That faraway prize. The world of success.
Dragons all, they are larger than life and illustrate the power and promise that can be achieved when a match is struck to ignite a piece of paper with will, dedication and passion. They never settle for less.
To that remarkable group we this year add 41 more lawyers who have made the Lawdragon 500 ten times, working-class heroes who represent the injured everyman; a Supreme Court justice who embodies the life of the law – and particularly a woman’s journey; and dealmakers and trial lawyers whose achievement lies not as much in their million-dollar bounties as in their ability to change the worlds of those fortunate few clients who summon their wisdom and skill.
They dare to try. They do it or die.
Straight up.
Extra dry.
Mary Alexander
Mary Alexander & Associates - San Francisco (Photo by Annie Tritt)
This passionate advocate for the injured and oppressed is a role model for female trial lawyers and the opponent you never want to go against.
Riley Allen
Riley Allen Law – Orlando (Photo provided by the firm)
We’d say he breaks bad but he’s so good. Allen brings the same fearlessness to representing his clients that he does to catching the big waves and other causes about which he’s passionate.
Corinne Ball
Jones Day - New York (Photo by Greg Endries)
Has any lawyer had the impact Ball has with her mastery of bankruptcy in this era of distress? We doubt it, and respect her determination and drive.
Robert Baron
Cravath - New York (Photo provided by the firm)
A leader of Cravath’s peerless litigation corps, Baron is tops in securities litigation for JPMorgan, IBM and HCA in Chancery and an endless list of other prime-time suits.
Hilarie Bass
Greenberg Traurig – Miami (Photo by Josh Ritchie)
Bass is tops as a leader of her firm, her community and other professional organizations, including the ABA – at the same time her pro bono efforts threw out Florida’s ban on gay adoption.
Sam Baxter
McKool Smith – Dallas (Photo by Justin Clemons)
They call him Mr. Marshall – Texas, that is. It’s the seat of his power, but far from its reach – given the former state judge’s unbeatable record in IP and other tough trials.
Stephen Breyer
U.S. Supreme Court - Washington, D.C. (Photo by Steve Petteway)
The Bay Area native has served the country well for 22 years as a liberal-leaning justice who encourages thoughtful and active democracy while writing and speaking out on behalf of justice.
Bill Carmody
Susman Godfrey - New York (Photo by Erica Freudenstein)
This renegade Texas trial lawyer returned home to New York with his Susman Godfrey posse, and when disaster looms, he bets on the results of his clients' big ticket litigation.
Frank Darras
Darras Law - Ontario, Calif. (Photo by Amy Cantrell)
Everyman’s hero for his dogged, passionate and inspired advocacy for injured, elderly & disabled workers has recovered more than $800 million in wrongly denied insurance benefits.
Adam Emmerich
Wachtell Lipton - New York (Photo by Greg Endries)
The savvy and ridiculous smart Emmerich is one of, if not the best, global dealmaker on the planet with a footprint in more countries than you can name.
Pat Fitzgerald
Skadden – Chicago (Photo by David Cross Photography)
As a legendary prosecutor, he took down governors and international terrorists, and now works on the highest of high-profile and confidential matters as one of Skadden’s most coveted partners.
James Garner
Sher Garner - New Orleans (Photo by Michelle Nolan)
This New Orleans born and raised powerbroker leads the new crop of "lawyers to know" in Louisiana, representing the state in its biggest battle – against coastal erosion.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
U.S. Supreme Court - Washington, D.C. (Photo by Steve Petteway)
The one. The only. Look away in shame as you must because you are not her. But say thanks anyway. Rarely does someone of such intense intellect, composure and dedication pass our way.
Robert Giuffra
Sullivan & Cromwell - New York (Photo by Greg Endries)
One of the most intelligent and erudite litigators to emerge over the past 20 years, he’s called upon by Volkswagen, Enron, the New York Giants, and – given his partnership at America’s leading financial law firm – every bank you can name.
Sandra Goldstein
Cravath - New York (Photo by Hugh Williams)
Among the most feared corporate litigators, the first female chair of litigation at Cravath has litigated more than $500 billion in disputed deals in the past five years alone.
Edward Herlihy
Wachtell Lipton - New York (Photo by Laura Barisonzi)
You don’t become the longtime co-executive chairman of the world’s most elite law firm for nothing, as this banking M&A major domo proves over and over again.
Jay Kasner
Skadden - New York (Photo by Hugh Williams)
One of the world’s leading authorities on securities litigation, Kasner has defended and made ‘good’ law for illustrious companies claimed to have wronged their investors.
Neal Katyal
Hogan Lovells - Washington, D.C. (Photo by Hugh Williams)
The esteemed former acting solicitor general of the U.S. has deftly argued more high court cases than any racial minority attorney – except Thurgood Marshall. Oyez.
Steve Lane
Herman Herman - New Orleans (Photo by Hugh Williams)
The legendary New Orleans divorce lawyer is also managing partner of his famous firm after years of leading class actions and representing the ACLU to ensure marriage equality and equal rights.
