Considering that Washington, DC is home to the federal government, there are lots of opportunities for both novice and professional lawyers. A considerable number of government agencies, departments, and contractors drive the high demand for law practitioners. As a result of these abundant opportunities, Washington, DC, is the largest legal market in the US, with nine times more attorneys than New York. If you are considering testing the waters in DC, find solace in knowing that it is one of the most lucrative markets for legal practitioners. To help you make an informed decision, we decided to write about a few of the best law firms in Washington, DC, but you can always look up our comprehensive directory of the top law firms in DC in this post.

How Is the Legal Market in Washington DC?

Legal practice in Washington, DC, is often closely related to governmental work, with the main emphasis on administrative law. Therefore, for a lawyer looking to specialize in regulatory and corporate practice, DC is indeed the place to be. And that’s not all. DC also offers some of the best remunerations for lawyers in the country. As of February 26^th, 2020, the average salary for an attorney in DC was $142,865. However, the range fluctuates between $120,572 and $166,959 depending on several factors such as experience, special skills, level of education, and certifications.
 

The Best Law Firms in Washington, DC

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
 

Comprising of notable consultants and attorneys, some of whom have been members of congress, this law firm has established an outstanding reputation for its personalized law services in Washington and beyond. Though it is traditionally famous as a creditors practice law firm, it also offers a broad spectrum of law services such as healthcare, tax, trade, environment, and Native American law.


Covington & Burling LLP
 

Covington & Burling has been a significant player in Washington DC’s legal market since 1919, but it has expanded its reach to other states in the US and even has offices in Asia and Europe. With its team of over 900 attorneys, the firm serves clients in a wide array of industries. Their significant practice encompasses investigations, litigation, and corporate practices specializing in complex business problems, disputes, and deals.

Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP
 

Arnold & Porter is another top law firm in Washington, DC. It boasts over1000 lawyers and several offices in strategic locations across the globe. The firm is renowned for its capability to handle intricate transactional and litigation problems in over 30 practice areas. These include but not limited to corporate finance, bankruptcy, litigation, real estate, intellectual property, and tax.

Baker Botts
 

Baker Botts is arguably one of the best law firms in Washington, DC, an international law firm with more than 700 lawyers in 14 offices around the world and a 179-year history under its belt. The firm has built its reputation around life sciences, technology, environmental law, I.P., project finance, litigation, and energy sectors.

Boies Schiller Flexner LLP
 

Boies Schiller Flexner LLP is a leading international dispute resolution firm with its main offices in Washington, DC. It is famous for winning sophisticated and high-risk disputes that other firms in its caliber have failed. Owing to its reputation, it has become the go-to law firm for U.K. and US financial institutions, corporations, investment funds, and governments when it comes to handling arbitrations, multi-jurisdictional litigations, and investigations.

Dechert
 

Dechert has over 1000 employees and 26 offices across the globe, making it one of the biggest firms not only in Washington, DC but also in the US. Moreover, the firm boasts some of the world’s leading attorneys who specialize in cross-border litigations. In DC, it offers a wide array of legal services and specializes in litigation, investigations, financial services, finance, intellectual property, arbitration, corporate, and securities transactions.

Hogan Lovells US LLP
 

Established in 2010, after a merger of London’s Lovells and Hogan & Hartson, this law firm has risen to become one of the best law firms in the United States, ranking 7^th in the country. In its arsenal are 45 offices in 6 continents and over 2800 attorneys who specialize in several practice areas such as transactional law, litigation, tax, government regulatory, and intellectual property, among others.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
 

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is an international law firm established in 1890. With over 200 years under its belt, 20 offices across the globe, and 2200 staff, it is arguably one of the best law firms in Washington, DC, that you can work for. Moreover, it serves clients from several industries specializing in securities, appellate, private equity, antitrust, real estate, and M&A, among others.

