Skip to main content

Gibson Dunn

Unverified

Los Angeles, CA

About

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher is a law firm with approximately 2,060 attorneys and offices in major cities across the United States, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Founded in 1890 in Los Angeles, Gibson Dunn operates with a bicoastal identity anchored by its LA and New York offices, with a significant presence in Washington, D.C. The firm generates profits per partner of approximately $8.9 million and earned 130 top-tier rankings in Chambers USA 2025, one of the highest totals among any firm.

Gibson Dunn holds Band 1 rankings in Chambers USA for Corporate/M&A, Labor & Employment, Appellate, White-Collar Crime, Litigation, and Antitrust. The firm's appellate practice is considered the strongest in private practice, regularly arguing before the U.S. Supreme Court and federal circuit courts. Its litigation department handles the most complex commercial, securities, and government enforcement matters, and the white-collar practice defends corporations and individuals in high-profile investigations. Gibson Dunn's labor and employment group ranks at the top of the market nationally.

Gibson Dunn uses a free-market assignment system. Chambers Associate rates the firm as The Elite for Pro Bono, and the firm earns strong marks for quality of life and culture. The billable target is achievable, especially since all pro bono hours count equally. The firm hosts around 15 affinity groups and invests in associate social events and team-building. Working hours vary by practice, weekends are generally protected, though closings may require extended hours. The summer class is approximately 201 associates.

Notable alumni include Theodore Olson (former U.S. Solicitor General who argued the landmark Obergefell same-sex marriage case), Miguel Estrada, and numerous federal appellate judges. Gibson Dunn's strength in appellate litigation gives it a unique role among large full-service firms, it is one of very few firms where the appellate practice is a signature capability rather than a secondary offering.

Recruiting & Summer Program

Assignment System

Free Market

Summer Class Size

201 associates

Summer Offer Rate

99.4%

Billable Hours

1,950 hours

Practice Areas & Rankings

Source: Chambers USA 2026 Rankings

Practice AreaBandJurisdictions
AntitrustBand 1Nationwide, California
Appellate LitigationBand 1Nationwide, California
Capital Markets / SecuritiesBand 1Nationwide, California, District of Columbia
Commercial LitigationBand 1Nationwide, California, District of Columbia, New York, Texas: Dallas, Fort Worth & Surrounds
Corporate / M&ABand 1District of Columbia
Energy / InfrastructureBand 1Nationwide
Entertainment / Media / SportsBand 1California
Insurance / ReinsuranceBand 1California
Intellectual Property (General / Trademark)Band 1Nationwide
Intellectual Property (Patent)Band 1New York
Labor & EmploymentBand 1California, District of Columbia
Law Firm DefenseBand 1Nationwide
Privacy / Data SecurityBand 1Nationwide
Project FinanceBand 1Nationwide
Real EstateBand 1Nationwide, California, California: Northern, California: Southern, New York
Technology TransactionsBand 1Nationwide, California, New York
White Collar DefenseBand 1Nationwide, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, New York
AntitrustBand 2District of Columbia, Texas
Banking & FinanceBand 2California
Capital Markets / SecuritiesBand 2Texas
Commercial LitigationBand 2Colorado
Corporate / M&ABand 2Nationwide, California: Los Angeles & Surrounds, Colorado, Texas
Energy / InfrastructureBand 2Colorado
Entertainment / Media / SportsBand 2New York
EnvironmentalBand 2District of Columbia
Labor & EmploymentBand 2Nationwide, California: Los Angeles & Surrounds, California: San Francisco, Silicon Valley & Surrou, Texas: Dallas, Fort Worth & Surrounds
Private EquityBand 2Nationwide
Retail: Corporate & TransactionalBand 2Nationwide
TaxBand 2Nationwide, California: Southern, New York
Transportation: Rail (for Railroads)Band 2Nationwide
Appellate LitigationBand 3Texas
Banking & FinanceBand 3Nationwide
Capital Markets / SecuritiesBand 3New York
Commercial LitigationBand 3Texas: Houston & Surrounds
Entertainment / Media / SportsBand 3Nationwide
EnvironmentalBand 3California
Government Regulatory / Public PolicyBand 3Nationwide
Higher EducationBand 3Nationwide
Intellectual Property (General / Trademark)Band 3District of Columbia
Intellectual Property (Patent)Band 3California
Leisure & HospitalityBand 3Nationwide
Life Sciences / FDABand 3Nationwide, California
Private EquityBand 3California, Texas
Restructuring / BankruptcyBand 3California, New York
RetailBand 3Nationwide
TaxBand 3Texas
Transportation: Road (Automotive)Band 3Nationwide
White Collar DefenseBand 3Texas
AntitrustBand 4New York
Banking & FinanceBand 4New York
Corporate / M&ABand 4California: San Francisco, Silicon Valley & Surrou, New York
EnvironmentalBand 4Nationwide
Food & Beverages: Regulatory & LitigationBand 4Nationwide
Government Regulatory / Public PolicyBand 4District of Columbia
Intellectual Property (General / Trademark)Band 4Texas
International ArbitrationBand 4Nationwide
Labor & EmploymentBand 4New York
Private EquityBand 4New York
Restructuring / BankruptcyBand 4Nationwide
Banking & FinanceBand 5Texas
HealthcareBand 5District of Columbia
TaxBand 5District of Columbia

Firm Profile

Vault Rank (2026)

#11

AmLaw Rank (FY2025)

#4

Founded

1890

Chair / Managing Partner

Barbara Becker

Partners

273

Attorneys

~2,060

Partnership Track

9 years

Billable Hours Target

1,950 hours

Summer Class Size (2025)

~200

Revenue (FY2025)

$4.2B

Revenue per Lawyer (FY2025)

$2M

1st-Year Total Comp (2026)

$245,000+

PPP (FY2025)

$8.9M

Offices (16 locations)

Los Angeles, CA(HQ)
San Francisco, CA
Palo Alto, CA
Dallas, TX
Denver, CO
Irvine, CA
New York, NY
London
Paris
Frankfurt
Munich
Hong Kong
Singapore
Beijing
Houston, TX
Washington DC, DC
Visit firm website

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

Gibson Dunn | Summer Associate Program & Rankings | BigLaw Bear