If you’re working in-house and dealing with bet-the-company litigation, you want the very best litigators in the world to be on your side. You want a firm with litigators so strong that opponents gasp in fear at the very mention of its name. You want a firm that is known internationally for going for the jugular and coming out on top.
But how can you ensure that you’ve picked the right firm? BTI Consulting Group just made it a little easier with the release of its annual ranking of the firms most likely to trigger dread in opposing counsel, as determined by a poll of in-house counsel. Per BTI’s Michael Rynowecer, “These firms strike the utmost fear into the hearts of seasoned general counsel and legal decision-makers alike. They are unflinching. Strategically unpredictable. Ready for every scenario. And are quick to remind everyone they don’t litigate – they win.” The “Fearsome Foursome” are the most-feared litigation firms in the country. These are the firms you do not want to see on the other side, the firms that give GCs nightmares.
So, which firms are being honored this year for their ability to strike fear in their opponents’ hearts and minds?
- Quinn Emanuel (this is the firm’s fourth year in the top spot)
- Kirkland & Ellis
- Skadden
- Gibson Dunn
The BTI report also named 12 firms as “Feared Opponents” — firms with lawyers corporate counsel would prefer to steer clear of in litigation (in alphabetical order):
- Boies Schiller Flexner
- Cravath
- Greenberg Traurig
- Husch Blackwell
- Latham & Watkins
- Susman Godfrey
- Troutman Pepper Locke
- Wachtell Lipton
- Weil
- Williams & Connolly
- WilmerHale
BTI has also introduced an additional 45 law firms as “Awesome Opponents” and 37 firms as “Intimidating Opponents” (i.e., firms clients would “rather not see” in litigation). Click here to see the full lists.
Congratulations to all of these hardworking firms, and good luck to those who oppose them in court — it certainly sounds like you’ll need it.
Clients Single Out the 98 Most Feared Law Firms [Mad Clientist / BTI Consulting Group]
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 The Biglaw Firms That Strike Fear In The Hearts Of Opposing Counsel (2026) appeared first on Above the Law.
If you’re working in-house and dealing with bet-the-company litigation, you want the very best litigators in the world to be on your side. You want a firm with litigators so strong that opponents gasp in fear at the very mention of its name. You want a firm that is known internationally for going for the jugular and coming out on top.
But how can you ensure that you’ve picked the right firm? BTI Consulting Group just made it a little easier with the release of its annual ranking of the firms most likely to trigger dread in opposing counsel, as determined by a poll of in-house counsel. Per BTI’s Michael Rynowecer, “These firms strike the utmost fear into the hearts of seasoned general counsel and legal decision-makers alike. They are unflinching. Strategically unpredictable. Ready for every scenario. And are quick to remind everyone they don’t litigate – they win.” The “Fearsome Foursome” are the most-feared litigation firms in the country. These are the firms you do not want to see on the other side, the firms that give GCs nightmares.
So, which firms are being honored this year for their ability to strike fear in their opponents’ hearts and minds?
- Quinn Emanuel (this is the firm’s fourth year in the top spot)
- Kirkland & Ellis
- Skadden
- Gibson Dunn
The BTI report also named 12 firms as “Feared Opponents” — firms with lawyers corporate counsel would prefer to steer clear of in litigation (in alphabetical order):
- Boies Schiller Flexner
- Cravath
- Greenberg Traurig
- Husch Blackwell
- Latham & Watkins
- Susman Godfrey
- Troutman Pepper Locke
- Wachtell Lipton
- Weil
- Williams & Connolly
- WilmerHale
BTI has also introduced an additional 45 law firms as “Awesome Opponents” and 37 firms as “Intimidating Opponents” (i.e., firms clients would “rather not see” in litigation). Click here to see the full lists.
Congratulations to all of these hardworking firms, and good luck to those who oppose them in court — it certainly sounds like you’ll need it.
Clients Single Out the 98 Most Feared Law Firms [Mad Clientist / BTI Consulting Group]
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.
