Top Reasons to Choose a Law Firm in Boston
Even if you are looking for particular Boston lawyers, you may not yet have the names of any individual lawyers in mind – or of any Boston law firms in mind. You just know you want to see Boston legal professionals because you have a case that needs attention.
That begs some questions. Why choose a Boston lawyer? Why not go to a suburb or some other city in the region? Why limit yourself to lawyers based in Boston? Why choose Boston law firms?
For one thing, Boston is ideally located for regional legal coverage. With all of these suburbs nearby to the south and west, and with those in New Hampshire and Rhode Island, moving lawyers to Boston and sending cases from Boston as needed into those areas makes logistical sense . Another reason for sticking with Boston-based lawyers lies in the fact that many of the best Boston lawyers are located in that city – thus making the choice obvious. Both formal and informal industry rankings list lawyers from Boston at or near the top of their fields, and Boston’s law schools rank among the most prestigious law schools in the nation. Some high-powered law firms have dedicated offices in Boston. The combination of these factors makes Boston a logical choice for legal representation in various kinds of cases.
Standard for the Best Boston Law Firm For Your Needs
The following criteria has been used to formulate this list of the top Boston law firms. First, we have considered the area of specialization for each law firm as aligned with the needs of specific clients. Some of the law firms on our list have a broad range of specialties while others are more focused. In general, in-house counsel often prefer to use law firms that are more specialized because such firms are viewed as possibly being a better fit for their case.
Second, we have remarked on the experience level of the largest or lead counsel for each law firm on our list for the purpose of making our selection.
Those law firms that received the most positive client reviews during our research have also been included on our list. This was accomplished by using the type of reviews that were stated online by former clients as well as the win ratio led by a single law firm. Most in-house counsels’ preference is to use well-reviewed law firms because the results of their cases often dictate their level of recommendations made to colleagues.
Lastly, we used the success rate for our top Boston law firms as a guiding factor for our selection process as well.
Unique Specializations of the Top Boston Law Firms
The most frequently offered practice areas by Boston law firms include corporate law (27% of all Boston firms), criminal defense (17%), family law (15%), and intellectual property (11%). Closely following those sectors are litigation (9%), employment and labor law (6%), and real estate (4%). Some other common practice areas among Boston’s best law firms are bankruptcy (3%), health care (3%), environment and natural resources law (3%), immigration (2%), antitrust (2%), energy and utilities (2%), insurance (2%), tax (2%), entertainment (2%), education (1%), computers and software (1%), transportation (1%), customs and trade (1%) and data privacy and security (1%).
Prominent Boston Law Firms Highlighted
For those looking to narrow their search in a city with such a strong legal community, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best Boston law firms. Not only do these firms boast some of the highest ratings in our "Best Law Firms" ranking, but they also have stellar lawyer ratings and represent some of the top rated lawyers throughout the northeast.
Our top 3 law firms in Boston are:
Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP
A Boston legend, Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP has more recently ranked as one of the top Criminal lawyers in Boston as rated by clients on Lawyers.com. With a perfect 5/5 star client rating, their plethora of lawyers are well-acquainted with their clients and meet their needs time and again.
Sullivan & Worcester
They’ve maintained their name for 125 years and show no signs of stopping now. With 4.1 stars on Lawyers.com and a multitude of top rated lawyers, they put their money where their mouth is when it comes to ‘forward-thinking’ and ‘business-savvy’, as stated by one of their clients on Lawyers.com.
Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP
Another highly-rated Boston law firm, Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP maintains a 4.5 star rating on Lawyers.com with 78% of their clients rating highly of their services. This Boston-based firm shows what it means to be professional and reliable.
Attorney Reviews and Success Stories
Feedback and success stories from clients can provide your readers with a clear idea of what it’s like to work with a particular law firm. When they can read about other people’s experience with an attorney, your potential clients are more likely to trust what they’re hearing. Second, client testimonials help establish credibility. The fact is, that the best Boston law firms have lists of satisfied clients as long as your arm. They’ve built a solid reputation from helping people. Sharing some of these real-life experiences with your target audience can be invaluable for your marketing efforts.
