Ranking tables
Startups & Emerging Companies | USA
USA - Nationwide
Rankings overview for Departments
Band 1
Band 2
Band 3
Band 4
Band 5
- Brown Rudnick LLP 1 Years Ranked
- Foley & Lardner LLP 2 Years Ranked
- Foley Hoag LLP 2 Years Ranked
- Fox Rothschild 5 Years Ranked
- Greenberg Traurig, LLP 2 Years Ranked
- Holland & Knight LLP 1 Years Ranked
- Katten 10 Years Ranked
- Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP 4 Years Ranked
- Nixon Peabody LLP 4 Years Ranked
- Reitler Kailas & Rosenblatt LLP 2 Years Ranked
- Ropes & Gray LLP 2 Years Ranked
- Sidley Austin LLP 1 Years Ranked
- Troutman Pepper Locke LLP 2 Years Ranked
- Wiggin and Dana LLP 1 Years Ranked
- Silicon Legal Strategy, A Professional Corporation
Senior Statespeople
Band 1
Band 2
Band 3
- Benjamin A Potter Latham & Watkins LLP7 Years Ranked
- Craig E Sherman Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati21 Years Ranked
- Cynthia Clarfield Hess Fenwick10 Years Ranked
- David R Young Cooley LLP10 Years Ranked
- Eric Jensen Cooley LLP16 Years Ranked
- Ivan A. Gaviria Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian7 Years Ranked
- Jason Kropp Sidley Austin LLP11 Years Ranked
- Mark C Stevens Fenwick22 Years Ranked
- Michael D Bain WilmerHale15 Years Ranked
- Michael Glaser Morrison Foerster14 Years Ranked
- Michael T Esquivel Fenwick8 Years Ranked
- Mitchell S Bloom Goodwin14 Years Ranked
- Patrick Mitchell Goodwin19 Years Ranked
- Peter Werner Cooley LLP3 Years Ranked
- Sacha Ross Cooley LLP7 Years Ranked
- Stephen Venuto Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP10 Years Ranked
Band 4
- Asher M Rubin Sidley Austin LLP10 Years Ranked
- Bradford Flint Ropes & Gray LLP7 Years Ranked
- David D Gammell Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian6 Years Ranked
- Elizabeth Sigety Fox Rothschild7 Years Ranked
- Emily Ladd-Kravitz Greenberg Traurig, LLP4 Years Ranked
- Jeffrey Patt Katten11 Years Ranked
- Joshua Fox Mintz3 Years Ranked
- Ken McVay Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian10 Years Ranked
- Leandro Molina Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP3 Years Ranked
- Matthew Bartus Cooley LLP4 Years Ranked
- Matthew Brown Katten10 Years Ranked
- Michael A Brown Fenwick2 Years Ranked
- Michael R Flynn Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP5 Years Ranked
- Murray Indick Morrison Foerster10 Years Ranked
- Stephane Levy Cooley LLP3 Years Ranked
Band 5
- Adam Dinow Cooley LLP2 Years Ranked
- Allan Cohen Nixon Peabody LLP4 Years Ranked
- Anthony O Pergola Lowenstein Sandler LLP20 Years Ranked
- Charles Torres DLA Piper LLP (US)3 Years Ranked
- Christopher S Miller Troutman Pepper Locke LLP14 Years Ranked
- Christopher T. Errico Dentons7 Years Ranked
- Curtis L Mo DLA Piper LLP (US)19 Years Ranked
- Daniel R. Zimmermann WilmerHale7 Years Ranked
- Derek Colla Cooley LLP5 Years Ranked
- Edward Sarnowski Holland & Knight LLP1 Years Ranked
- Edwin Thom Rumberger Jr WilmerHale5 Years Ranked
- Evan Kipperman Wiggin and Dana LLP2 Years Ranked
- Fiona Brophy Perkins Coie LLP4 Years Ranked
- Gary Schall WilmerHale2 Years Ranked
- George Akers Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP7 Years Ranked
- Jaret Davis Greenberg Traurig, LLP6 Years Ranked
- Jeffrey K Lehrer DLA Piper LLP (US)19 Years Ranked
- Joseph Berklund Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian1 Years Ranked
- Joseph Daniels Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP1 Years Ranked
- Josh Pollick Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP3 Years Ranked
- Laurence P Naughton Mintz14 Years Ranked
- Lee Schindler Perkins Coie LLP2 Years Ranked
- Louis Lehot Foley & Lardner LLP11 Years Ranked
- Matthew Eckert Polsinelli PC1 Years Ranked
- Michael Cohen Brown Rudnick LLP1 Years Ranked
- Michelle Knoop Goodwin2 Years Ranked
- Nick Foreste Reed Smith LLP3 Years Ranked
- Paul Hughes Wiggin and Dana LLP13 Years Ranked
- Peter Rosenblum Foley Hoag LLP23 Years Ranked
- Richard Bull DLA Piper LLP (US)3 Years Ranked
- Rick Jordan Polsinelli PC1 Years Ranked
- Ronald A. Fleming Pillsbury2 Years Ranked
- Salil Gandhi Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati1 Years Ranked
- Samuel Edwards Crowell & Moring LLP1 Years Ranked
- Scott C Craig Latham & Watkins LLP6 Years Ranked
- Siegmar Pohl Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP1 Years Ranked
- Thomas P Dwyer Troutman Pepper Locke LLP2 Years Ranked
- Victor Boyajian Dentons US LLP23 Years Ranked
