Lawyers and staff at major law firms, commonly referred to as Biglaw, have traditionally been significant contributors to political campaigns. Recent data, however, indicates a growing trend of these contributions heavily favoring the Democratic Party. Professor Derek Muller of the University of Notre Dame Law School has conducted research showing an increased lean towards Democratic affiliations among large law firm donors.

Muller's findings, which are detailed on his blog, "Excess of Democracy," reveal a striking disparity in political contributions: approximately $52 million was donated to Democratic-affiliated groups, compared with about $4 million to Republican-affiliated groups during the 2023-2024 period. This represents a ratio of 12-to-1 in favor of Democrats, a significant increase from the 6-to-1 ratio observed in 2020.

According to Bloomberg Law, Muller described this shift as "a pretty significant shift to the left." The political donation patterns among Biglaw firms not only reflect their current political leanings but also suggest a potential solidifying of these preferences in the future.

The top 10 Biglaw firms with the highest percentage of contributions to Democratic campaigns include Proskauer Rose and Susman Godfrey, both at 100%, followed closely by Fenwick & West and Schulte Roth & Zabel at 99.8%. Other firms like Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, Steptoe, and Cozen O’Connor also featured prominently with more than 99.7% of donations going to Democratic campaigns.

This pattern raises questions about the political dynamics within these powerful legal institutions and their potential influence on political and legal systems. The complete rankings and additional details are available on Muller's blog, "Excess of Democracy."

As the legal profession continues to navigate the complexities of modern political landscapes, particularly under varied administrations, the alignment and contributions of Biglaw firms will likely be a critical factor to watch. The increasing tilt towards the Democratic Party among these firms might also spur discussions about diversity of thought within the legal field and its broader implications for democracy and governance.

For more insights and detailed rankings of the most liberal and conservative law firms, readers can explore Muller’s research further on his blog and through additional coverage by Bloomberg Law and the ABA Journal.