Overview
International law firm McDermott Will & Emery was recognized as a leading firm in 58 practice areas in the 2021 edition of Chambers USA. The Firm garnered 15 Band 1 rankings and a total of 43 state practice categories, as well as 142 lawyer recommendations.
For the 12th consecutive year, McDermott’s health law group dominated rankings earning a Band 1 national ranking in the Healthcare category and achieving an ‘elite’ firm designation. The team also maintained its Band 1 rankings in California, District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois and Massachusetts with clients praising the teams’ efforts, “McDermott is at the top of the list of firms I would look to for legal advice.”
Our Tax practice remains a national leader with a Band 1 position in Illinois and a new Band 1 ranking for the State and Local Tax practice in California and New York. Clients described our tax team as “logical, thoughtful and technically strong” and said “the team instills confidence in their clients and takes a practical approach to matters.” Another source praises the team for its “technical expertise, ability to explain complicated issues in layman’s terms, and responsiveness.”
The Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation team also earned recognition in key jurisdictions of Illinois, Massachusetts and Texas, with clients commending the Firm’s “depth in various areas, resources, experience and responsiveness,” and further describing the team as “great to work with.” “Not only do they know the material well but they also bring a practical application and are timely in their responses. They understand the law, precedent and what will work best given organizational dynamics,” another client added.
McDermott remains the top-ranked Firm nationally for Food & Beverage (Alcohol), maintaining its Band 1 ranking for the 16th consecutive year. Chambers cited client feedback noting, “They are the food and beverage firm you go to if you have an incredibly complex question.”
With more than 20 lawyers newly recognized this year, we now tout 140 recommended lawyers in the US. These include 30 with Band 1 rankings and 21 with Band 2 rankings. Notably, 16 lawyers advanced in the rankings this year.
Practice highlights include:
- Nationwide: Food & Beverages: Alcohol – Band 1
- Nationwide: Healthcare: The Elite – Band 1
- Nationwide: Outsourcing – Band 2
- Nationwide: Energy: Electricity (Regulatory & Litigation) – Band 2
- California: Healthcare – Band 1
- California: Tax: State & Local – Band 1’
- California: Litigation: General Commercial: Highly Regarded – Band 1
- District of Columbia: Healthcare – Band 1
- District of Columbia: Insurance: Insurer – Band 2
- Florida: Healthcare – Band 1
- Florida: Corporate/M&A & Private Equity – Band 2
- Illinois: Healthcare – Band 1
- Illinois: Employee Benefits & Compensation – Band 1
- Illinois: Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations – Band 1
- Illinois: Tax – Band 1
- Illinois: Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets – Band 1
- Illinois: Antitrust – Band 2
- Illinois: Intellectual Property – Band 2
- Illinois: Corporate/M&A & Private Equity – Band 2
- Massachusetts: Healthcare – Band 1
- Massachusetts: Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations – Band 1
- Massachusetts: Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation – Band 2
- Texas: Technology: Outsourcing – Band 1
- Texas (Dallas, Fort Worth & Surrounds): Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation – Band 2
Full details about our 2021 rankings along with client commentary are available from Chambers USA.
About Chambers USA
Chambers USA rankings and editorial commentary are based on independent research, and interviews with clients and other purchasers of legal services. Chambers & Partners is one of the premier directories for legal services and in a survey of 20,000 in-house counsel over half reported that their directory of choice when reviewing law firms and individual lawyers is Chambers & Partners.
About McDermott
McDermott Will & Emery partners with leaders around the world to fuel missions, knock down barriers and shape markets. Our team works seamlessly across practices and industries to deliver highly effective—and often unexpected—solutions that propel success. More than 1,200 lawyers strong, we bring our personal passion and legal prowess to bear in every matter for our clients and the people they serve.