- W Alex Voxman Latham & Watkins LLP17 Years Ranked
Up and Coming
- Alexander Civetta Mintz4 Years Ranked
- Idan Netser Sidley Austin LLP2 Years Ranked
- Jared Sorin Brown Rudnick LLP2 Years Ranked
- Jon Novotny Goodwin2 Years Ranked
- Joseph Morrison Barnes & Thornburg LLP1 Years Ranked
- Randall Clark Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian2 Years Ranked
- Saarah Woodby Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP1 Years Ranked
- Samir Bakhru Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP1 Years Ranked
Star Associates
All Departments profiles
Band 1
1 Cooley LLPStartups & Emerging Companies2025 | Band 1 | 10 Years RankedCooley LLP leverages substantial experience in cutting-edge emerging companies work for both companies and investors, particularly in the technology and life sciences domains, across the USA. The team readily assists startup businesses throughout their life cycle, even from before their official formation, with the help of an impressive network of investors. Cooley LLP counts among its clients prominent young companies in the healthcare, media, software and retail sectors.1 FenwickStartups & Emerging Companies2025 | Band 1 | 10 Years RankedFenwick demonstrates the sought-after ability to counsel startup businesses, particularly in the tech sector, on the full extent of company growth processes, as well as advising venture capital investors. The firm operates at the forefront of cutting-edge technology markets, including fintech, virtual reality and the sharing economy. It is noted for its connections to Silicon Valley technology companies and venture capital firms, due to its long-established presence in the San Francisco Bay Area.1 GoodwinStartups & Emerging Companies2025 | Band 1 | 10 Years RankedGoodwin is a leading player in the startups and emerging companies field, aiding biotech, e-commerce and digital media entities, among others, throughout their development from creation to sale or IPO. The team is also experienced in matters such as intellectual property and M&A. It boasts a significant investor-side practice, acting for a number of leading venture capital funds. The firm benefits from a broad geographical spread, from San Francisco and Silicon Valley to Boston and New York.1 Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & RosatiStartups & Emerging Companies2025 | Band 1 | 10 Years RankedWilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati demonstrates an acclaimed record for advising Silicon Valley technology startups on their IPOs and venture capital financings, as well as general corporate and IP matters. The team is experienced in all corporate transactions including M&A and public and private securities offerings. It is highly respected for the sheer number of startups it has successfully cultivated over the past 50 years.
Band 2
2 DLA Piper LLP (US)Startups & Emerging Companies2025 | Band 2 | 10 Years RankedDLA Piper LLP works with both venture capital investors and growing businesses at all stages of startup development, bringing to bear international strength to benefit both kinds of client. The firm is well distributed throughout the USA and capable of handling everything from M&A to governance and IP. It has particular expertise in the software and life sciences sectors.2 Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & HachigianStartups & Emerging Companies2025 | Band 2 | 10 Years RankedGunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian maintains a dedicated emerging companies practice, with the ability to advise investors and early-stage tech companies on a diverse spectrum of matters, including international investments. The team also provides guidance on complementary areas of law, such as employee benefits and executive compensation, IP and tax. It regularly advises clients who operate in the media, software and pharmaceutical sectors.2 Latham & Watkins LLPStartups & Emerging Companies2025 | Band 2 | 10 Years RankedLatham & Watkins LLP is particularly well recognized for its representation of nascent life sciences businesses throughout their financings, IPOs and sales, as well as in general corporate issues throughout their life-cycles. Drawing upon extensive global resources, the firm is also highly adept in representing both investment banks and venture capital firms. It is respected for its work with a number of prominent emerging data and fintech companies.
