The legal profession in the United States is vast, with many exceptional lawyers making significant impacts across various areas of law. Whether in criminal law, corporate law, family law, or civil litigation, the legal professionals listed below have earned recognition for their expertise, track records, and high standards of legal practice. For 2024, here’s a curated list of some of the best lawyers in America who continue to shape the legal landscape.
1. David Boies – Legendary Trial Lawyer
David Boies is one of the most well-known and respected trial lawyers in America. He has represented clients in some of the most high-profile cases in U.S. history, including the Gore v. Bush case, which decided the 2000 presidential election, and major antitrust cases.
- Firm: Boies Schiller Flexner LLP
- Specialization: Civil Litigation, Antitrust, Constitutional Law
- Notable Achievements:
- Represented Al Gore in the contested 2000 U.S. presidential election case.
- Defended major corporations in antitrust and commercial litigation.
- Known for his success in both complex litigation and high-stakes trials.
David Boies continues to be a dominant force in American law, known for his skill in handling cases involving national and international implications.
2. Katherine Forrest – Leading Antitrust and Litigation Expert
Katherine Forrest, a former U.S. District Judge, is recognized as a powerhouse in the areas of antitrust, commercial litigation, and securities law. Her unique combination of judicial experience and expertise in complex legal matters makes her a sought-after attorney.
- Firm: Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP
- Specialization: Antitrust, Securities, Commercial Litigation
- Notable Achievements:
- Former U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of New York.
- Successfully represented clients in complex antitrust and securities cases.
- Known for her ability to navigate intricate regulatory environments and litigation strategies.
Katherine Forrest’s unique perspective as both a former judge and a top-litigator has solidified her as one of the best lawyers in America.
3. Brad Karp – Leading Corporate and Securities Lawyer
Brad Karp is the Chairman of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, and he has established a formidable reputation in corporate law, particularly in the realms of mergers, acquisitions, and securities law.
- Firm: Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
- Specialization: Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions, Securities Law
- Notable Achievements:
- Represented major corporations in multi-billion dollar mergers and acquisitions.
- Known for handling some of the most complicated and high-profile corporate legal matters.
- Regularly ranked as one of the top corporate lawyers in America.
Brad Karp’s leadership at one of the top law firms in the country has earned him widespread acclaim for his work in corporate and securities law.
4. Roberta A. Kaplan – Leading Litigation and Civil Rights Lawyer
Roberta A. Kaplan is an accomplished litigator and civil rights attorney, known for her work in landmark legal cases related to LGBTQ+ rights and women’s rights. Her legal expertise is often sought after in high-profile constitutional matters.
- Firm: Kaplan Hecker & Fink LLP
- Specialization: Civil Rights, Litigation, Constitutional Law
- Notable Achievements:
- Represented Edith Windsor in the landmark case United States v. Windsor, which struck down parts of the Defense of Marriage Act.
- Advocated for women’s rights and racial equality through various cases.
- Known for her work with LGBTQ+ legal issues, earning national recognition for her advocacy.
Roberta Kaplan is regarded as one of the most prominent civil rights lawyers in America today, with a focus on groundbreaking constitutional law cases.
5. Preet Bharara – Former U.S. Attorney and Criminal Law Expert
Preet Bharara, the former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, is a well-known figure in the criminal law field. He has led high-profile criminal investigations and prosecutions, particularly in the areas of financial crime, terrorism, and public corruption.
- Firm: WilmerHale
- Specialization: Criminal Law, White-Collar Crime, Government Investigations
- Notable Achievements:
- Led the prosecution of significant financial crimes, including the cases against major Wall Street figures.
- Gained national recognition for his work in combating corruption and terrorism.
- Continues to advise on criminal defense and investigations, post his tenure as U.S. Attorney.
Preet Bharara remains a key figure in criminal law, known for his leadership in prosecuting major criminal cases and his expertise in white-collar crime.
6. Thomas V. Girardi – Personal Injury and Class Action Lawyer
Thomas V. Girardi is a renowned personal injury lawyer with decades of experience handling complex cases. He is best known for his work in class action lawsuits and catastrophic injury cases.
- Firm: Girardi Keese
- Specialization: Personal Injury, Class Actions, Mass Torts
- Notable Achievements:
- Won one of the largest settlements in U.S. history in a case against Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E).
- Successfully represented plaintiffs in a variety of mass tort and class action cases.
- Known for his fierce advocacy on behalf of individuals who have been wronged by powerful corporations.
Thomas V. Girardi’s career is a testament to his passion for fighting for victims of injustice, particularly in the areas of personal injury and corporate accountability.
7. John Roberts – Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court
Although not a practicing lawyer, Chief Justice John Roberts is one of the most influential legal figures in America. As the head of the U.S. Supreme Court, his decisions shape the nation’s legal framework, especially in constitutional law and civil rights.
- Position: Chief Justice, United States Supreme Court
- Specialization: Constitutional Law, Civil Rights
- Notable Achievements:
- Presides over the highest court in the land, overseeing landmark decisions in constitutional law.
- Known for his fair and balanced approach to judicial interpretation, with significant rulings on issues like healthcare and same-sex marriage.
While Chief Justice Roberts is not directly involved in private legal practice, his role as the head of the U.S. Supreme Court places him among the most influential legal professionals in the country.
8. Elizabeth Cabraser – Expert in Mass Torts and Consumer Protection
Elizabeth Cabraser is a recognized leader in mass torts and consumer protection law, known for her ability to handle complex multi-district litigation. She has represented plaintiffs in some of the largest class action lawsuits in the U.S.
- Firm: Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein LLP
- Specialization: Mass Torts, Consumer Protection, Class Actions
- Notable Achievements:
- Represented plaintiffs in cases against large corporations, including cases involving dangerous pharmaceutical products and environmental damage.
- Recognized for her role in shaping class action law, particularly regarding consumer protection and corporate accountability.
- Successfully obtained multi-billion dollar settlements for her clients.
Elizabeth Cabraser’s work in advocating for consumer rights and holding corporations accountable has earned her a place among the top lawyers in America.
9. William S. Lerach – Class Action and Securities Litigation Lawyer
William S. Lerach, a former partner at Milberg Weiss Bershad Hynes & Lerach LLP, is known for his work in securities litigation and class actions. He has been involved in some of the largest class action settlements in U.S. history.
- Firm: Formerly Milberg Weiss Bershad Hynes & Lerach LLP
- Specialization: Securities Law, Class Actions, Commercial Litigation
- Notable Achievements:
- Contributed to some of the largest securities fraud settlements.
- Known for his successful prosecution of large-scale corporate fraud cases.
- Has played a critical role in landmark class action cases across the U.S.
William S. Lerach’s expertise in securities litigation has made him one of the most influential lawyers in the field of class action law.
10. Martha L. Minow – Legal Scholar and Expert in Civil Rights
Martha L. Minow is a professor at Harvard Law School and a prominent figure in the field of civil rights. Her work spans both academic and practical legal issues, particularly in the areas of human rights and civil liberties.
- Position: Professor at Harvard Law School
- Specialization: Civil Rights, Human Rights, Constitutional Law
- Notable Achievements:
- Author of influential books on civil rights law and justice.
- Has contributed to major legal reforms in the areas of human rights and equality.
- Recognized as a leading scholar and advocate for the marginalized.
Martha L. Minow’s work both in academia and in the public interest makes her a leading figure in U.S. legal circles, particularly in human rights law.