The Top Five Law Firms for Clean Tech/Renewable Energy

According to the 2025 Vault prestige rankings, Orrick, Latham & Watkins, Norton Rose Fulbright, Milbank, and Vinson & Elkins top the list of firms with an exceptional Clean Technology and Renewable Energy practice.

Orrick

The No. 1 firm for Clean Technology and Renewable Energy is successful in many sectors that require legal expertise related to technology. The firm ranks highly in several innovation-related Vault practice areas, including Energy, Oil, & Gas (No. 7); Privacy and Data Security (No. 8); Emerging Companies & Venture Capital (No.8); and Intellectual Property (No. 16). Altogether, the firm holds nine top 25 Vault practice area rankings. Moreover, the firm implements technology, such as AI, in its own practices and encourages attorneys to participate in innovation-related projects. These efforts have enabled the firm to earn the No. 9 position in Vault’s Best Firm to Work For Technology and Innovation rankings. Orrick holds 11 other Vault quality-of-life rankings and top 10 spots in all five of Vault Best Law Firm For Diversity rankings. The healthy, cooperative, and respectful culture at Orrick is fostered by work location flexibility, evenly distributed work assignments, and recognition of associate contributions. The 1,100 Orrick attorneys in its 28 offices (15 U.S. locations) work toward a 1,950-hour billable requirement. In the long term, counsel and partnership positions are viable options. Working with interesting clients in cutting-edge industries also gives Orrick attorneys clear advantages when seeking in-house positions.

Latham & Watkins

Moving up a spot to No. 2 in Vault’s 2025 Clean Technology and Renewable Energy Law rankings, Latham & Watkins shows that its elite BigLaw status has not reduced its drive to excellence. Latham is also the No. 2 firm in Vault’s Antitrust, Project Finance, and Securities/Capital Markets rankings and places in the top 15 of the 25 Vault practice areas in which it is ranked. The firm employs 3,000 attorneys, and onboarded associates acquire experience in multiple practices and receive extensive training. Mentorship is also part of the firm’s friendly and professional culture. With 29 offices worldwide (12 U.S. locations), Latham secures top Vault rankings in seven ranked regions: Southern California (No. 1); Northern California (No. 2); Chicago (No. 3); Texas (No. 3); Washington, DC (No. 3); Boston (No. 4); and New York (No. 7). This kind of geographic reach shows that the firm offers stellar opportunities throughout the country for legal stars looking to join the team. Nevertheless, the competition is fierce. Latham places sixth in Vault’s Best Firm to Work for Selectivity rankings. Associates who are hired can expect to bill 1,900 hours per year, and they can look forward to top-notch opportunities to advance their careers with clients or in government positions. Those who stay at Latham can move into counsel or non-equity partnership roles with the possibility of securing one of few coveted equity partnership slots.

Norton Rose Fulbright

Another large and exceptional firm, Norton Rose Fulbright lands in the No. 3 position in Vault’s Clean Technology and Renewable Energy rankings. The firm is positioned among the top 20 firms in Vault’s Firm Culture rankings, and associates say that, despite employing more than 3,000 lawyers, the firm has a midsize feel because of its focus on attorney well-being. This perception is supported by the firm’s placement in seven top 25 Vault quality-of-life rankings. Twelve of the 53 established Norton Rose Fulbright offices are in the United States, and the firm looks favorably on high performers with a connection to the hiring office region. Moreover, successful candidates are accomplished, down-to-earth, and have a sense of humor. The firm requires 1,900 hours from its attorneys, who earn lockstep Cravath scale compensation in its major offices and can take advantage of firm perks, including a unique vacation incentive program. Associates say that the firm supports their advancement by offering counsel and in-house counsel tracks, as well as opportunities for nonpracticing attorneys. Internal and exit positions are regularly communicated, which certainly contributes to the firm’s No. 9 Vault ranking for Transparency.

Milbank

A stalwart firm with three U.S. and nine international offices, Milbank places No. 4 in Vault’s Clean Technology and Renewable Energy rankings. The firm holds seven other top 10 Vault practice area rankings, including the No. 1 position for Project Finance. Friendly colleagues, fun firm-sponsored events, and in-person interactions cultivated, in part, by a multiday in-office policy encourage collegiality and promote a sense of belonging. Associates are not required to bill a set number of hours, but they work hard. The reward for the 900 Milbank attorneys maintaining BigLaw hours and producing excellent work product include top-flight compensation and a realistic chance of making partner within one or two years of celebrating their eighth year at the firm. Counsel roles and positions at private equity or hedge fund clients are also available to the well-trained attorneys of Milbank.

Vinson & Elkins

Vinson & Elkins, which ranks No. 1 for Energy, Oil and Gas and No. 10 for Environmental Law, completes the Vault top five firms for Clean Technology and Renewable Energy. This firm is ranked in three other top 25 Vault practice areas and, with an office in Austin, Dallas, and Houston, is No. 1 in Vault’s Texas rankings. The firm has established five other U.S. and three international offices. In total, 700 kind and supportive attorneys make up the team at V&E, and they report that late night and weekend work is rare. The prospects for V&E attorneys are strong. A counsel positions can serve as a stepping stone to partnership, and the firm is supportive of attorneys seeking a position in government or with clients.

 Clean Technology and Renewable Energy is an exciting and growing practice area, and companies in this space need lawyers with a variety of legal experiences. Therefore, the field is open to attorneys with different professional backgrounds and interests, including those with traditional energy sector, startup, and regulatory knowledge. Notably, all the firms in Vault’s top five Clean Technology and Renewable Energy rankings are also in the Vault Law 100 and engage in many other areas of the law.

To learn more about working in Clean Technology and Renewable Energy or any other legal area, click on the link to Vault’s Practice Area Resource Center. To identify interesting firms on the basis of their location, check out Vault’s Regional Resource Center.

The top five firms for Clean Technology and Renewable Energy differ in terms of size, international presence, culture, hour requirements, and other aspects of BigLaw. Therefore, to increase the odds of finding the best fit, job seekers should conduct in-depth research into the prestige and quality-of-life rankings of these and other Vault-ranked firms. Profiles of the firms in the Vault Law 100 and Best Midsize Firms to Work For rankings provide descriptions of firm history, legal specialties, and attributes that enable law students and practicing lawyers to evaluate potential workplaces in their practice area and/or region.

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