RANKED FIRMS
PRACTICE AREAS
UPDATED
The top-ranked law firm in New York is Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP. Other leading New York firms include Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, and Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP. Rankings are based on verified case outcomes, peer and client standing, depth of expertise, and annual editorial review by the Lexinter desk.
Reviewed by the Lexinter Editorial Desk
New York is where the biggest deals close and the toughest disputes get tested every day. When the stakes are high, speed and precision matter as much as legal knowledge. The right firm can protect your leverage in negotiations, keep regulators satisfied, and position you to win in court. Whether you are managing a merger, a complex financing, commercial litigation, an employment conflict, a real estate project, or an internal investigation, this list helps you compare proven options. The top 17 law firms in New York below are known for elite talent, clear strategy, and dependable client service.
Showing all 17 firms
Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, founded in 1819, is a New York benchmark for partner-led representation on high-stakes matters. The firm advises boards, public companies, and financial institutions on M&A, capital markets, antitrust, tax, executive compensation, and complex litigation, as well as trusts and estates work for principals. Known for lean teams and rigorous training, the firm delivers clear judgment and efficient execution under tight timelines. Clients choose it for transformative deals and disputes. Clients value practical counsel that aligns legal risk with business goals across industries and borders.
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Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz has advised public company boards since 1965 on the moments that move markets. The firm leads on M&A, takeover defense, shareholder activism, corporate governance, restructuring, and major disputes, including securities and proxy contests. Known for intense partner involvement and lean staffing, the firm responds quickly while protecting confidentiality and deal value. Clients rely on clear, practical strategy that strengthens negotiating leverage, stabilizes crises, and keeps decisions aligned with fiduciary duties and regulatory expectations. Trusted when timing, messaging, and risk control matter most.
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Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates has operated from New York since 1948 with global reach and scale. The firm advises companies, sponsors, and financial institutions on M&A, capital markets, private equity, restructuring, finance, tax, and antitrust, alongside complex litigation and investigations. With cross-practice teams and deep industry coverage, the firm executes fast-moving, high-value matters across borders. Clients value commercial insight, steady counsel under scrutiny, and efficient execution from deal launch through closing, trial, or settlement. Built to staff seamlessly for urgent deadlines worldwide.
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Sullivan & Cromwell LLP traces its New York roots to 1879 and remains a top choice for complex corporate and regulatory matters. The firm advises public companies, financial institutions, and sponsors on M&A, capital markets, banking, structured finance, tax, and restructuring. It also leads investigations, enforcement responses, international arbitration, and bet the company litigation. Clients value the firm for steady judgment, discreet crisis management, and deal execution that balances commercial goals with legal risk under intense regulator and stakeholder scrutiny worldwide, across industries and markets at scale.
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Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, founded in 1849, is a Wall Street mainstay for sophisticated corporate, finance, and regulatory counsel. The firm advises boards, banks, and sponsors on capital markets, M&A, financial institutions regulation, investment management, private equity, antitrust, tax, and restructuring. It is also trusted for complex litigation, internal investigations, and enforcement defense where reputational risk is high. Clients value the firm for detail driven execution, practical judgment, and collaborative teams that deliver reliable outcomes on time sensitive matters, especially in fast-moving markets.
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Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP was established in 1946 and is known for integrated cross-border counseling from its New York office. The firm advises corporations, funds, and sovereign clients on M&A, capital markets, antitrust, international arbitration, and complex litigation. It also supports regulatory strategy, investigations, and crisis matters that require coordinated teams across jurisdictions. Clients value the firm for practical insight, deep bench strength, and the ability to translate complex issues into clear, actionable plans during high-pressure negotiations and disputes worldwide for global decision-makers.
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Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, established in 1884, anchors elite private equity and transactional work from New York. The firm advises sponsors, public companies, banks, and asset managers on M&A, capital markets, fund formation, financing, restructuring, and sensitive regulatory issues. It also handles investigations and complex business disputes when scrutiny rises. Clients value partner attention, coordinated cross-practice teams, and steady execution under tight deadlines. With global reach, the firm helps clients manage risk, close major deals, and defend critical positions before courts and regulators, across industries worldwide.
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Milbank LLP, established in 1866, is recognized for high-value finance and complex corporate matters from its New York headquarters. The firm advises lenders, sponsors, and multinationals on leveraged finance, capital markets, project and infrastructure finance, M&A, and restructurings. It also represents clients in litigation, arbitration, and investigations tied to commercial and regulatory risk. Clients choose the firm for technical strength, commercial judgment, and efficient teams that execute across jurisdictions in fast-moving deals and workouts in energy, tech, and transport while keeping timelines, documentation, and stakeholder pressure under control.
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A&O Shearman, formed in 2024 through the merger of Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling, brings together major U.S. and international capabilities from a New York base. The firm advises on cross-border M&A, banking, capital markets, private equity, funds, antitrust, restructuring, and regulatory compliance. It also handles investigations, enforcement defense, and international arbitration for institutions and global companies. Clients turn to the firm for coordinated multi-jurisdictional teams, strong market insight, and efficient execution of complex matters where speed and certainty matter in the finance, energy, and technology sectors.