1. Dwyer & O’Grady
Snipestories: I am very pleased with the results I received from Dwyer & O’Grady. I was injured in a car accident in which the other driver was at fault. The lawyers at Dwyer & O’Grady are lawyers who really understand everything about medical malpractice. They were very sincere in the way they cared about my case. I would recommend Dwyer & O’Grady general practice lawyers to all my family and friends.
Law firm: Dwyer & Grady
Location: Boston
Practice area: Personal Injury
Case example: $3.2 million settlement for motor vehicle collision where no insurance existed
2. Kamsler Law Offices
Client reviews: I have worked with several attorneys in the Boston area over the last several years and have been impressed with the services of only two of them. Lawyers and staff at Kamsler Law Offices have been professional , responsive, and successful.
Law firm: Kamsler Law Offices
Location: Boston
Practice area: Tax disputes
Case example: Large tax fraud matter involving misstatement of personal assets with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.
3. Donahue & Sowers, P.C.
Law firm: Donahue & Sowers, P.C.
Location: Boston
Practice area: Litigation, personal injury
Case example: $1.5 million settlement in third-party subrogation suit.
How To Book a Lawyer Consultation
While some law firms only accept clients who are referred by a previous or current client, most Boston law firms allow you to schedule a consultation in order to determine whether they’re the right fit for you. This process typically starts with an initial email inquiry that offers basic details about your legal issue, a good time to ask if there’s a fee to schedule a consultation. After receiving a response from a member of the law firm’s staff, contact the firm’s office again within a few days to finalize the appointment time. You may get put on hold temporarily while the attorney checks his or her schedule.
Some Boston law firms have a same-day or walk-in policy. The first step you should complete is to fill out any forms that the firm provides on its website. After a brief wait in the lobby, you’ll be shown into an office for the consultation. You may be asked to pay a small fee at this time.
During the consultation with the lawyer, ask as many questions as necessary. Go over all of the documents you’ve brought in. If the lawyer requests more information, he or she may call you or send you a letter with the request. After the consultation, you may receive additional information from the law firm or the lawyer assigned to your case via email or postal mail. At that point, a decision will be made about whether or not to work together.
Law Firms in Boston and Legal Resources
Boston’s legal community is a vibrant and diverse network of professionals dedicated to serving the legal needs of clients in the city and surrounding areas. Numerous professional organizations, associations, and networking groups bring together lawyers, judges, and legal scholars to facilitate collaboration, knowledge sharing, and best practices.
One of the primary organizations serving the Boston legal community is the Boston Bar Association, which has been in operation since 1761. The association provides a wide range of resources and services to its members, including networking events, continuing education opportunities, and access to legal research materials. Other notable organizations include the Massachusetts Bar Association, which works to promote the rule of law and enhance the quality of legal services, and the Asian American Lawyers Association of Massachusetts, which aims to foster a strong network of Asian American lawyers in the region.
In addition to these professional associations, local bar associations , such as the Boston Bar Court Systems Committee, provide opportunities for attorneys to connect with judges and other legal professionals throughout the Greater Boston area. These resources can be invaluable for attorneys looking to expand their professional networks and hone their legal skills.
For clients, there are a variety of online resources where they can access information about the Boston legal community. The Massachusetts court website offers information about the state court system, as well as contact information for the courthouse locations throughout the city. Online legal directories can also provide information about local firms and individual attorneys, as well as client reviews and ratings.
Overall, the legal community in Boston is both dynamic and extensive, providing a wealth of resources and support for attorneys and clients alike. The collaboration between local bar associations, professional organizations, and network groups creates a strong legal community that is dedicated to providing quality legal services to the citizens of Boston.