By Introduction: What Makes a Great American Attorney?
The United States is home to the world’s most sophisticated and competitive legal market, with over 1.3 million licensed attorneys practicing across thousands of specialties. Yet among this vast pool of legal talent, a small group of best lawyers in the United States rise so far above the rest that their names become synonymous with justice itself. These are the top 10 attorneys in the US — figures whose courtroom brilliance, landmark victories, and enduring legacies have shaped not just American law, but global jurisprudence.
This guide identifies the leading attorneys in the US by examining the criteria that matter most: the magnitude and complexity of cases won, the precedents set, the lives changed, recognition by authoritative ranking bodies such as Chambers USA, Best Lawyers in America, and Forbes America’s Top Lawyers, and the lasting impact on the legal profession. Whether you are searching for famous attorneys in America for inspiration, researching the best legal professionals in America for academic purposes, or simply seeking to understand who the top-rated attorneys in the USA truly are — this is the resource you’ve been looking for.
Unlike other lists that focus on a single practice area or rely on self-reported data, our rankings draw on peer-review records, Supreme Court records, verified case outcomes, institutional honors, and cross-publication consensus. The result is the most comprehensive and credible ranking of top law firms and attorneys in the USA available today.
Our Ranking Methodology
Identifying the best attorneys in the United States requires a rigorous, multi-factor methodology. Our team evaluated candidates across six dimensions:
▶ Case Impact: The constitutional, social, and legal significance of cases won or argued, particularly before the U.S. Supreme Court.
▶ Peer Recognition: Rankings from Chambers USA, Best Lawyers in America (peer-reviewed by over 13.7 million votes for the 2024 edition), Martindale-Hubbell, and Super Lawyers.
▶ Career Longevity: Sustained excellence over decades, not a single high-profile moment.
▶ Institutional Achievement: Judicial appointments, law school leadership, government service, and bar association honors.
▶ Public Impact: The breadth of lives affected by the attorney’s work — from individual clients to landmark national policy changes.
▶ Published Legacy: Scholarly works, treatises, and legal writings that shaped future generations of attorneys and judges.
The Top 10 Attorneys in the United States
| #1 Thurgood Marshall |
Civil Rights & Constitutional Law | NAACP / U.S. Supreme Court
| Years Active 1933–1991 | Recognition Supreme Court Justice; Spingarn Medal | Key Achievement Won Brown v. Board of Education (1954); first Black U.S. Supreme Court Justice |
Widely regarded as the greatest civil rights attorney in American history, Thurgood Marshall dismantled the legal architecture of racial segregation. As lead counsel for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, he argued 32 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and won 29 — a record virtually unmatched by any practicing attorney. His crowning achievement, Brown v. Board of Education, ended the doctrine of ‘separate but equal’ in public schools and reshaped American constitutional law. President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed him as the first African American Supreme Court Justice in 1967, where he continued championing individual rights until his retirement in 1991. For anyone searching for the best legal professionals in America, Marshall’s name stands alone.
| #2 Ruth Bader Ginsburg |
Gender Equality & Constitutional Law | Columbia Law / U.S. Supreme Court
| Years Active 1959–2020 | Recognition Supreme Court Justice; Presidential Medal of Freedom | Key Achievement Argued 6 landmark gender equality cases before SCOTUS; co-founded the ACLU Women’s Rights Project |
Known globally as ‘RBG,’ Ruth Bader Ginsburg stands among the most consequential legal minds the United States has ever produced. After graduating top of her class at Columbia Law School, Ginsburg co-founded the ACLU Women’s Rights Project and argued six landmark gender equality cases before the Supreme Court in the 1970s, winning five. Her strategic brilliance — often arguing on behalf of male plaintiffs to reveal systemic inequality — fundamentally changed how American courts interpret the Equal Protection Clause. Appointed to the Supreme Court by President Clinton in 1993, she became an iconic figure in American jurisprudence and a symbol of justice for millions. Top-rated attorneys across the U.S. cite her as the single greatest influence on modern constitutional advocacy.
| #3 Bryan Stevenson |
Criminal Justice Reform & Death Penalty Defense | Equal Justice Initiative (Founder)
| Years Active 1985–present | Recognition MacArthur ‘Genius’ Fellowship; ABA Thurgood Marshall Award | Key Achievement Exonerated or secured relief for over 140 wrongly condemned inmates on death row |
Bryan Stevenson is the foremost criminal defense attorney of the modern era and one of the most celebrated leading attorneys in the U.S. As founder and Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery, Alabama, Stevenson has dedicated his career to defending the poor, the wrongly condemned, and those society has abandoned. He has argued before the U.S. Supreme Court and won landmark rulings banning mandatory life-without-parole sentences for children. His bestselling memoir, Just Mercy, became a major motion picture and introduced millions to the injustices of the American carceral system. A Harvard Law School graduate and NYU Law professor, Stevenson is routinely named among the top legal experts in the USA by every major legal publication.
