U.S. News – Best Lawyers
“Best Law Firms”
November 2012
S&W received 18 national rankings and 16 first-tier metropolitan rankings. The firm was ranked in 18 new categories overall, including nine new national rankings. In addition the firm moved up one tier in 12 categories.
National Rankings
- Natural Resources Law (Tier 1)
- Commercial Law (Tier 2)
- Corporate Law (Tier 2)
- Employment Law – Management (Tier 2)
- Environmental Law (Tier 2)
- Equipment Finance Law (Tier 2)
- Litigation – Bankruptcy (Tier 2)
- Litigation – Environmental (Tier 2)
- Litigation – Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy) (Tier 2)
- Litigation – Tax (Tier 2)
- Mutual Funds Law (Tier 2)
- Securities Regulation (Tier 2)
- Tax Law (Tier 2)
- Trusts & Estates Law (Tier 2)
- Banking and Finance Law (Tier 3)
- Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law (Tier 3)
- Litigation – Securities (Tier 3)
- Securities/Capital Markets Law (Tier 3)
Metropolitan Rankings
Boston
- Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law (Tier 1)
- Corporate Compliance Law (Tier 1)
- Corporate Law (Tier 1)
- Employment Law – Management (Tier 1)
- Litigation – Bankruptcy (Tier 1)
- Litigation – Tax (Tier 1)
- Tax Law (Tier 1)
- Trusts & Estates Law (Tier 1)
- Corporate Governance Law (Tier 2)
- Non-Profit/Charities Law (Tier 2)
- Securities/Capital Markets Law (Tier 2)
- Securities Regulation (Tier 2)
- Litigation – Labor & Employment (Tier 3)
New York
- Commercial Litigation (Tier 1)
- Corporate Law (Tier 1)
- Trusts & Estates Law (Tier 1)
- Banking and Finance Law (Tier 2)
- Equipment Finance Law (Tier 2)
- Litigation – Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy) (Tier 2)
- Litigation – Securities (Tier 2)
Washington, D.C.
- Environmental Law (Tier 1)
- Litigation – Environmental (Tier 1)
- Mutual Funds Law (Tier 1)
- Natural Resources Law (Tier 1)
- Water Law (Tier 1)
- Securities Regulation (Tier 2)
November 2011
S&W was highly ranked in the second edition of the U.S. News & Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms" rankings:
National Rankings
- Corporate Law (Tier 2)
- Litigation - Tax (Tier 2)
- Tax Law (Tier 2)
- Trusts & Estates Law (Tier 2)
- Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law (Tier 3)
- Securities Regulation (Tier 3)
Metropolitan Rankings
Boston
- Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law (Tier 1)
- Corporate Law (Tier 1)
- Litigation - Tax (Tier 1)
- Non-Profit/Charities Law (Tier 1)
- Tax Law (Tier 1)
- Corporate Compliance Law (Tier 2)
- Corporate Governance Law (Tier 2)
- Employment Law - Management (Tier 2)
- Litigation - Bankruptcy (Tier 2)
- Litigation - Labor & Employment (Tier 2)
- Securities / Capital Markets Law (Tier 2)
- Securities Regulation (Tier 2)
- Trusts & Estates Law (Tier 2)
New York
- Commercial Litigation (Tier 2)
- Corporate Law (Tier 2)
- Trusts & Estates Law (Tier 2)
- Banking and Finance Law (Tier 3)
Washington, D.C.
- Environmental Law (Tier 2)
- Litigation - Environmental (Tier 2)
- Mutual Funds Law (Tier 2)
- Securities Regulation (Tier 2)
Chambers USA
May 2013
Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business named eight S&W lawyers among the top in the United States:
- Nationwide: Tax: Corporate & Finance (firm ranking) and Capital Markets: REITs (individual ranking)
- In Massachusetts: Banking & Finance, Bankruptcy/Restructuring, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation, Labor & Employment, Litigation: Securities, and Tax
June 2012
Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business named eight S&W lawyers among the top in the United States:
- In Massachusetts: Banking & Finance, Bankruptcy/Restructuring, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation, Labor & Employment, Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations, and Tax
June 2011
Chambers USA named several S&W lawyers among the top in the United States:
- In Massachusetts: Bankruptcy/Restructuring, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation, Labor & Employment, Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations, and Tax
- In Washington, D.C.: Intellectual Property
June 2010
Chambers USA named several S&W lawyers among the top in the United States:
- In Massachusetts: Bankruptcy/Restructuring, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation, Labor & Employment, Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations, and Tax
- In Washington, D.C.: Intellectual Property
Chambers also named S&W's Tax Group to the Shortlist for the Chambers USA Awards for Excellence 2010. S&W joined five other firms in competition for this nationwide award, which honors outstanding tax work, impressive strategic growth, excellence in client service and contributions to the legal profession.
