Best Law firms in New York: Top 10 Ranked. Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP ranks first, with a Lister Score of 80.0.
Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP takes the top spot on this list: it has played a central role in developing how law is practiced.
Cahill Gordon & Reindel is built for clients seeking market-leading capital markets and banking services, and has appointed a Chief AI Strategy Officer to lead innovation efforts.
Milbank LLP serves global innovators and market leaders, and provides complementary levels of professional development throughout an attorney's career.
Best Law Firms in New York in 2026, compared| RANK | ENTRY | BEST FOR | SCORE | FROM |
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| 1 |  Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLPBuilt for clients with critical disputes | clients with critical disputes | 80.0 | – |
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| 2 |  Cahill Gordon & ReindelThe firm is a leading US law firm with strengths in leveraged finance and high-yield debt | clients seeking market-leading capital markets and banking services | 78.0 | – |
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| 3 |  Milbank LLPHas supported pro bono clients for over a century | global innovators and market leaders | 78.0 | – |
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| 4 |  Olshan Frome WoloskyHolds the top global ranking in shareholder activism by FactSet | shareholder activism and complex litigation clients | 78.0 | – |
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| 5 |  Debevoise & Plimpton LLPOffers innovative legal services and expands its private capital platform | Private equity and corporate transactions | 76.0 | – |
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| 6 |  Hughes Hubbard & ReedGives clients direct access to senior lawyers for faster decision-making | high-stakes matters requiring elite judgment | 76.0 | – |
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| 7 |  Morrison CohenProvides an interactive tracker for cryptocurrency and blockchain dispute developments | clients needing specialised digital assets and fintech expertise | 76.0 | – |
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| 8 |  Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLPOperates fifteen offices in major global financial hubs | complex cross-border transactions and high-stakes litigation | 76.0 | – |
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| 9 |  Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & SelzHas been named one of the Best Places to Work in New York City for fourteen years | creative talent and corporate brands | 74.0 | – |
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| 10 |  Kobre & KimEmploys former U.S. prosecutors stationed permanently in Asia, Europe and the Middle East | – | 74.0 | – |
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How to choose
Start from what you need it for. Where each entry fits best:
Each entry's Lister Score on this ranking weighs fit to the list (40%), evidence on the site (20%), published detail (20%) and buying signals (20%).
Each entry's full verdict is below.
The ranking, in detail
01
The firm of choice for challenging legal issues and significant transactions.
Cravath is a premier US law firm with over two centuries of history. Its practice areas are highly regarded globally.
Best for: clients with critical disputes
PROS- The firm has played a central role in developing how law is practiced.
- The firm's lawyers are recognised worldwide for their commitment to client interests.
CONS- The firm does not strive to be the largest by number of offices or lawyers.
80.0
02
A top-ranked firm punching above its weight in transactional law.
The firm is a leading US law firm with strengths in leveraged finance and high-yield debt. It also expands into bankruptcy, M&A, project finance, digital infrastructure, and digital assets.
Best for: clients seeking market-leading capital markets and banking services
PROS- The firm holds #1 rankings in U.S. High Yield Corporate Bonds and leveraged finance.
- The firm has appointed a Chief AI Strategy Officer to lead innovation efforts.
78.0
03
The merger of excellence and grit
The firm pushes boundaries and challenges assumptions to inform its growth and evolution.
Best for: global innovators and market leaders
PROS- Milbank LLP has supported pro bono clients for over a century.
- The firm provides complementary levels of professional development throughout an attorney's career.
78.0
04
Responsive, independent and client-focused counsel
Olshan Frome Wolosky LLP represents major businesses and entrepreneurs for their most significant transactions. Its client base includes public companies, investment funds, and private entities worldwide.
Best for: shareholder activism and complex litigation clients
PROS- The firm is big enough to handle large transactions yet small enough to be cost-effective.
- Olshan Frome Wolosky holds the top global ranking in shareholder activism by FactSet.
78.0
05
Global law firm with top rankings
Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is a global law firm ranked highly in international legal lists. It provides comprehensive legal services across multiple jurisdictions and practice areas.
Best for: Private equity and corporate transactions
PROS- The firm offers innovative legal services and expands its private capital platform.
- The firm handles complex commercial litigation and banking enforcement matters globally.
76.0
06
Built on a rich legacy focused on your future
Hughes Hubbard & Reed is an international law firm defined by quality and collaboration. It combines top-tier litigation and complex finance capabilities with an intentionally lean model.
Best for: high-stakes matters requiring elite judgment
PROS- The firm gives clients direct access to senior lawyers for faster decision-making.
- The firm maintains a long-held dedication to inclusion and outsized pro bono work.
76.0
07
A personalised approach to sophisticated legal results.
Morrison Cohen is a New York-based full-service law firm serving clients across twelve major sectors. It is consistently ranked among the best midsize firms in New York.
Best for: clients needing specialised digital assets and fintech expertise
PROS- The firm accesses a global network of over 4,500 lawyers through Mackrell International.
- Morrison Cohen provides an interactive tracker for cryptocurrency and blockchain dispute developments.
76.0
08
Putting collective experience to work for clients' success
The firm dedicates its collective expertise to ensuring client success across various legal disciplines.
Best for: complex cross-border transactions and high-stakes litigation
PROS- The firm operates fifteen offices in major global financial hubs.
- The firm employs approximately two thousand lawyers worldwide.
76.0
09
Leading practices in entertainment and intellectual property.
Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz provides high-quality legal services to clients across various industries worldwide.
Best for: creative talent and corporate brands
PROS- The firm has received five-star ratings from the Legal 500 and Chambers USA.
- The firm has been named one of the Best Places to Work in New York City for fourteen years.
74.0
10
Aggressive, global, and conflict-free disputes counsel.
Kobre & Kim is an aggressive and global firm. It operates conflict-free across multiple jurisdictions.
PROS- The firm acts as special conflicts counsel to avoid conflicts in complex international disputes.
- The firm employs former U.S. prosecutors stationed permanently in Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
74.0
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best Law firms in New York?
Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP ranks first on Lister. Cravath is a premier US law firm with over two centuries of history. Its practice areas are highly regarded globally.
What are the top 10 Law firms in New York?
1. Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP; 2. Cahill Gordon & Reindel; 3. Milbank LLP; 4. Olshan Frome Wolosky; 5. Debevoise & Plimpton LLP; 6. Hughes Hubbard & Reed; 7. Morrison Cohen; 8. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP; 9. Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz; 10. Kobre & Kim.
What do the top four say they are built for?
Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP says it is built for clients with critical disputes, and Cahill Gordon & Reindel for clients seeking market-leading capital markets and banking services. Milbank LLP says it is built for global innovators and market leaders, and Olshan Frome Wolosky for shareholder activism and complex litigation clients.
What should a buyer check before signing up?
Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP states that the firm does not strive to be the largest by number of offices or lawyers. Those are the limits each firm publishes itself, not a full account of any plan.
Sources
Where we checked each company's facts, and when.
Sources for 5 more companies