2 Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLPStartups & Emerging Companies2025 | Band 2 | 10 Years RankedOrrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP advises companies and investors at the forefront of the technology industry on financings, investments and IPOs, in areas like social networking, life sciences and fintech, including blockchain. The department cultivates a strong Silicon Valley presence alongside its nationwide network to serve burgeoning tech markets from New York to Los Angeles.2 WilmerHaleStartups & Emerging Companies2025 | Band 2 | 10 Years RankedWilmerHale is well regarded for advising venture capital investors and startup companies, with a key affinity for both IP and general corporate advice. It is particularly strong in the Boston market and capable of guiding an emerging business from inception all the way to sale or IPO, typically drawing clients from the life sciences and breakthrough technology fields.
Band 3
3 Lowenstein Sandler LLPStartups & Emerging Companies2025 | Band 3 | 10 Years RankedLowenstein Sandler LLP typically acts on behalf of venture capital investment firms, startups and growing businesses in the technology sector, with a particularly strong East Coast presence. The team cultivates a significant IP practice in tandem, counseling businesses of all sizes, including some of the biggest names in the technology industry. It is valued by clients for its innovative approach, including the running of startup accelerator VentureCrushFG.3 Morrison FoersterStartups & Emerging Companies2025 | Band 3 | 10 Years RankedMorrison Foerster handles the full spectrum of transactional work throughout the development of startups, across such diverse technology subsectors as renewable energy and life sciences. The team is notable for its strong investor-side practice, both within the USA and internationally, with a unique focus in the area of impact investing.3 Perkins Coie LLPStartups & Emerging Companies2025 | Band 3 | 10 Years RankedPerkins Coie LLP counsels across a full range of corporate and IP issues in the consumer technology domain, with an emphasis on financial services regulatory advice in relation to fintech startups. Its typical work includes equity financing deals, exit transactions and board management advice, as well as data security and privacy concerns. The department represents clients from the software, computer sciences and telecommunications sectors, with expertise in autonomous vehicles.3 PillsburyStartups & Emerging Companies2025 | Band 3 | 9 Years RankedPillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP boasts an established team that is well regarded for its startups and emerging companies practice, representing technology clients across the United States. It is noted for its expertise across all aspects of formation and financing, as well as for its strength in a range of corporate matters. The team possesses significant expertise in the semiconductor and software sectors.
Band 4
4 DentonsStartups & Emerging Companies2025 | Band 4 | 6 Years RankedDentons is a highly respected team renowned for considerable experience in the startups market. It is particularly adept in investments in the technology space and called upon by both early-stage companies and venture capital firms. The department has considerable experience of handling matters that are cross-border in nature, garnering strength from its global presence.4 King & Spalding LLPStartups & Emerging Companies2025 | Band 4 | 2 Years RankedKing & Spalding has a highly regarded startups and venture capital team. Working with emerging companies in the technology, life sciences and food sectors, the team advises on general corporate matters, and early-stage financings.4 MintzStartups & Emerging Companies2025 | Band 4 | 4 Years RankedMintz is a well-known and respected outfit with a strong offering in the startups and emerging companies space. The team regularly handles a range of matters including early to late stage financing rounds, mergers and acquisitions, IPOs, and general corporate advice. Mintz is well known for its representations of venture capital investors as well as venture-backed companies in the healthcare, life sciences and technology sectors.4 Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLPStartups & Emerging Companies2025 | Band 4 | 10 Years RankedMorgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP assists both investors and emerging companies across a diverse array of legal disciplines, such as financing, IP and tax, with a focus on the life sciences and technology sectors. The team is able to advise on transactions at all stages of a company's life cycle, from inception through angel and venture financing to IPO. It brings to bear an international network of legal professionals, both throughout the USA and overseas in Asia, the Middle East and Europe. The department is particularly active in the areas of renewable energy, fintech and healthcare and life sciences.4 Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLPStartups & Emerging Companies2025 | Band 4 | 5 Years RankedNelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP has a distinguished team of practitioners with considerable experience of handling cross-border issues. The department maintains an enviable client base drawn from the growing community of start-ups and scale-ups in the Southeastern USA. It also boasts key relationships with venture capital funds and companies across the nation.
Band 5
5 Brown Rudnick LLPStartups & Emerging Companies2025 | Band 5 | 1 Years RankedBrown Rudnick LLP has built a strong startups and emerging companies practice, advising a range of clients in early stage growth. The team advises startups, investors and venture companies across a range of industries including life sciences, artificial intelligence and cleantech. The law firm also provides international capabilities catering complex cross-border transactions.