| #4 Gloria Allred |
Women’s Rights & High-Profile Civil Litigation | Allred, Maroko & Goldberg
| Years Active 1975–present | Recognition California State Bar President’s Award; Super Lawyers | Key Achievement Tried more high-profile cases than any female attorney in U.S. history |
Gloria Allred is one of the most famous attorneys in America and the most recognizable female litigator in U.S. history. A graduate of Loyola Law School, she has successfully prosecuted cases involving sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and high-profile civil rights violations for over four decades. Her firm, Allred, Maroko & Goldberg, has represented clients against some of the most powerful individuals and corporations in the country. Allred has been a consistent presence in nationally televised trials and has won hundreds of millions of dollars for her clients. Named repeatedly as one of the top-rated attorneys in the USA by the Los Angeles Times, The National Law Journal, and Super Lawyers, she has received the President’s Award from the California State Bar Association.
| #5 David Boies |
Complex Commercial Litigation & Antitrust Law | Boies Schiller Flexner LLP
| Years Active 1966–present | Recognition American Lawyer Top 100; Chambers USA Band 1 | Key Achievement Lead counsel in U.S. v. Microsoft antitrust case; argued Bush v. Gore before SCOTUS |
David Boies is one of the most formidable trial attorneys in American legal history and a towering presence among the top law firms and attorneys in the USA. A senior partner at Boies Schiller Flexner LLP, he has led some of the most complex, high-stakes litigation of the past five decades. He famously argued for the U.S. government in the landmark antitrust case against Microsoft, and later argued before the Supreme Court in Bush v. Gore during the contested 2000 presidential election. Boies successfully challenged California’s Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage in federal court — a case that laid the groundwork for nationwide marriage equality. The American Lawyer has repeatedly named him one of the top 100 most influential lawyers in the United States.
| #6 Johnnie Cochran |
Criminal Defense & Civil Rights | The Cochran Firm
| Years Active 1963–2005 | Recognition NAACP Lawyer of the Year; Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent | Key Achievement Secured O.J. Simpson acquittal; won hundreds of millions for civil rights plaintiffs |
Johnnie Cochran remains one of the most famous attorneys in America, best known for leading the ‘Dream Team’ defense that secured O.J. Simpson’s acquittal in the 1995 criminal trial dubbed the ‘Trial of the Century.’ But Cochran’s legacy runs far deeper than any single case. A tireless advocate against police brutality and racial injustice, he won hundreds of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for victims of civil rights abuses. Before representing Simpson, Cochran’s client list included Michael Jackson, Jim Brown, and Tupac Shakur. The Cochran Firm he founded grew into one of the largest plaintiff’s law firms in the United States, with offices across the country, continuing his mission of justice for the underrepresented decades after his passing.
| #7 Amal Clooney |
International Human Rights & Criminal Law | Doughty Street Chambers / Clooney Foundation
| Years Active 2000–present | Recognition Time 100 Most Influential; Honorary Bencher, Lincoln’s Inn | Key Achievement Represented governments and individuals before the ICC, ICJ, ECHR, and UN |
Amal Clooney is one of the most distinguished international human rights attorneys of her generation and a prominent leading attorney in the U.S. and abroad. A graduate of Oxford University and New York University School of Law, she has represented heads of state, genocide survivors, and journalists imprisoned for their reporting before the world’s most significant international courts. Her cases before the International Criminal Court, the European Court of Human Rights, and United Nations bodies have helped shape the emerging field of international accountability. She serves as an Adjunct Professor at Columbia Law School and sits on numerous legal advisory boards. Named by Time magazine among the 100 most influential people in the world, Clooney exemplifies what the best legal professionals in America look like on the global stage.
| #8 Laurence Tribe |
Constitutional Law | Harvard Law School (Professor Emeritus)
| Years Active 1967–present | Recognition Guggenheim Fellow; National Humanities Medal | Key Achievement Argued 35+ cases before SCOTUS; authored the definitive treatise on American constitutional law |
Harvard Law School Professor Laurence Tribe is widely considered the foremost constitutional scholar and one of the top legal experts in the USA currently active. He has argued more than 35 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and has authored what is universally recognized as the most comprehensive treatise on American constitutional law: American Constitutional Law. His former students include President Barack Obama, Chief Justice John Roberts, and dozens of other senior federal judges. In 2010, he served as Senior Counselor for Access to Justice in the U.S. Department of Justice. Both liberal and conservative legal scholars acknowledge Tribe as an unparalleled intellect, making him the rare constitutional attorney who transcends ideology and earns respect across the entire spectrum of American law.