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Sidley Austin LLP was established in 1866 and maintains a major New York presence serving public companies, financial institutions, and investment sponsors worldwide in complex, high-value matters. The firm advises on M&A, capital markets, private equity, investment management, banking, restructuring, and tax planning, backed by high-stakes litigation and arbitration. It is also known for investigations, regulatory enforcement defense, and complex compliance programs. Clients value practical, business-aware guidance, deep industry knowledge, and cross-office teams that deliver consistent results on demanding timelines in healthcare, technology, and financial services.
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Proskauer Rose LLP, founded in 1875, is known in New York for business-minded counsel across corporate, labor and employment, litigation, private funds, finance, real estate, and tax. The firm is especially visible in sports, media, and nonprofit matters, as well as in private credit and investment management. It also advises on investigations and regulatory questions. Clients rely on the firm for practical strategy, responsive partner access, and efficient deal execution. With a broad platform and global offices, it supports growth, risk management, and dispute resolution for companies and institutions.
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Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is a top choice in New York for high-stakes litigation and crisis management, founded in 1890. The firm represents corporations, financial institutions, and executives in trials, appeals, investigations, and enforcement actions, including antitrust, securities, and white collar matters. It also handles major M&A, private equity, and restructuring with integrated teams. Its lawyers also advise on global regulatory and complex commercial disputes. Clients value the firm for courtroom strength, clear risk analysis, and practical advice that supports decisive business moves under intense scrutiny.
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Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is a New York leader known for private equity and cross-border transactional work, backed by elite dispute resolution capabilities established in 1931. The firm advises sponsors, corporations, and institutions on M&A, funds, capital markets, finance, insurance, and regulatory matters, and is widely trusted for investigations, white-collar defense, and international arbitration. Clients choose the firm for partner attention, creative problem solving, and teams that stay calm under pressure while delivering efficient, high-quality results across industries and jurisdictions, even in sensitive, high stakes situations.
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Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP was founded in 1890 and is a New York staple for private equity, real estate, finance, and complex business disputes. The firm advises sponsors, lenders, and public companies on M&A, fund formation, structured finance, and restructurings, and it is equally trusted for investigations and litigation where reputational risk is high. Clients value partner access, commercial judgment, and efficient teams that stay calm in fast-moving situations, including sensitive governance issues and crises, with cross-border support when matters span multiple jurisdictions.
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White & Case LLP has been headquartered in New York since 1901 and is built for cross-border business and global deal execution. The firm advises banks, corporates, and governments on capital markets, leveraged finance, project and infrastructure finance, and major M&A, while also handling antitrust, restructuring, investigations, and international arbitration. Clients often choose the firm when transactions involve multiple jurisdictions, regulators, and counterparties, and value practical risk control, clear documentation, and tight coordination across offices to deliver efficiently on compressed timelines across finance, energy, and infrastructure.
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Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP is a litigation-only powerhouse for companies and executives facing high-value disputes since 1986. The firm handles commercial trials, international arbitration, antitrust, securities matters, IP litigation, investigations, and appeals, with trial readiness at the core. Clients choose the firm for aggressive advocacy, deep courtroom experience, and teams that move quickly in crisis-driven conflicts, including complex class actions and global enforcement fights. It is known for building settlement leverage through targeted motions, expert strategy, and willingness to go to verdict.
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Greenberg Traurig, LLP was founded in 1967 and has a major New York footprint delivering full-service support for businesses, investors, and developers. The firm advises on corporate transactions, real estate, finance, restructuring, litigation, labor and employment, and regulatory matters, while also covering IP, data privacy, and government affairs. Clients value responsive partner access, practical solutions, and the ability to scale teams for fast-moving deals and disputes. With 50+ offices worldwide, the firm aligns legal tactics with commercial objectives across markets and industries.
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Every firm in the Lexinter directory is reviewed using a consistent set of editorial criteria, helping ensure each ranking is clear, structured, and based on relevant information.
Attorney qualifications, professional recognition, and other publicly available credentials.
Office locations, geographic reach, years of operation, and the communities or industries the firm serves.
Breadth of practice areas, partner experience, and specialization relevant to your needs.
A thorough final review by the Lexinter desk, refreshed annually to keep every ranking current.
Each New York law firm profile highlights key details to help you evaluate the firm, including its practice areas, office locations, featured attorneys, and notable achievements. Some profiles may also include additional information about the firm’s experience, services, and areas of focus.
Yes. The rankings include both established, full-service law firms and smaller boutique practices. Each firm is evaluated on factors such as experience, reputation, notable results, and depth of expertise, allowing users to compare a broad range of options.
Yes. Many New York law firm profiles indicate whether contingency fee arrangements are available. Because fee structures can vary by practice area and case, review the profile carefully and confirm the terms directly with the firm before proceeding.
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New York’s legal market is crowded, fast-paced, and highly specialized, which can make choosing the right attorney feel overwhelming. Lexinter simplifies the search by helping you narrow options based on your case type, urgency, and the level of experience you need. Whether you are dealing with a business dispute, employment issue, real estate matter, investment concern, or complex litigation, you can compare credible firms more efficiently and avoid wasted time. With clearer information and better matching, Lexinter helps you move forward with confidence and connect with counsel suited to your goals.