DLA Piper
 

DLA Piper is another top law firm in Washington, DC. Besides operating in the US, it serves international clients from its 40 offices located around the world. As of now, it is the third-largest firm in the US in terms of revenue. DLA Piper provides legal services in several areas. Still, the most notable include corporate crime, arbitration, banking, corporate finance, competition and trade, hospitality and leisure, employment, energy, insurance, government affairs, and intellectual property, among others.

What’s the Bottom Line?

Deciding where to kick start or advance your law career is an essential aspect of your professional life. Since different states and cities offer various options in terms of settings and practice areas, it is indispensable that you make a choice that meets your needs and preferences. If none of the law firms in this post interested you for any reason, you could have a look at our comprehensive catalog of the best law firms in Washington DC in this post.

About Harrison Barnes

Harrison Barnes is a prominent figure in the legal placement industry, known for his expertise in attorney placements and his extensive knowledge of the legal profession.

With over 25 years of experience, he has established himself as a leading voice in the field and has helped thousands of lawyers and law students find their ideal career paths.

Barnes is a former federal law clerk and associate at Quinn Emanuel and a graduate of the University of Chicago College and the University of Virginia Law School. He was a Rhodes Scholar Finalist at the University of Chicago and a member of the University of Virginia Law Review. Early in his legal career, he enrolled in Stanford Business School but dropped out because he missed legal recruiting too much.

Barnes' approach to the legal industry is rooted in his commitment to helping lawyers achieve their full potential. He believes that the key to success in the legal profession is to be proactive, persistent, and disciplined in one's approach to work and life. He encourages lawyers to take ownership of their careers and to focus on developing their skills and expertise in a way that aligns with their passions and interests.

One of how Barnes provides support to lawyers is through his writing. On his blog, HarrisonBarnes.com, and BCGSearch.com, he regularly shares his insights and advice on a range of topics related to the legal profession. Through his writing, he aims to empower lawyers to control their careers and make informed decisions about their professional development.

One of Barnes's fundamental philosophies in his writing is the importance of networking. He believes that networking is a critical component of career success and that it is essential for lawyers to establish relationships with others in their field. He encourages lawyers to attend events, join organizations, and connect with others in the legal community to build their professional networks.

Another central theme in Barnes' writing is the importance of personal and professional development. He believes that lawyers should continuously strive to improve themselves and develop their skills to succeed in their careers. He encourages lawyers to pursue ongoing education and training actively, read widely, and seek new opportunities for growth and development.

In addition to his work in the legal industry, Barnes is also a fitness and lifestyle enthusiast. He sees fitness and wellness as integral to his personal and professional development and encourages others to adopt a similar mindset. He starts his day at 4:00 am and dedicates several daily hours to running, weightlifting, and pursuing spiritual disciplines.

Finally, Barnes is a strong advocate for community service and giving back. He volunteers for the University of Chicago, where he is the former area chair of Los Angeles for the University of Chicago Admissions Office. He also serves as the President of the Young Presidents Organization's Century City Los Angeles Chapter, where he works to support and connect young business leaders.

In conclusion, Harrison Barnes is a visionary legal industry leader committed to helping lawyers achieve their full potential. Through his work at BCG Attorney Search, writing, and community involvement, he empowers lawyers to take control of their careers, develop their skills continuously, and lead fulfilling and successful lives. His philosophy of being proactive, persistent, and disciplined, combined with his focus on personal and professional development, makes him a valuable resource for anyone looking to succeed in the legal profession.

About BCG Attorney Search

BCG Attorney Search matches attorneys and law firms with unparalleled expertise and drive, while achieving results. Known globally for its success in locating and placing attorneys in law firms of all sizes, BCG Attorney Search has placed thousands of attorneys in law firms in thousands of different law firms around the country. Unlike other legal placement firms, BCG Attorney Search brings massive resources of over 150 employees to its placement efforts locating positions and opportunities its competitors simply cannot. Every legal recruiter at BCG Attorney Search is a former successful attorney who attended a top law school, worked in top law firms and brought massive drive and commitment to their work. BCG Attorney Search legal recruiters take your legal career seriously and understand attorneys. For more information, please visit www.BCGSearch.com.