| #9 Ted Olson |
Appellate Litigation & Constitutional Law | Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
| Years Active 1965–present | Recognition Chambers USA Band 1; U.S. Solicitor General | Key Achievement Argued Bush v. Gore for George W. Bush; led successful federal challenge to California’s Prop 8 ban |
Ted Olson is one of the most accomplished appellate attorneys in U.S. history and a perennial presence on lists of the best attorneys in the United States. A former U.S. Solicitor General under President George W. Bush, Olson has argued more than 60 cases before the Supreme Court. His career has been defined by landmark moments: arguing and winning Bush v. Gore in 2000, and then — in a testament to his personal convictions over partisan allegiance — teaming with former opponent David Boies to successfully challenge California’s Proposition 8 and secure a federal constitutional right to same-sex marriage. Chambers USA consistently ranks him in its elite Band 1 category for appellate litigation, and The American Lawyer has named him among the nation’s 100 most influential lawyers.
| #10 Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner / Kenneth Feinberg |
Mass Tort Mediation & Victims’ Compensation | Feinberg Law Offices
| Years Active 1970–present | Recognition Special Master, DOJ; Presidential Medal of Freedom (nominated) | Key Achievement Administered 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund ($7B+); oversaw BP Deepwater Horizon claims ($20B) |
Kenneth Feinberg stands in a class by himself among the best legal professionals in America when it comes to high-stakes compensation and mediation. Appointed as Special Master by the U.S. Department of Justice, he has administered some of the largest victims’ compensation funds in history — including the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, the BP Deepwater Horizon Gulf Coast Claims Facility, the Aurora and Newtown shooting settlements, and the Boston Marathon bombing fund. His ability to navigate immense legal, political, and human complexity with fairness and efficiency has earned him bipartisan praise at the highest levels of American government. A Harvard Law graduate, Feinberg represents the apex of what a top-rated attorney in the USA can achieve in service to the public interest.
Conclusion: The Legacy of America’s Greatest Attorneys
The top 10 attorneys in the US profiled in this guide represent far more than legal excellence — they represent the power of law to change the world. From Thurgood Marshall’s dismantling of legal segregation to Bryan Stevenson’s fight against wrongful conviction, from Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s transformation of gender equality law to David Boies’s marathon battles in the most complex commercial arenas, these leading attorneys in the US have proven that the best legal professionals in America are also among the most important figures in public life.
Whether you are a law student seeking role models, a client seeking representation, or a researcher studying the history of American jurisprudence, this ranking provides the authoritative, comprehensive answer to the question: who are truly the best attorneys in the United States?
The answer lies in the names above — attorneys whose brilliance, courage, and commitment to justice have left an indelible mark on the American legal system, and whose influence will be felt for generations to come. These are the top-rated attorneys in the USA who deserve to be remembered not just as great lawyers, but as architects of a more just America.
Frequently Asked Questions About Top Attorneys in the US
Who is the #1 attorney in the United States?
By almost any measure — cases argued before the Supreme Court, landmark victories, and lasting constitutional impact — Thurgood Marshall is the consensus pick for the greatest and most influential attorney in U.S. history. Among currently practicing attorneys, Bryan Stevenson of the Equal Justice Initiative is widely recognized as the most impactful top legal expert in the USA today.
How are the best lawyers in the United States selected?
The most credible ranking bodies — Chambers USA, Best Lawyers in America, and Martindale-Hubbell — use peer review by fellow attorneys, verified case outcomes, and client testimonials. The Best Lawyers in America 2026 edition, for example, analyzed over 3.4 million peer evaluations. Only around 5% of U.S. attorneys earn a Best Lawyers distinction, making it among the most exclusive honors in the profession.
What makes someone a top-rated attorney in the USA?
Top-rated attorneys in the USA combine exceptional legal knowledge with superior courtroom strategy, deep ethical commitment, and a proven track record of results. They are recognized by their peers, respected by opposing counsel, and trusted by clients at the highest levels of complexity.
Are there famous attorneys in America practicing today?
Yes. Gloria Allred, David Boies, Ted Olson, Amal Clooney, Bryan Stevenson, and Laurence Tribe are among the most famous attorneys in America still actively practicing or influencing law as of 2025.
What is the most prestigious legal ranking in the USA?
Chambers USA is widely regarded as the gold standard for ranking top law firms and attorneys in the USA, alongside Best Lawyers in America. Both are independent, research-based publications that rigorously evaluate candidates across dozens of practice areas nationwide.
How do I find a top-rated attorney in my area?
Resources such as Chambers USA, Best Lawyers in America, Martindale-Hubbell, Super Lawyers, and state bar association referral services are the most reliable ways to identify top-rated attorneys in the USA. Always look for peer-review credentials and verified case results in your specific legal area of need.