The premium rate club is declining, with 16% fewer law firms identified as worth the highest of the high rates a client pays. One major factor is the decline of high-rate bet-the-company work. Clients also are using a smaller law firm roster than prior years. This combination of factors results in more intense competition for the highest octane work. Legal decision makers are demanding the absolute best service and results from their law firms—and fewer firms have met the challenge.
The law firms bucking the trend and climbing the Premium Worthy ranks in the just-released BTI Brand Elite 2015 are:
New Best of the Best in 2015
Alston & Bird
Sidley Austin
Sullivan & Cromwell
New Leaders in 2015
Baker Botts
Debevoise & Plimpton
DLA Piper
K&L Gates
Norton Rose Fulbright
Paul Hastings
Ropes & Gray
Vinson & Elkins
Learn more about what makes premium rates worthwhile to general counsel in the new BTI Brand Elite 2015: Client Perceptions of the Best-Branded Law Firms, available now.