Legal 500 US Business Development team

Legal 500 US State Rankings

Expanding our coverage of the US legal market

Legal 500 is pleased to announce the launch of a new state-focused rankings programme in the United States.

Following the successful introduction of the US Elite rankings, which expanded our coverage to include more than 1,200 additional firms, we are continuing to invest in our US research with the creation of dedicated state rankings.

The new rankings will provide in-depth coverage of leading law firms operating across six major US legal markets, offering clients and firms a more detailed view of legal expertise at a state level.

Initial coverage

The first edition of the Legal 500 US State Rankings will cover:

• California
• Florida
• Illinois
• Massachusetts
• New York
• Texas

Additional markets may be considered in future editions as the research programme develops.

Why are we launching state rankings?

The US legal market continues to evolve, with many firms building strong regional practices and state-based reputations alongside their national and international offerings.

Our new state rankings are designed to:

• Recognise leading firms operating within key state markets
• Expand opportunities for participation in Legal 500 research
• Provide clients with greater insight into local legal expertise
• Deliver more detailed analysis of significant regional legal markets
• Enhance our coverage of the US legal profession

The rankings will sit alongside our existing US Elite and national US rankings, providing a broader and more comprehensive view of the market.

Research methodology

Research will be conducted by Legal 500’s editorial team in Leeds, following the same independent and rigorous methodology used across all Legal 500 guides.

Our researchers will assess submissions, referee feedback, market commentary and evidence of significant work undertaken within each jurisdiction.

As with all Legal 500 research, rankings will be determined solely on merit.

Research timeline

September 2026

Research opens and submissions are invited.

Autumn 2026 – Winter 2027

Editorial research, interviews and referee outreach.

April 2027

Publication of the inaugural Legal 500 US State Rankings.

US Elite rankings

The introduction of the US State Rankings will not affect the existing US Elite guide, which will continue to operate alongside the new state-focused research programme.

Together, these rankings will provide broader recognition for firms across the US market while offering clients a more comprehensive resource when selecting legal advisers.

Further information

Detailed submission information, practice area coverage and research deadlines will be published ahead of the September 2026 research launch.

For any questions regarding the new rankings, please contact the Legal 500 editorial team.

Country Comparative Guides

Explore over 40 US chapters in our Comparative Guides, covering key practice areas – essential for lawyers working on cross-jurisdictional matters, including Tax, Patent Litigation, Cartels and M&A – providing clear, practical insight into key jurisdictional differences, market trends, and how rules are applied in practice.

Visit Country Comparative Guides for more details.

If you are interested in contributing, please contact Antony Dine.

Contact us

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