5 Foley & Lardner LLPStartups & Emerging Companies2025 | Band 5 | 2 Years RankedFoley & Lardner's practice group is well regarded for its representation of life sciences and technology companies. The firm regularly assists early-stage companies and venture funds on financings, including seed and Series A, B and C financings.5 Foley Hoag LLPStartups & Emerging Companies2025 | Band 5 | 2 Years RankedFoley Hoag has a well-regarded startup practice which regularly advises early-stage companies on formations, corporate governance and financings. The team's clients stem from a wide array of sectors, including the energy, technology and cannabis industries.5 Fox RothschildStartups & Emerging Companies2025 | Band 5 | 5 Years RankedFox Rothschild is highly regarded for its expertise in the startups and emerging companies space. The law firm has a nationwide presence and advises clients on venture work from start to finish. The team has collective experience in the life sciences, technology and blockchain sectors.
5 Greenberg Traurig, LLPStartups & Emerging Companies2025 | Band 5 | 2 Years RankedGreenberg Traurig's LLP team maintains a strong emerging companies department. The group regularly advises companies and venture capital funds on early-stage financings, from seed through to Series A, B and C. The team boasts strength in handling issues containing cross-border elements.
5 Holland & Knight LLPStartups & Emerging Companies2025 | Band 5 | 1 Years RankedHolland & Knight LLP has renowned expertise in the startups and emerging companies space. The team advises clients across a range of industries including the biotech, healthcare and technology sectors. The law firm boasts a nationwide presence, from Boston to Southern California.
5 KattenStartups & Emerging Companies2025 | Band 5 | 10 Years RankedKatten represents both investors and high-growth companies in financing matters across a multitude of industries, including the life science and technology sectors. The department is proficient in aiding startup companies throughout their life-cycle from inception to IPO. Its expertise in the emerging companies space is bolstered by strength in matters of IP and tax.
5 Morris, Manning & Martin, LLPStartups & Emerging Companies2025 | Band 5 | 4 Years RankedMorris, Manning & Martin boasts a strong practice in the space. The team routinely demonstrates its ability to advising emerging companies and venture funds on financings across the life-cycle of a company. The group handles issues across a wide spectrum of industries, such as the technology, financial and transport sectors.
5 Nixon Peabody LLPStartups & Emerging Companies2025 | Band 5 | 4 Years RankedNixon Peabody LLP has a robust startups and emerging companies team which is known for its extensive representations of early-stage companies. The team is especially adept at handling seed and early-series funding rounds as well as mergers and acquisitions of later-stage companies.5 Reitler Kailas & Rosenblatt LLPStartups & Emerging Companies2025 | Band 5 | 2 Years RankedReitler Kailas & Rosenblatt's group is highlighted for its ability to provide strong counsel to both funds and emerging companies. The team is notably adept at handling financings and has the capacity to support organizations throughout their life-cycle.
5 Ropes & Gray LLPStartups & Emerging Companies2025 | Band 5 | 2 Years RankedRopes & Gray's emerging companies and venture capital practice advises both startups and funds. The team has particular expertise in the life sciences sector. The firm advises on general corporate matters as well as on financings.5 Sidley Austin LLPStartups & Emerging Companies2025 | Band 5 | 1 Years RankedSidley Austin LLP has an established emerging companies and venture capital practice offering global and nationwide expertise. The team advises clients across their Palo Alto, San Francisco, Chicago and New York offices. The law firm serves as legal counsel to startups across a range of industries including cryptocurrency, life sciences and artificial intelligence.
5 Troutman Pepper Locke LLPStartups & Emerging Companies2025 | Band 5 | 2 Years RankedTroutman Pepper Locke LLP contains a well-regarded startup team. The group regularly advises emerging companies in the technology and the life sciences sectors. The firm assists on angel and seed funding rounds. Its practitioners also boast notable strength in handling Series A, B and C financings.
On 1 January 2025, Troutman Pepper and Locke Lord merged to form Troutman Pepper Locke LLP.
5 Wiggin and Dana LLPStartups & Emerging Companies2025 | Band 5 | 1 Years RankedWiggin and Dana LLP has an established startup and emerging companies practice, advising early stage companies in all stages of their life-cycles. They provide expertise across multiple industries including digital media, technology, life sciences and telecommunications. The team offers a full-service experience, from seed financing to IPOs.
- Silicon Legal Strategy, A Professional CorporationStartups & Emerging Companies2025 | Band 5