Inside the Chambers
USA guide

7

months of in-depth research

1,300

ranking tables in all 50 states, D.C.

and nationwide

1.2 million

data points analyzed

Chambers USA guide 2026

The Chambers USA Guide is the most authoritative source for clients seeking independently vetted external counsel, and for law firms seeking data and insights on benchmarking.

This year’s guide is the definitive resource to identify the United States’ leading attorneys and practice groups, based on over 75,000 interviews and surveys and a review of nearly 16,000 law firm submissions.

USA Guide 2026 contains a number of new areas of coverage, most notably in Asset Management M&A, National Security and expanding our plaintiff-side litigation coverage.

77,725

responses from in-house clients, law firm attorneys and third-party experts

15,827

submissions reviewed from law firms seeking consideration

Chambers USA Guide 2026

Key results from the rankings

98 Band One Rankings

486 Attorney Rankings

Most Individual Rankings (6)

Enu Mainigi
Williams & Connolly

Mitchell Bloom
Goodwin

Tom Melsheimer
King & Spalding

Tarek Ismail Goldman Ismail

Private capital has, arguably, been the single most important driving force in the acceleration of the legal services market.

Recognizing its centrality to the legal market, this year we are delighted to announce a new Asset Management M&A table, highlighting law firms and attorneys who are deeply specialized in advising asset management clients on strategic acquisitions and investments within the asset management space.

This addition continues to round out Chambers’ leading coverage of the private capital space and showcases the law firms that demonstrate excellence in areas core to sponsors’ legal needs.

The heatmap (right) illustrates how leading firms are positioned across these areas, with only a small group demonstrating broad, consistent coverage. Latham & Watkins stands alone in achieving rankings across all core private capital categories.

Asset Management M&A

New coverage areas

National security

Geopolitics have never been more important as a part of a legal practice as we find ourselves right now, so it's important for some of the best firms in the world to have significant national security practices.

Chambers USA Respondent

National security has become an increasingly important driver of complexity in major international M&A and commercial matters.

Recognizing this shift, this year we are delighted to introduce a new National Security table, highlighting law firms and attorneys who are deeply specialized in advising on matters involving geopolitical risk, foreign investment scrutiny, and other security-sensitive regulatory frameworks.

This section reflects the growing intersection of national security considerations with a wide range of legal disciplines, and showcases the firms that demonstrate a breadth of expertise across these areas.

The firms ranked here are those considered a first choice for organizations navigating national security risk, based on their ability to deliver coordinated, cross-disciplinary advice across complex mandates.

As the market shifts, so do the markers of excellence. The Chambers USA Guide remains the definitive benchmark for identifying the firms and lawyers setting that standard.

Drawing on extensive client feedback, demand analysis and comparative research, this year’s findings highlight a market that is growing, but increasingly fragmented - with performance defined not only by legal expertise, but by delivery, value and adaptability.

The Chambers USA Guide 2026 is now live on Chambers.com, freely accessible for clients seeking trusted counsel and for law firms looking to benchmark their position in a rapidly evolving market.

Finally, we would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the more than 75,000 clients, lawyers and market participants who contributed to this year’s research, and we look forward to seeing how these dynamics continue to develop over the year ahead.

Kush Cheema, Research Director
Kush.Cheema@chambers.com

James Haggerty, Research Director
James.Haggerty@chambers.com