After a transformative 2025 for the legal industry, which saw unprecedented law firm mergers and an expansion of nonequity partnerships, the financial benchmarks for Biglaw’s elite have soared. The American Lawyer’s annual Super Rich list, which now requires firms to boast $1.45 million in revenue per lawyer (RPL) and $625,000 in profits per lawyer (PPL), has become even more exclusive. The bar has been raised substantially from 2024’s criteria of $1.1 million RPL and $550,000 PPL, reflecting the sector's robust financial health.

This year, the Super Rich club has trimmed down its membership to 37 law firms from last year’s 41. Notably, Schulte Roth & Zabel is no longer independent; after its merger with McDermott Will & Emery, the new entity, McDermott Will & Schulte, has successfully made the cut. However, Fish & Richardson, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, and Jones Day did not meet the heightened financial thresholds and have dropped off the list.

The cream of the crop for 2026 includes some familiar powerhouses. Here are the top 10 firms that are not just surviving but thriving in this high-stakes financial landscape: 1. Wachtell 2. Susman Godfrey 3. Davis Polk 4. Kirkland & Ellis 5. Ropes & Gray 6. Sullivan & Cromwell 7. Quinn Emanuel 8. Skadden 9. Paul, Weiss 10. Cravath

These firms are not only outperforming their peers but are also setting new standards in profitability and revenue generation in the legal world. Their success stories are a testament to strategic leadership and market acumen, positioning them at the pinnacle of the legal profession.

For more insights and a detailed look at all 37 firms that made the Super Rich list this year, you can view the full rankings. Congratulations to all the firms that have achieved this prestigious status in 2025. As the legal market continues to evolve, maintaining a spot on this list will require innovation, adaptability, and a continued focus on high-value services.

For those firms not yet on the list, 2026 presents another opportunity to reach for the heights of Biglaw’s financial elite. Almost half of the Am Law 100 are already enjoying the view from the top—your firm could be next.