*Not running in 2023*
Welcome to Benchmark Litigation – the definitive guide to the region’s leading litigation law firms and lawyers.
Benchmark Litigation has been in the market since 2008. We exclusively cover the litigation and disputes markets and aim to provide law firm and lawyer rankings on the market’s most important cases and firm developments.
We are sorry to share that in 2023, Benchmark Litigation's Labor & Employment guide will not be running. However, labor and employment as a practice area will be considered for the Benchmark USA guide. This will include the National Labor and Employment rankings, National Practice Area Star designations for labor and employment, the Top 20 Labor & Employment Litigators honors list, and consideration for Litigation Star and Future Star designations. Additionally, law firms that were listed in the labor and employment rankings will also be considered for stat ranking within the Benchmark USA guide.
To participate in this year's research, please see the Benchmark US Methodology page here.
What will be considered
We publish law firm and lawyer rankings and accompanying editorial online.
We aim to cover a wide range of issues related to labor and employment, including, but not limited to:
• Employee Discrimination/Title VII
• Wage & Hour
• Class/Collective Actions
• Sexual Harassment
• Internal Investigations
• Arbitrations
• "Gig Economy"
• FLSA Litigation
• Trade Secrets Litigation
• Unions and Collective Bargaining
• Labor Relations
• PAGA Litigation
• Whistleblower Litigation
• Medical Marijuana
• EEOC and NLRB Proceedings
Why take part?
- Editorial coverage in the guide
- Accurate and in-depth representation of your firm’s dispute resolution activities
- Exposure to our global readership at the world’s most significant corporations and financial institutions
- No cost involved in participating in the research
Methodology
Our law firm rankings are based on three key criteria:
Case evidence
In each research cycle we ask firms to provide recent case highlights and this is used to determine their position in the market.
Firms should provide their most complex and interesting cases in the research form and explain clearly to our research team why they are important and what they tell us about the firm’s abilities.
Peer feedback
We conduct an online lawyer survey sent to law firm partners to get their thoughts and feedback on our current law firm rankings and leading lawyers.
All partners active in the relevant research categories are invited to take part and we also conduct phone and face-to-face interviews with practitioners.
Client feedback
We speak to a wide range of corporate and in-house contacts as part of our client feedback survey to get their opinions on the firms and lawyers they use.
Lawyer Ranking Definitions
Alongside our firm rankings we also recognise the work of outstanding individuals. Our recommendations are based on the same three factors as our law firm rankings and consist of the following categories:
Labor & Employment Stars
Lawyers who are highly regarded by their peers and possess a strong case record and positive client feedback.
Top 20 Litigators in Labor & Employment
Lawyers who are recognized by peers and clients alike for their exceptional reputations and achievements in labor and employment litigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send information in another format?
Yes, as long as the information we ask for is provided you can submit in any word or PDF format.
How does Benchmark differ from Chambers or other competitors?
Benchmark focuses exclusively on dispute resolution and litigation. This allows us to provide a much more in-depth analysis of the market. Benchmark is also editorially driven, rather than statistically driven, and strives to avoid being over-inclusive. We aim to cover only firms and litigators that are of an elite status.
How much influence do we have over our ratings vs. the external market?
Firms are encouraged to tell their story via our research form and through interviews. We then measure the firm’s input against the feedback we receive via studying the market. If our studies are in harmony with the firm’s assertions, we weight them equally. If there is an extreme disparity between the firm’s views and a pronounced percentage of the market, we will provide greater weight to the market consensus.
If we participate, are we guaranteed to get rated and/or have commentary?
All firms who submit and can prove they are doing notable work in the relevant practice areas will receive some form of editorial coverage, however we do not guarantee rankings or lawyer ratings.
Should we list confidential cases/clients? How do we ensure these remain confidential?
You can provide confidential clients/cases if you feel we should be aware of these, and we will certainly be respectful of confidential agreements – please mark confidential information clearly, ideally in RED.
When/how do you contact client referees?
We contact all client referees provided to us via email and invite them to take part in an online client survey. The survey asks clients about the firms they use, why they use them, what they use them for and how long they have been using them. The information provided by clients is confidential though we do publish non-attributed client quotes in the guide.
Do you only rate those of partner level?
We primarily rank partners but outstanding senior associates are recognized as well.
We’re a small boutique firm – what chance do we stand against the big brand name firms in your ratings?
Because Benchmark focuses exclusively on disputes, which is often the focus for specialist firms in the market, smaller firms stand a very good chance of being just as highly rated as large corporate firms, and in some cases even more highly rated.
How do we get an in-person interview?
In-person interviews are welcomed if schedules permit. Simply contact us and request one, and, depending on the schedule flexibility of our researchers, we can arrange one.
Should I wait until the firm questionnaire is complete before scheduling partner interviews?
There is no need to wait, as the interviews are not about going through the submission again. Interviews allow lawyers to tell our researchers their stories in general personal summary form, and provide us with the feedback that we require regarding peer review, market trends, in-house counsel references, etc.
Can I review my firm’s editorial in advance of press and suggest changes to it?
No. Firms cannot be allowed to view their editorials prior to press, and are never allowed to have their own input into how they read.
What is the readership of Benchmark?
The readers of Benchmark include law firms and buyers of legal services/in-house counsel.
Is Benchmark "pay-to-play?" If I don’t support the project financially do I still get rated?
Benchmark is absolutely not "pay-to-play." Firms cannot pay to appear in the guide, and can only be rated if the market deems them worthy of consideration.
I have a question that’s not answered here. Can I contact anyone to ask it?
Business Development, Rebecca Synnott at rebecca.synnott@benchmarklitigation.com
Managing Editor, Michael Rafalowich at mrafalowich@euromoneyny.com
Senior Research Analyst, Brittany Sharoff at brittany.sharoff@eurmoneyny.com
