Seven of the Top Law Firms in California!
When you're dealing with legal matters, finding the right attorney can mean the difference between peace of mind and utter despair. In California, the attorneys hired by private citizens, corporations, and the government to tackle important cases and causes work in firms dedicated to expert representation, litigation mastery, and deep-seated, well-developed understanding of Golden State law.
No matter what you need-from water rights issues to personal representation to complex corporate negotiations-California's best lawyers have you covered. We've assembled a list-in no particular order-of seven of the best law firms in the Eureka State.
1. Best Best & Krieger, LLP
Rated Tier One by U.S. News and World Report for water and environmental law, Best Best and Krieger has been providing legal services to Californians since 1891. With advanced expertise in the increasingly complex area of natural resource law, this firm handles water rights, water access, and water quality law, and has been involved in California's water management efforts since the firm was contracted to assist with the State Water Project.
Why They're Legal Eagles: The firm began in California, but is now bi-coastal, with offices in Washington, D.C. as well as throughout the Golden State. In addition to their expertise in matters environmental, the firm is also the go-to legal team for dozens of California cities, water districts, and school districts. The firm also focuses on client and public education, hosting a legal blog discussing issues of major importance to Californians and clients around the world.
Areas of Practice: Bankruptcy, Business Services, Education Law, Eminent Domain, Environmental Law & Natural Resources, Health Care, Labor & Employment, Litigation, Municipal Law, Public Finance, Special Districts, Sustainable Communities, Trust and Estate Planning, Administration, and Litigation
2. Kendall Brill & Kelly LLP
California is not just the land of milk & honey; it's also the land of stars and silver screens. And when it comes to entertainment law, the award-winning team at Kendall Brill & Kelly is always ready for their close-up. This relatively young firm (founded in 2009) nevertheless offers old-school legal assistance, with a strong focus on getting results for big-name clients such as Viacom, David Beckham, CBS, and Nickelodeon.
Why They're Legal Eagles: Ever wondered who lawyers call when they need a lawyer? They specialize in entertainment and intellectual property litigation, but KBK also approaches the bench to handle complex legal malpractice and professional responsibility cases. The senior partners in the firm have also distinguished themselves by being named "best of" in multiple categories at the state and national level-including a Tier One ranking from U.S. News and World Report.
Areas of Practice: Entertainment and Intellectual Property Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Appellate and Constitutional Litigation, Securities and Financial Services Litigation, Professional Responsibility and Legal Malpractice Litigation
3. Rosen Bien Galvan & Grunfeld LLP
Ranked at Tier One in three areas by U.S. News & World Report-Commercial Litigation, Appellate Practice and Civil Rights-for 2015, this San Francisco firm was founded in 1990, and provides services to clients across California and nationwide. The firm has a special focus on civil rights and constitutional cases, and has actively affected California public policy through several victories, including helping to secure the benefits of California police officers as well as helping to improve the treatment of inmates in the California prison system.
Why They're Legal Eagles: Beyond complex litigation and commercial concerns, this firm has made a name for itself by helping to fight for the rights of everyday Californians. In addition to winning numerous class-action suits to secure or protect worker benefits, pensions, and salaries, the firm won a 2016 settlement that effectively ended discrimination against blind Uber passengers who use guide dogs.
Areas of Practice: More than a dozen areas, including Commercial Litigation, Civil Rights/Civil Liberties, Legal Malpractice, Employee Benefits Litigation, and Appeals.
4. Irell & Manella LLP
With multiple Tier One rankings from U.S. News and World Report and two locations that cover both California and national clients, Irell & Manella is a legal powerhouse with a tradition of excellence, a focus on intellectual property and business law, and a commitment to pro bono work. Founded in 1941, the firm-which has grown to include more than 220 attorneys-is a proud signee of the Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge, a standard created to encourage the world's largest law firms to create widespread, meaningful impact through pro bono work.
Why They're Legal Eagles: With a laundry list of practice areas and skills, the lawyers of Irell & Manella have assisted with major studio sales, defended intellectual property, and defended clients from antitrust suits. But despite being a very large firm with a list of large clients, Irell & Manella's commitment to pro bono work drives them to provide legal assistance to individuals from all walks of life. The firm has partnered with a wide range of associations (including the American Civil Liberties Union, AMVETS Legal Clinic, Public Law Center, and Lambda Legal) to make legal help accessible to those who need it most. They've also partnered with the Alliance for Children's Rights to support Adoption Day, a program designed to help match children with adoptive families.
Areas of Practice: More than twenty areas, including Antitrust, Art, Class Action Defense, Cyber Liability and Privacy, IP Litigation, and Patent, Copyright, & Trademark.
5. Cooley LLP
Since its founding in 1920, Cooley has positioned itself at the heart of California's legal matters. Today, the firm spans twelve offices across seven states and three countries, and employs more than 2,000 legal experts worldwide, with a focus on building a "single global partnership" that's focused primarily on advertising, antitrust, class action suits, and intellectual property. The firm also has a strong history in the tech field, having been instrumental in the formation of Raychem and National Semiconductor, as well as taking companies such as Qualcomm, Genentech, and Amgen public.
Why They're Legal Eagles: Despite having grown to become an internationally respected legal juggernaut, Cooley remains headquartered in California, and has a special interest in both standard and pro bono cases in the Golden State.
Areas of Practice: Dozens of areas and industries, including Antitrust, Tax, IP, Environmental, Privacy and Data Protection, and Higher Education.
6. Adler & Colvin
Focused on legal assistance for the nonprofit sector, Adler & Colvin-founded in 2008-is rated Tier One in both Non-Profit/Charities Law and Tax Law by U.S. News & World Report. The firm offers its services to a wide range of not-for-profit organizations and philanthropic individuals, including Google.org, MoveOn.org, and the California Clean Energy Fund.
Why They're Legal Eagles: Although this San Francisco firm wasn't founded until 2008, it has accomplished some significant victories and legal progress for its clients. Its lawyers also write a regularly updated blog covering issues of importance to nonprofit clients and those looking to start a nonprofit, and several members of the firm have testified at Congressional hearings on nonprofit law. In addition, the firm offers occasional seminars covering tax, charity, and philanthropic topics.
Areas of Practice: More than a dozen areas of expertise, including Formation & Tax Exempt Status, Public Charities, Charitable Gift Planning, and Social Enterprise.
7. Bisnar Chase
Ranked at Tier Two for Personal Injury and Product Liability Litigation (Plaintiffs) by U.S. News and World Report, this firm is focused on representing plaintiffs in litigation, and securing the verdicts and compensation they desire and deserve. Specializing in representing "people who are seriously injured or lost a family member due to an accident or a defective product," as well as "people who have been denied employment rights," this firm has been helping Californians fight the good fight in court since 1978.
Why They're Legal Eagles: "Results oriented" is something of an understatement with Bisnar Chase. Since its founding, the firm has collected more than a quarter of a billion dollars in settlements and verdicts for its clientele. Over thousands of cases, they've secured win after win in cases dealing with everything from catastrophic injury to wage disputes, dog bites, and premises liability.
Areas of Practice: A wide range of personal and product liability litigation, including Premises Liability, Wrongful Death, Defective Products, and Employment Law.