A new BCG Attorney Search report ranks the most and least diverse law firms in the United States for 2026.
The report covers 50 active U.S. law firms. It shows a wide gap in diversity scores.
BCG also reviewed minority attorneys and women partners. The report also examined minority partners and DEI programs.
In addition, the findings show a gap between associate and partner representation.
Learn more from this report: The Most and Least Diverse Law Firms in the United States: Complete 2026 Rankings (Active Firms Only)
O’Melveny Ranks First
According to BCG, O’Melveny & Myers ranks first.
The firm earned a diversity score of 9.7.
Morgan Lewis & Bockius ranks second with 9.5. Orrick ranks third with 9.4.
Next, Clifford Chance US ranks fourth with 9.2. BakerHostetler follows with 9.1.
The top 10 also includes Proskauer Rose and McDermott Will & Emery.
Covington & Burling, Robinson+Cole, and Jackson Walker complete the top 10.
Sullivan & Cromwell Ranks 50th
Sullivan & Cromwell ranks 50th in the BCG report.
The firm received a diversity score of 3.2.
Cravath, Swaine & Moore ranks 49th with 3.4. Wachtell Lipton follows at 3.6.
Davis Polk ranks 47th with 3.8. Cleary Gottlieb scores 4.0.
Simpson Thacher ranks 45th with 4.1.
As a result, the scores show a wide gap across the list.
Women Face a Partner Gap
The report also looks at women across law firms.
Women make up 51.2% of associates in the firms studied.
However, women account for only 25.4% of partners.
That gap becomes clear at the senior level.
Meanwhile, minority attorneys make up an average of 23.2% of attorneys across the 50 firms.
Therefore, the findings point to both hiring and promotion.
California Leads Minority Representation
BCG also compares major U.S. legal markets.
California has the highest minority attorney share at 35.2%.
Texas follows at 32.4%. The Northeast records 22.3%.
As a result, diversity levels vary across major legal markets.
However, location alone does not explain each firm’s results.
Practice Areas Differ
The report compares diversity across several practice areas.
Employment law has the highest score at 8.5.
IP and technology follows at 7.9. Litigation scores 7.8.
On the other hand, energy law scores 5.5.
Banking and finance scores 5.8. Tax law follows at 5.9.
Therefore, practice area can also affect diversity trends.
Why the Rankings Matter
The 2026 law firm diversity rankings give legal professionals another research tool.
For example, law students can use the data when comparing firms.
Likewise, lateral associates can review the rankings before changing firms.
However, a diversity score does not show everything.
Candidates can also review pay and work assignments. They can check mentoring and promotion paths.
Meanwhile, recruiters can use the findings to review their talent pipelines.
Firm leaders can also look beyond hiring numbers.
Diversity Goes Beyond Hiring
The report shows a gap between hiring and advancement.
Women make up more than half of associates in the firms studied.
However, their share falls to 25.4% at the partner level.
Minority representation can also change as attorneys move up.
Therefore, firms may need to focus on retention and promotion.
Strong hiring numbers alone may not change firm leadership.
Conclusion
BCG Attorney Search’s 2026 report examines diversity at 50 active U.S. law firms.
O’Melveny & Myers ranks first with a score of 9.7.
Sullivan & Cromwell ranks 50th with a score of 3.2.
Meanwhile, the report shows differences by gender and minority status.
It also shows differences by location and practice area.
For attorneys and law students, the data can support employer research.
For recruiters and firms, it can highlight areas for review.
However, rankings offer only one view of a workplace.
Candidates can therefore review the underlying data before making career decisions.
Learn more from this report: The Most and Least Diverse Law Firms in the United States: Complete 2026 Rankings (Active Firms Only)
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Most Diverse Law Firms in the U.S. in 2026 first appeared on
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