work at the time and place of their choosing, subject to client needs and a two-day-per-week in-office policy. Among its 10 domestic offices, Arnold & Porter’s Washington, DC, location is No. 10 in Vault’s regional rankings. In addition, Arnold & Porter has established five offices abroad, which certainly contributes to its No. 12 position in Vault’s International practice area rankings. The promotion process is clear, and counsel and senior attorney positions are available, but making equity partner is difficult. The ability to land a clerkship or a position in-house or in the government, however, is apparent, and the firm helps attorneys find desired roles.

Latham & Watkins

With 3,000 attorneys in 29 offices throughout the world, Latham & Watkins holds 25 top Vault practice area rankings, landing at No. 3 for not only Environmental Law but also for Energy, Oil & Gas. Notably, is the No. 2 firm in Vault’s Clean Tech/Renewable Energy rankings, as well as three other Vault-ranked practices. Colleagues at this powerhouse firm are described by associates as friendly and professional. The firm regularly offers social events, which are well-attended. Socializing isn’t forced on anyone, however, and Latham attorneys can choose to get together organically as well. The firm imposes a 1,900-hour billable requirement and offers training and mentoring to help associates advance their skills. The steps for promotion are clear, but equity partnership is difficult to attain. Counsel and non-equity partnerships can be leveraged to become partner. For attorneys seeking other adventures, Latham provides career design services to assist them, and in-house and government positions are typical landing spots for Latham alumni.

Sidley Austin LLP

Similar to the other top-flight firms on this prestigious list, the No. 4 firm in Vault’s Environmental Law rankings, Sidley Austin, is recognized for 24 other top 25 Vault-ranked practice areas. The firm is headquartered in Chicago, where it holds the No. 2 Vault regional ranking, and it has established offices in 10 other U.S. and 10 overseas locations. The firm employs 2,300 lawyers, who make up a close-knit team. Sidley Austin attorneys can perform their duties from home two days per week while working toward their 2,000-hour billable requirement. Two hundred of the required hours can be satisfied through pro bono, diversity-related, and/or other non-billable work. Making partner is possible after 10 years or more at the firm, and counsel positions are options while waiting to move into equity partnership. Alternatively, Sidley Austin attorneys can readily lateral, accept roles with high-caliber clients, or take a government position.

Kirkland & Ellis

Another elite behemoth makes Vault’s 2025 list of the Best Firms for Environmental Law: Kirkland Ellis. A celebrated firm for both its size and influence, Kirkland fields 3,500 attorneys in 60 practice areas (18 practice areas are in Vault’s top 10 rankings) and 29 locations. Associates describe a collegial firm culture that is created by driven, hardworking, and kind attorneys. Kirkland does not impose a billable requirement, but attorneys face the same intense BigLaw hours as peers in firms with a billable hour requirement. Kirkland offers relatively few opportunities for achieving equity partnership, but because of direct interaction with clients and the stellar training that they receive, associates can look forward to moving in-house or to other highly regarded firms. Moreover, high-performing Kirkland attorneys who choose to stay can expect to be promoted to non-equity partner after six years.

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For attorneys with an interest in environmental matters and appreciation for the many sectors affected by policies in this area, environmental law may be a good fit. To learn more about becoming an environmental lawyer, see Vault’s Practice Area Resource Centers: Environmental Law. On this Vault webpage, lawyers from three of the five top firms for Environmental Law answer questions about their career path and practice. In addition, Vault’s Practice Area Resource Centers present Q&As from attorneys in 23 other practice areas, including Clean Tech/Renewable Energy; Energy, Oil & Gas; and Litigation.

Attorneys looking for positions in specific U.S. regions are encouraged to click on Vault’s Regional Resource Centers for insights from elite firms that practice in these locations. For example, both Sidley Austin and Kirkland offer employment information in Vault’s Chicago Regional Resource Center, Arnold & Porter is featured in Vault’s Washington Regional Resource Center, and Latham & Watkins talks about its culture in Vault’s California Regional Resource Center.

Moreover, law students should take a look at Vault’s Summer Program Resource Center to identify the firms with the Best Summer Program Overall and those highly ranked for Attorney Interactions, Career Development, and Social Experiences. It’s important for students to research summer options early because the processes and deadlines for applying vary by firm.

Systematic exploration of Vault profiles of the top five firms for Environmental Law and the other firms in the Vault Law 100, the Best Midsize Firms, and the Top 150 Under 150 firms gives job seekers an edge in identifying the best workplace for meeting their personal and professional goals. Attorneys and students can assess firms by practice area, region, size, hiring practices, and notable matters. Moreover, 20,000 attorneys take Vault’s Annual Associate Survey every year, and insights from these lawyers at participating firms provide a look into current firm culture, quality of work, pro bono opportunities, wellness efforts, and other key indicators of attorney satisfaction.

In summary, perusing Vault profiles and Resource Centers is a great way to start assessing your career options in 2025!

Best of luck on your legal job search from all of us at Vault Law!