How These Rankings Work
Our list is based on the 2026 Am Law 100, published by The American Lawyer in April 2026. It’s widely considered the leading financial ranking of large U.S. law firms. The 2026 edition reflects each firm’s results for the 2025 fiscal year.
The main ranking measure is gross revenue, the total fees a firm brings in. The Am Law 100 also tracks revenue per lawyer, profits per equity partner, and partner compensation, which we cover later in this article.
A few headline numbers show how strong the year was:
- Combined revenue for the Am Law 100 reached about $178.95 billion, up 13%.
- 62 firms earned more than $1 billion in revenue, up from 58 the year before.
- Seven of the top 10 firms held their positions from last year’s ranking.
Top 10 Law Firms in the USA 2026 at a Glance
| Rank | Law Firm | Headquarters | 2025 Gross Revenue | Growth vs. Prior Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kirkland & Ellis | Chicago | $10.556 billion | +19.93% |
| 2 | Latham & Watkins | Los Angeles (founded) | $8.300 billion | +18.57% |
| 3 | DLA Piper | Global (U.S. and U.K.) | $4.583 billion | +8.10% |
| 4 | Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher | Los Angeles | $4.211 billion | +18.37% |
| 5 | Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom | New York City | $4.073 billion | +11.00% |
| 6 | Sidley Austin | Chicago | $3.738 billion | +8.68% |
| 7 | Ropes & Gray | Boston | $3.737 billion | +9.39% |
| 8 | Baker McKenzie | Chicago | $3.640 billion | +7.24% |
| 9 | White & Case | New York City | $3.594 billion | +8.36% |
| 10 | Simpson Thacher & Bartlett | New York City | $3.553 billion | +22.66% |
Source: The American Lawyer, 2026 Am Law 100 (based on 2025 fiscal year results), as reported by Above the Law and the ABA Journal.
A Closer Look at the Top 10 Law Firms in the USA
1. Kirkland & Ellis
Kirkland & Ellis holds the No. 1 spot again, and this year it set a new industry record. With $10.556 billion in revenue, it became the first law firm in history to pass the $10 billion mark, growing nearly 20% in a single year.
Reputation: Founded in Chicago, Kirkland is widely known as a powerhouse in private equity, restructuring, and high-stakes litigation. With more than 4,100 lawyers, it is also one of the largest firms in the country, yet it still ranks among the most efficient in revenue per lawyer.
2. Latham & Watkins
Latham & Watkins remains a clear No. 2, bringing in $8.3 billion with growth of more than 18%. Together, Kirkland and Latham are far ahead of every other firm on the list.
Reputation: Founded in Los Angeles, Latham is one of the most global U.S. firms. It is especially well known for corporate transactions, capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, and finance work for major companies around the world.
3. DLA Piper
DLA Piper holds steady at No. 3, with about $4.58 billion in revenue. There is a big gap between the top two firms and the rest of the field, and DLA Piper leads that next group.
Reputation: DLA Piper has one of the largest global footprints of any law firm, with offices across many countries. It is known as a full-service firm that helps businesses with everything from real estate and intellectual property to employment and regulatory matters.
4. Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher
Gibson Dunn moved up one spot to No. 4, with revenue of about $4.21 billion and growth of more than 18%, one of the strongest increases in the top 10.
Reputation: Also founded in Los Angeles, Gibson Dunn has a strong reputation in litigation, appellate work, white-collar defense, and mergers and acquisitions. It is often hired for complex, high-profile cases.
5. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
Skadden slipped one spot to No. 5, but it still grew revenue by 11% to about $4.07 billion.
Reputation: Based in New York City, Skadden is one of the most famous names in corporate law. It is widely credited with helping build the modern mergers and acquisitions practice and remains a go-to firm for major deals, takeover battles, and investigations.
6. Sidley Austin
Sidley Austin ranks No. 6, earning about $3.74 billion, just ahead of Ropes & Gray by a very slim margin.
Reputation: Founded in Chicago in the 1860s, Sidley is known for its strength in regulatory, finance, and litigation work. It was also one of the first law firms to create a standalone appellate practice, which remains a highlight of its reputation.
7. Ropes & Gray
Ropes & Gray ranks No. 7, with revenue of about $3.74 billion. It also placed among the top five firms for revenue per lawyer, showing strong efficiency for its size.
Reputation: Founded in Boston in 1865 by two Harvard Law School graduates, Ropes & Gray is well known for private equity, life sciences, health care, and investment management work.
8. Baker McKenzie
Baker McKenzie ranks No. 8, with about $3.64 billion in revenue.
Reputation: Headquartered in Chicago, Baker McKenzie expanded internationally much earlier than most U.S. firms. It was also the first law firm to pass $1 billion in annual revenue, back in 2004. Today, it is a top choice for global companies that need coordinated legal advice in many countries.
9. White & Case
White & Case ranks No. 9, with revenue of about $3.59 billion.
Reputation: Based in New York City, White & Case is known for its international focus, especially in cross-border finance and international arbitration, where it is considered one of the industry leaders.
10. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
Simpson Thacher is the newcomer to the top 10, jumping two spots to No. 10. Its revenue rose 22.66% to about $3.55 billion, the fastest growth of any firm in the top 10.
Reputation: Based in New York City, Simpson Thacher is a leading firm for private equity, mergers and acquisitions, and capital markets. Its jump into the top 10 pushed Morgan, Lewis & Bockius down to No. 11.
Beyond Revenue: The Most Profitable Law Firms
Gross revenue shows size, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. Some of the most successful firms in America are much smaller than the giants on our list.
The best example is Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. With only about 272 lawyers, Wachtell doesn’t make the top 10 by revenue. But it leads the entire Am Law 100 in two key measures:
- Profits per equity partner: about $12.15 million, the first time any Am Law 100 firm has passed $12 million.
- Revenue per lawyer: about $5.09 million, nearly double the next firm, Susman Godfrey, at about $2.88 million.
Other firms that stood out for efficiency include Davis Polk, Quinn Emanuel, Sullivan & Cromwell, and Paul Weiss, all known for elite, high-value legal work.
Here’s what the main ranking measures mean:
| Measure | What It Shows |
|---|---|
| Gross revenue | The total fees a firm collects, which reflects its overall size |
| Revenue per lawyer | How much revenue each lawyer generates, a sign of efficiency and pricing power |
| Profits per equity partner | How much profit each owner-partner earns, a sign of profitability |
For context, the average revenue per lawyer across the Am Law 100 was about $1.39 million, and average profits per equity partner were about $3.59 million, up 14% from the prior year.
Key Trends From the 2026 Rankings
Looking at the numbers as a whole, a few clear trends stand out:
- The biggest firms are pulling further ahead. Kirkland and Latham together earned far more than any other two firms, and the gap between them and the rest continues to grow.
- Growth was almost universal. 94 of the 100 firms reported higher revenue, and 92 increased revenue per lawyer.
- Transactional work drove big gains. Firms strong in private equity, mergers and acquisitions, and capital markets, like Kirkland, Latham, and Simpson Thacher, posted some of the fastest growth.
- Size isn’t everything. Smaller elite firms like Wachtell show that a focused practice can be extremely profitable.
What These Rankings Mean if You’re Choosing a Law Firm
These rankings are useful for understanding the legal industry, but the biggest firm isn’t always the right firm for you. Most top-ranked firms focus on large corporations, major financial deals, and complex, high-stakes cases, and their fees usually reflect that.
If you’re looking for legal help, consider these questions:
- Does the firm have strong experience in your specific legal issue? A top personal injury or family law firm may serve you better than a large corporate firm.
- Is the firm licensed and active in your state? Many legal matters depend on state law.
- Does the fee structure fit your budget? Ask about hourly rates, flat fees, or contingency fees upfront.
- Will you have direct access to an experienced lawyer? Good communication matters as much as reputation.
- What do past clients say? Reviews and referrals can tell you a lot about a firm’s service.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the No. 1 law firm in the USA in 2026?
Kirkland & Ellis is the No. 1 law firm in the USA by revenue in the 2026 Am Law 100, with $10.556 billion in 2025 revenue. It is the first law firm ever to pass $10 billion in a single year.
What is the Am Law 100?
The Am Law 100 is an annual ranking of the 100 highest-grossing law firms in the United States, published by The American Lawyer. It ranks firms mainly by gross revenue and also reports revenue per lawyer, profits per equity partner, and partner compensation.
Which U.S. law firm is the most profitable?
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz is the most profitable by profits per equity partner, at about $12.15 million in the 2026 rankings. It also leads in revenue per lawyer.
How many U.S. law firms earn more than $1 billion a year?
In the 2026 Am Law 100, 62 firms reported more than $1 billion in revenue, up from 58 the year before.
Which firm grew the fastest in the top 10?
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett grew the fastest among the top 10, with revenue up 22.66%, which moved it into the top 10 for this year’s ranking.
Is the biggest law firm the best choice for my legal issue?
Not necessarily. The largest firms mainly serve big companies on major deals and complex cases. For personal legal matters, a firm with strong experience in your specific area and state is usually a better fit.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 rankings show a legal industry at the top of its game. Kirkland & Ellis made history, Latham & Watkins stayed strong at No. 2, and Simpson Thacher earned its place in the top 10 with impressive growth. At the same time, firms like Wachtell prove that reputation and profitability don’t always depend on size.
Whether you’re a law student exploring careers, a business looking for legal partners, or simply curious about the industry, these rankings offer a clear picture of who leads American law in 2026.
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Sources
- The American Lawyer, The 2026 Am Law 100 (published April 2026; based on 2025 fiscal year results)
- Above the Law: The 2026 Am Law 100 Is Out, And Surprise: The Rich Law Firms Got Richer
- ABA Journal: Am Law 100’s gross revenue rankings show minor shifts
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only. Rankings and financial figures are based on publicly reported data from the 2026 Am Law 100 and may change. Anexplore Digital is not affiliated with any of the law firms mentioned, and this article is not legal advice or an endorsement of any firm.