98 law firms instill more fear than all others. Up from 84 last year. And it’s no coincidence.
The brand-new BTI Litigation Outlook 2026 reveals why today’s litigation is the most contentious and aggressive in memory. Clients want outside counsel with ferocity – and it’s giving an edge to the BTI Fearsome Foursome and 94 other firms who put opponents instantly on defense.
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.
Only the BTI Litigation Outlook 2026 maps out exactly who the feared firms are – and shows how your firm can climb the ranks of the fearsome.
You have only one place to see where your firm ranks in the world in the BTI Litigation Outlook 2026 – use it to build, defend, and bolster your market position.
Congratulations to the most feared firms – and especially to Quinn Emanuel, recognized as the Number 1 Most Feared Law Firm for the fourth year in a row.
The BTI Fearsome Foursome 2026
Quinn Emanuel
Kirkland & Ellis
Skadden
Gibson Dunn
The BTI Feared Opponents 2026
-
- Boies Schiller Flexner
- Cravath
- Greenberg Traurig
- Husch Blackwell
- Jones Day
- Latham & Watkins
-
- Susman Godfrey
- Troutman Pepper Locke
- Wachtell Lipton
- Weil
- Williams & Connolly
- WilmerHale
The BTI Awesome Opponents 2026
- Ahmad, Zavitsanos & Mensing
- Alston & Bird
- ArentFox Schiff
- Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo
- Bartlit Beck
- Bondurant Mixson & Elmore
- Clare Locke
- Cooley
- Covington
- Debevoise
- Dentons
- Duane Morris
- Faegre Drinker
- Fish
- Fried Frank
- Glaser Weil
- Hogan Lovells
- Hueston Hennigan
- Irell & Manella
- Jackson Lewis
- Jenner & Block
- Jones Walker
- Kasowitz
- King & Spalding
- Littler
- Manning Kass
- Maynard Nexsen
- McKool Smith
- Morgan Lewis
- Morrison & Foerster
- Nelson Mullins
- O’Melveny
- Orrick
- Paul Hastings
- Paul, Weiss
- Perkins Coie
- Robins Kaplan
- Ropes & Gray
- Sidley
- Sullivan & Cromwell
- Venable
- White & Case
- Wilson Elser
- Wilson Sonsini
- Womble Bond Dickinson
The BTI Intimidating Opponents 2026
- Akin
- Anderson Kill
- Arnold & Porter
- BakerHostetler
- Ballard Spahr
- Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann
- Carpenter Lipps
- Cleary Gottlieb
- Davis Wright Tremaine
- Dechert
- Desmarais
- DLA Piper
- Dowd Bennett
- Fasken
- Finnegan
- Foley Hoag
- Goodwin
- Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani
- Goulston & Storrs
- Hecker Fink
- Jackson Walker
- Manatt
- McGuireWoods
- Mintz
- Motley Rice
- Osler
- Pillsbury
- Proskauer
- Quarles
- Robinson+Cole
- Sheppard Mullin
- Slaughter and May
- Vinson & Elkins
- Warner Norcross + Judd
- Wiley
- Winston & Strawn
- Zarwin Baum
In addition the most feared – Discover the details on law firms’ reputations in litigation and learn exactly – firm by firm – who clients rank as:
- Powerhouses
- Leaders
- Distinguished
- Standouts
Better Business Development
Learn the most up-to-date and detailed business development tactics for 8 key areas of litigation. Use the BTI Litigation Outlook 2026 to map out exactly where the litigation spending is and isn’t – enabling you to target your business development efforts to the best and most robust opportunities.
Best in the market ahead –
MBR
The Mad Clientist
p.s. The BTI Litigation Outlook 2026: More Contentious. More Complex. More Spending. is available now. The Gold Standard for 15 years – learn where the complex matters are, how to win them – and who clients rank as best. Order Today!
Want to learn more about being Fearsome? We’ll be sending out more Fearsome insights soon. Enter your email address here so you don’t miss any:
Forwarded to you? Get your own copy every week! Subscribe below.
Stay ahead of the market with BTI's latest research
