Forbes recently rolled out its second-annual list of America’s top lawyers, and as you might expect, it’s packed with familiar names from the upper echelons of the profession. The ranking spans lawyers from Biglaw to boutique firms who’ve left their mark on the past year’s biggest matters, putting the spotlight on attorneys whose influence, integrity, and litigation or transactional track records make them stand out far above the rest.
Readers of Above the Law will spot some well-known faces, including familiar power players across legal specialties. So, which lawyers can be found on this list? Here are just a few.
- Karen Dunn, founding partner of Dunn Isaacson Rhee, earned recognition for her superior trial skills in the wake of exiting Paul Weiss in protest of the firm’s deal with the Trump administration.
- Marc Elias continues to set the pace in election law and voting rights litigation, maintaining his place as the lawyer you want for politically consequential litigation.
- Roberta Kaplan of Kaplan Martin is credited with shaping the conversation on equality and accountability through impact litigation. She’s cemented her place as one of the country’s most influential trial lawyers.
- Neal Katyal of Milbank keeps his streak alive as one of the most prolific Supreme Court advocates of all time, having argued more than 50 cases before the justices. His status as a thoughtful constitutional lawyer has made him a fixture in high-stakes appeals.
- Yvette Ostolaza, chair of Sidley’s management committee, has been recognized for her leadership in steering one of the world’s largest law firms while maintaining an active practice in complex litigation.
- Mathew Rosengart of Greenberg Traurig has become a household name for his high-profile advocacy. Some of his more public-facing wins — like his work on Britney Spears’s conservatorship — underscore why he’s referred to as a “revered” litigator.
- Faiza Saeed, Cravath’s managing partner, has earned praise for guiding the firm through a shifting legal market while maintaining her place as one of the most influential dealmakers and law firm leaders of her generation.
- Alex Spiro of Quinn Emanuel remains the go-to trial lawyer for celebrities and CEOs alike, having carved out a reputation for himself for his sharp strategy and courtroom swagger.
This list isn’t just about prestige; it’s a signal of who’s driving the conversation in the legal world right now. From Supreme Court advocates to transactional rainmakers, Forbes has captured a snapshot of the lawyers whose influence extends well beyond the courtroom.
Click here to see the full ranking.
Congratulations to all of the attorneys who made the cut — whether you’re shaping precedent, closing billion-dollar deals, or advising the C-suite, your work continues to define what it means to practice at the very top of this profession.
America’s Top Lawyers 2025 [Forbes]
Staci Zaretsky is the managing editor of Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Bluesky, X/Twitter, and Threads, or connect with her on LinkedIn.
The post Forbes Unveils 2025 List Of America’s Top 200 Lawyers appeared first on Above the Law.
Forbes recently rolled out its second-annual list of America’s top lawyers, and as you might expect, it’s packed with familiar names from the upper echelons of the profession. The ranking spans lawyers from Biglaw to boutique firms who’ve left their mark on the past year’s biggest matters, putting the spotlight on attorneys whose influence, integrity, and litigation or transactional track records make them stand out far above the rest.
Readers of Above the Law will spot some well-known faces, including familiar power players across legal specialties. So, which lawyers can be found on this list? Here are just a few.
- Karen Dunn, founding partner of Dunn Isaacson Rhee, earned recognition for her superior trial skills in the wake of exiting Paul Weiss in protest of the firm’s deal with the Trump administration.
- Marc Elias continues to set the pace in election law and voting rights litigation, maintaining his place as the lawyer you want for politically consequential litigation.
- Roberta Kaplan of Kaplan Martin is credited with shaping the conversation on equality and accountability through impact litigation. She’s cemented her place as one of the country’s most influential trial lawyers.
- Neal Katyal of Milbank keeps his streak alive as one of the most prolific Supreme Court advocates of all time, having argued more than 50 cases before the justices. His status as a thoughtful constitutional lawyer has made him a fixture in high-stakes appeals.
- Yvette Ostolaza, chair of Sidley’s management committee, has been recognized for her leadership in steering one of the world’s largest law firms while maintaining an active practice in complex litigation.
- Mathew Rosengart of Greenberg Traurig has become a household name for his high-profile advocacy. Some of his more public-facing wins — like his work on Britney Spears’s conservatorship — underscore why he’s referred to as a “revered” litigator.
- Faiza Saeed, Cravath’s managing partner, has earned praise for guiding the firm through a shifting legal market while maintaining her place as one of the most influential dealmakers and law firm leaders of her generation.
- Alex Spiro of Quinn Emanuel remains the go-to trial lawyer for celebrities and CEOs alike, having carved out a reputation for himself for his sharp strategy and courtroom swagger.
This list isn’t just about prestige; it’s a signal of who’s driving the conversation in the legal world right now. From Supreme Court advocates to transactional rainmakers, Forbes has captured a snapshot of the lawyers whose influence extends well beyond the courtroom.
Click here to see the full ranking.
Congratulations to all of the attorneys who made the cut — whether you’re shaping precedent, closing billion-dollar deals, or advising the C-suite, your work continues to define what it means to practice at the very top of this profession.
America’s Top Lawyers 2025 [Forbes]
Staci Zaretsky is the managing editor of Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Bluesky, X/Twitter, and Threads, or connect with her on LinkedIn.