Neal Manne
Susman Godfrey - Houston (Photo by Felix Sanchez)
He’s the olive in the cocktail, the Frank Sinatra of the Rat Pack. Which is to say, he’s supremely that guy – the politico, legal genius and community activist without whom there’s only a bunch of separate voices.
Mike McKool
McKool Smith - Dallas (Photo by Justin Clemons)
The fabulous and aptly named litigation star founded a law firm juggernaut while trying more than 100 jury trials for clients from Alcoa to Medtronic.
Ted Mirvis
Wachtell Lipton - New York (Photo by Hugh Williams)
A genius litigator and corporate governance expert who’s relied on by everyone from Bank of America to Ken Langone when every single one of the chips are on the line.
Gary Naftalis
Kramer Levin - New York (Photo by Erica Freudenstein)
The deeply respected white-collar defender has the back of everyone from Michael Eisner to Rajat Gupta to the oldest U.S. synagogue.
Steven Newborn
Weil - Washington, D.C. (Photo provided by the firm)
This legendary antitrust star has an unparalleled record of gaining antitrust approval for the largest companies in the world from Allergan to ExxonMobil to Johnson & Johnson.
Eileen Nugent
Skadden - New York (Photo by Hugh Williams)
One of the world’s top dealmakers and global co-head of Skadden’s Transactions Practices, Nugent handles billions in M&A and LBO deals on a daily basis.
Carter Phillips
Sidley Austin - Washington, D.C. (Photo provided by the firm)
This highly regarded appellate advocate also runs one of the world’s biggest law firms.
Joe Power
Power Rogers – Chicago (Photo by Michelle Nolan)
A true working class hero for the most badly injured Chicagoans, Power appeals to juries and judges alike with brains, persuasion, tenacity and heartfelt dedication.
Gordon Rather
Wright Lindsey - Little Rock, Ark. (Photo provided by the firm)
Mr. Arkansas is lauded as one of the nation’s great trial lawyers with a particular way with juries on behalf of his corporate clients, and a gracious manner noted by all.
Alison Ressler
Sullivan & Cromwell - Los Angeles (Photo by Amy Cantrell)
California Resources, Valeant and Ares all call upon this exceptionally gifted M&A and corporate governance lawyer who’s anchored Sullivan & Cromwell’s West Coast presence since 1984.
Paul Schnell
Skadden - New York (Photo by Laura Barisonzi)
This jaw-dropping global dealmaker and healthcare deal expert handled $450B in global deals in 2015 alone, including 23 exceeding $1B.
Robert Schumer
Paul Weiss - New York (Photo provided by the firm)
The esteemed and powerful M&A impresario is regular counsel to Time Warner and a host of other worldwide companies who value his insight and experience.
Chris Seeger
Seeger Weiss - New York (Photo by Gregg Delman)
One of the nation’s greatest plaintiff lawyers brings the heart and soul of the boxer and carpenter he started out as to improve safety for NFL players, pharmaceutical patients and other consumers.
Joe Sellers
Cohen Milstein - Washington, D.C. (Photo by Hugh Williams)
This civil rights and employment law champion has handled more than 75 class actions against Boeing, Wells Fargo and Tyson Foods while giving abundantly to public interest.
Leopold Sher
Sher Garner - New Orleans (Photo by Sara Essex Bradley)
A national leader in real estate and corporate law, Sher is also a dedicated advocate for his beloved New Orleans and Tulane Law School.
Stuart Singer
Boies Schiller - Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Photo provided by the firm)
A dazzling advocate in trial and appellate courts, he’s relied on by Carnival Cruises, Nascar, NextEra and the children of Florida to win big when it matters.
Robert Spatt
Simpson Thacher - New York (Photo by Hugh Williams)
A noted dealmaker who is regularly called on for complex combinations, including Lorillard’s sale to Reynolds and Smithfield Foods in the largest Chinese takeover of an American company.
Bryan Stevenson
Equal Justice Initiative - Montgomery, Ala. (Photo by Alan Matthews)
We need more Bryan Stevensons. Pure and simple. He champions racial justice, the rights of incarcerated children and equality for poor and minorities.
Donald Verrilli
Munger Tolles - Washington, D.C. (Photo by Hugh Williams)
Obama’s longtime Solicitor General argued 37 High Court cases, including defending Obamacare and Marriage Equality, and now anchors Munger Tolles’ new D.C. outpost.
Donald Wolfe
Potter Anderson – Wilmington (Photo by Andrew Kahl)
He’s top dog when it comes to Delaware litigation, with more than 200 reported decisions including Revlon, AirGas and Hewlett Packard.
Steve Yerrid
Yerrid Law - Tampa, Fla. (Photo provided by the firm)
To call him a legend scratches the surface for this amazing plaintiff lawyer, who’s brought justice from Big Tobacco to Deepwater Horizon, while achieving more than 250 verdicts and settlements in excess of $1million.
Michael Young
Willkie Farr - New York (Photo by Erica Freudenstein)
One thing you can count on in the complex world of financial and accounting litigation is Young, whose trial and counseling work is tops.
