/Home/USA/Tax in California: Southern Legal Rankings

Ranking tables

Tax | USA

California: Southern

Tax covers transactional and controversy-related work. Tax on the transactional side covers corporate partnerships structures, tax planning, spin-offs and negotiating tax-free acquisitions. Tax controversy encompasses any contentious tax issue, predominantly at the federal court stage. This includes tax-based litigation, IRS examinations (usually concerning federal income tax issues) and tax shelter investigations. This section also takes into account transfer pricing.

Rankings overview for Departments

All Departments profiles

1

Band 1

  1. Latham & Watkins LLP
    1
    Latham & Watkins LLP
    Tax
    2025 | Band 1 | 7 Years Ranked
    Latham & Watkins is an acclaimed practice noted for its capabilities in the tax structuring of corporate deals, with considerable cross-border capabilities. The team is well known for its superior capabilities in complex REIT tax matters. Its enviable client base also includes retail and pharmaceutical companies, as well as financial institutions. Wider areas of excellence include partnership tax matters and tax-free spinoffs.
    View Profile
2

Band 2

  1. Cooley LLP
    2
    Cooley LLP
    Tax
    2025 | Band 2 | 5 Years Ranked

    Cooley has a highly experienced team praised for its transactional capabilities. Its diverse client roster includes technology, life science, energy and telecommunication sector clients.

    View Profile
  2. Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
    2
    Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
    Tax
    2025 | Band 2 | 7 Years Ranked
    Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher advises on tax aspects of high-value transactional matters, such as acquisitions and spinouts. The team has wide-ranging expertise in international, federal and state matters, alongside strength in litigation and controversy issues. It regularly advises a broad variety of clients, including private equity firms, REITs and multinational corporations in the technology industry.
    View Profile
  3. Sidley Austin LLP
    2
    Sidley Austin LLP
    Tax
    2025 | Band 2 | 7 Years Ranked
    Sidley Austin is a widely respected tax team known for advising clients on tax aspects of corporate transactions. The team is strong in cross-border deals such as M&A. It has a broad client base which includes those in the media, technology and real estate industries.
    View Profile
3

Band 3

  1. Baker McKenzie
    3
    Baker McKenzie
    Tax
    2025 | Band 3 | 2 Years Ranked
    Baker McKenzie is an esteemed practice held in high regard for its adept handling of international tax work, such as transfer pricing and tax planning. The team is also noted for its expertise in tax controversy matters, including litigation and administrative appeals. It works with a host of market-leading clients, including high-profile names from the social media, money transfer and travel booking sectors.
    View Profile
  2. Kirkland & Ellis LLP
    3
    Kirkland & Ellis LLP
    Tax
    2025 | Band 3 | 5 Years Ranked
    Kirkland & Ellis is a popular choice of counsel for high-level expertise in tax issues across an impressive range of transactions. It fields experience in M&A, capital markets and private equity transactions, among others.
    View Profile
  3. Morrison Foerster
    3
    Morrison Foerster
    Tax
    2025 | Band 3 | 1 Years Ranked

    Morrison Foerster is known for their impressive transactional expertise. Their client-base varies from real estate, energy, fintech and more.

    View Profile
  4. O'Melveny & Myers LLP
    3
    O'Melveny & Myers LLP
    Tax
    2025 | Band 3 | 7 Years Ranked
    O'Melveny & Myers is a high-profile tax practice in the California market, advising on matters such as M&A, financing and IPO work. The team services an array of clients including those from the entertainment and technology industries, as well as private equity investors. It demonstrates growing strengths advising on cross-border matters, with niche expertise advising Asian clients doing business in the USA.
    View Profile
  5. Paul Hastings LLP
    3
    Paul Hastings LLP
    Tax
    2025 | Band 3 | 7 Years Ranked

    Paul Hastings calls on notable strengths in transactional tax structuring. The team offers particular expertise in real estate and funds tax matters, alongside wider strengths in tax credits. Its enviable client base includes household-name financial institutions, technology companies and private equity firms.

    View Profile
  6. Vinson & Elkins LLP
    3
    Vinson & Elkins LLP
    Tax
    2025 | Band 3 | 1 Years Ranked

    Vinson & Elkins stands out for its high quality tax offering which sees it routinely advise on complex domestic and cross-border M&A, reorganizations and joint ventures. Industry expertise includes strength in the renewable energy space.

    View Profile
  7. Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
    3
    Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
    Tax
    2025 | Band 3 | 1 Years Ranked

    Willkie Farr & Gallagher is recognized for its strong tax expertise covering M&A, private equity and restructurings, among other transactional matters. The firm is particularly well-known for its work in the entertainment industry.

    View Profile
  8. Hochman Salkin Toscher Perez P.C.
    Tax
    2025 | Band 3
    View Profile

Related Rankings

Tax: State & Local - California
Tax - California: Northern