Blank Rome LLP
UnverifiedPhiladelphia, PA
About
If you want the number-one maritime law firm in the United States, Blank Rome is the clear leader. Named Law Firm of the Year for Admiralty and Maritime Law by Best Lawyers, ranked Band 1 by Chambers USA for shipping litigation and regulatory work, and recognized as the Transport Shipping Firm of the Year by the Lexology Index Awards, Blank Rome's dominance in maritime law is unmatched. With approximately 690 attorneys headquartered in Philadelphia and offices in major U.S. markets, the firm combines this niche dominance with broad full-service capabilities.
Blank Rome's maritime practice covers the full waterfront, shipping litigation, maritime regulatory compliance, environmental matters, government relations, and international trade. The firm represents vessel owners, operators, charterers, insurers, and government agencies in matters ranging from Jones Act litigation to environmental enforcement. Beyond maritime, Blank Rome has strong practices in corporate transactions, white-collar defense, real estate, finance, and insurance recovery, earning Tier 1 national rankings in 28 practice areas.
The firm's culture is collegial and practice-focused, with a genuine sense of pride in its maritime heritage. Blank Rome uses a free-market system, and summer associates can explore maritime alongside the firm's broader litigation and transactional practices. The Philadelphia headquarters and regional offices offer a more balanced lifestyle than many similarly ranked firms.
In recruiting, any maritime, admiralty, or transportation interest is a strong signal, but the firm also welcomes generalists who want a well-rounded experience. Show appreciation for a firm that has maintained niche dominance while building a broad national platform.
Recruiting & Summer Program
Summer Class Size
25 associates
Billable Hours
No formal requirement
Practice Areas & Rankings
Source: Chambers USA 2026 Rankings
| Practice Area | Band | Jurisdictions |
|---|---|---|
| Banking & Finance | Band 1 | Pennsylvania: Philadelphia & Surrounds |
| Commercial Litigation | Band 1 | Pennsylvania: Philadelphia & Surrounds |
| Insurance / Reinsurance | Band 1 | Nationwide, District of Columbia, New York |
| Real Estate | Band 1 | Pennsylvania |
| Restructuring / Bankruptcy | Band 1 | Pennsylvania: Philadelphia & Surrounds |
| Tax | Band 1 | New York |
| Transportation: Shipping/Maritime: Litigation (New York) | Band 1 | Nationwide |
| Transportation: Shipping/Maritime: Litigation (outside New York) | Band 1 | Nationwide |
| Transportation: Shipping/Maritime: Regulatory | Band 1 | Nationwide |
| White Collar Defense | Band 1 | New York |
| Commercial Litigation | Band 2 | Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh & Surrounds |
| Energy / Infrastructure | Band 2 | Nationwide |
| Government Regulatory / Public Policy | Band 2 | Nationwide |
| Healthcare | Band 2 | Illinois |
| Insurance / Reinsurance | Band 2 | California |
| Labor & Employment | Band 2 | Pennsylvania |
| Real Estate | Band 2 | Pennsylvania: Philadelphia & Surrounds |
| Restructuring / Bankruptcy | Band 2 | Nationwide, New York |
| Tax | Band 2 | Pennsylvania |
| Corporate / M&A | Band 3 | Pennsylvania: Philadelphia & Surrounds |
| Gaming & Licensing | Band 3 | Nationwide |
| Insurance / Reinsurance | Band 3 | Illinois |
| Restructuring / Bankruptcy | Band 3 | Delaware |
| Transportation: Shipping/Maritime: Finance | Band 3 | Nationwide |
| Capital Markets / Securities | Band 4 | Nationwide |
| Commercial Litigation | Band 4 | New Jersey |
| Banking & Finance | Band 5 | Nationwide |
| Intellectual Property (General / Trademark) | Band 5 | Texas |
Firm Profile
Vault Rank (2026)
#91
AmLaw Rank (FY2025)
#73
Founded
1946
Chair / Managing Partner
Grant S. Palmer
Partners
173
Attorneys
~690
Partnership Track
8 years
Billable Hours Target
No formal requirement
Summer Class Size (2025)
~30
Revenue (FY2025)
$852.3M
Revenue per Lawyer (FY2025)
$1.2M
1st-Year Total Comp (2026)
$210,000
PPP (FY2025)
$2M
Offices (12 locations)
Data sources: Financial data from AmLaw 200, FY2025. Practice area rankings from Chambers USA 2026. Summer program data from Chambers Associate 2026. Office locations from firm websites. Last verified: March 27, 2026. View our data methodology