New York, NY, (June 27, 2012) Vault.com, the source of ratings, rankings and insight for law students and lawyers, has released its Practice Area Rankings for 2013, examining how law firms rank in 23 practice areas ranging from Antitrust to Technology. 

Vault’s influential rankings, considered the “bible” for law students, associates, partners and law firm recruiters, provide a detailed perspective on the criteria considered by candidates when evaluating law firms. In order to determine the Vault Practice Area Rankings, nearly 17,000 associates were asked to vote for up to three firms they consider strongest in their own practice area, but were not permitted to vote for their own firm.  Vault’s rankings indicate the top firms in each area, as well the total percentage of votes, offering law students and associates a tool to aid in their career search.

“Many law students—and most potential lateral associates—have a sense for what kind of law they hope to practice,” said Rachel Marx, law editor at Vault.com. “Vault’s Practice Area Rankings help applicants focus their job search based on their long-term career goals.”  

Top Ranked Firms in Corporate Categories and Representative “Buzz” From Associates at Peer Firms:

General Corporate Practice: Wachtell Lipton (“Gold standard corporate firm”)

Financial Services: Sullivan & Cromwell (“Top notch lawyers”)

M&A: Wachtell Lipton (“Excellent New York M&A”)

Private Equity: Simpson Thacher (“Private equity powerhouse”)

Securities: Sullivan & Cromwell (“Stellar firm”)

Top Ranked Firms in Litigation Categories and Representative “Buzz” From Associates at Peer Firms:

General Commercial Litigation: Quinn Emanuel (“Trial leaders”)

Appellate Litigation: Gibson Dunn (“Fantastic litigators”)

Class Actions: Skadden Arps (“Cream of the crop”)

Products Liability: Skadden Arps (“Best all around”)

Securities Litigation: Skadden Arps (“Great reputation”)

White Collar Defense: Williams & Connolly (“Best litigators by a mile”)

Litigation Boutiques: Susman Godfrey

Top Ranked Firms in Other Categories and Representative “Buzz” From Associates at Peer Firms:

Antitrust: Cleary Gottlieb (“Solid all around”)

Bankruptcy: Weil Gotshal (“Bankruptcy masters”)

Clean Tech: Morrison & Foerster (“Progressive and smart”)

Energy: Vinson & Elkins (“Oil and gas central”)

Intellectual Property: Fish & Richardson (“As good as it gets for IP”)

Intellectual Property Boutiques: Knobbe, Martens, Olson & Bear

International: Freshfields (“International powerhouse”)

Labor & Employment: Seyfarth Shaw (“Excellent labor and employment”)

Real Estate: Fried Frank (“Bright, hard-working attorneys”)

Tax: Skadden Arps (“Precise”)

Technology: Fish & Richardson (“Technology savvy”)