Best Lawyers has released their 2026 list of Best Lawyers in America and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America. These latest editions – now in their 32nd and sixth years, respectively – recognize the top U.S. attorneys and highlight legal trends impacting profession. The lists honor those attorneys whose commitment to the profession has set the gold standard.
Founding Partner Douglas Wigdor has been named a 2026 Best Lawyer in America, alongside fellow partners Jeanne Christensen, Valdi Licul, Lawrence Pearson, Michael Willemin, and David Gottlieb. In addition to the Best Lawyers in America list, several Wigdor attorneys received the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America distinction, which is tailored to attorneys with fewer than 10 years in practice. We are proud to announce that Sr. Associate John Crain has been named to this list, along with Wigdor Associates Bill Baker, Kassandra Vazquez, and Brooke Payton.
Inclusion on the Best Lawyers lists is based on a peer nomination process, followed by confidential evaluations from currently recognized attorneys. Some stats around this year’s lists:
- Nearly 30,000 attorneys participated in the voting process
- Voting resulted in more than 3.4 million confidential evaluations
- Approximately 130,000 vetted nominees were assessed
- Best Lawyers in America represents the top 5% of practicing US attorneys; Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America represents the top 2% of early-career attorneys
- 81,420 attorneys have been recognized this year as Best Lawyers in America; 27,241 as Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America
- Best Lawyers honorees represent 203 regional jurisdictions and 151 practice areas; Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America highlights 199 regional jurisdictions and 79 practice areas
- Litigation – Labor and Employment rounds out the top five most recognized practice area with 5,066 lawyers, up 37% since Edition 28, underscoring the scale and impact of Wigdor’s expertise in an evolving legal environment
Read more about the 2026 lists here, and congratulations to all Wigdor honorees.