The American Lawyer
“The AmLaw 200”
June 2013
In the 2013 "AmLaw 200," Sullivan & Worcester ranked 193rd by gross revenues, 101st by revenue per lawyer and 116th by profits per partner (based on 2012 revenues). "The AmLaw 200" is a list of the nation’s highest-grossing law firms published by The American Lawyer.
June 2012
In the 2012 "AmLaw 200," Sullivan & Worcester ranked 193rd by gross revenues, 99th by revenue per lawyer and 120th by profits per partner (based on 2011 revenues). "The AmLaw 200" is a list of the nation’s highest-grossing law firms published by The American Lawyer.
“The Corporate Scorecard”
April 2012
S&W ranked fourth nationally as issuer's counsel in its representation of REITs in debt offerings based on number of deals.
April 2011
S&W ranked third nationally as issuer's counsel in its representation of REITs in debt offerings based on number of deals.
April 2010
S&W ranked second nationally as issuer's counsel in its representation of REITs in debt offerings based on number of deals.
April 2008
S&W ranked fourth nationally as issuer's counsel in its representation of REITs in debt offerings based on number of deals.
S&W ranked seventh nationally in its representation of REITs in equity securities offerings.
"2012 Summer Associates Survey"
Sullivan & Worcester ranked 5th out of 16 firms in Boston in The American Lawyer's "2012 Summer Associates Survey."
The Legal 500 United States
2012
Sullivan & Worcester was ranked in the following categories in The Legal 500 United States:
- Finance: Structured Finance
- Investment Fund Formation and Management: Mutual/Registered Funds
- Investment Fund Formation and Management: Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
- Mergers, Acquisitions and Buyouts: M&A: Middle-Market (Sub-$500m)
- Tax: Domestic Tax: East Coast
- Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation
2011
Sullivan & Worcester was ranked in the following categories in The Legal 500 United States:
- Finance: Structured Finance
- Investment Fund Formation and Management: Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
- Mergers, Acquisitions and Buyouts: M&A: Middle-Market (Sub-$500m)
- Real Estate and Construction: Real Estate
- Tax: Domestic Tax: East Coast
- Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation
2010
Sullivan & Worcester was ranked in the following categories in The Legal 500 United States, a directory of leading legal practitioners in the United States compiled on the basis of peer and client referrals:
- Finance: Structured Finance
- Investment Fund Formation and Management: Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
- Mergers, Acquisitions and Buyouts: M&A: Middle-Market (Sub-$500m)
- Tax: Domestic Tax: East Coast
Best Lawyers in America

2012
Sullivan & Worcester lawyers were chosen as leaders in their fields in the following practice areas in The Best Lawyers in America 2012® edition:
- Banking & Finance Law
- Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
- Commercial Litigation
- Corporate Law
- Corporate Compliance Law
- Corporate Governance Law
- Employment Law - Management
- Environmental Law
- Equipment Finance Law
- Labor and Employment Law
- Litigation - Bankruptcy
- Litigation - Environmental
- Litigation - Labor & Employment
- Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy)
- Litigation - Securities
- Litigation & Controversy - Tax
- Mutual Funds Law
- Natural Resources Law
- Non-Profit/Charities Law
- Securities/Capital Markets Law
- Securities Regulation
- Tax Law
- Tax - Litigation & Controversy
- Trusts and Estates
- Water Law
PLC - Which Lawyer
2010
PLC Which Lawyer? ranked four individual Sullivan & Worcester attorneys as leaders in their respective fields along with the following firm recommendations:
- Banking and Finance - "Recognized"
- Corporate/M&A - "Recommended"
- Restructuring and Insolvency - "Recommended"
- Tax - "Recommended"
Super Lawyers
2012
Twenty-seven attorneys from Sullivan & Worcester were named to the Super Lawyers list for 2012.
2011
Twenty-seven attorneys from Sullivan & Worcester were named to the Super Lawyers list for 2011.
2010
Twenty-seven attorneys from Sullivan & Worcester were named to the Super Lawyers list for 2010. Ilene Robinson Sunshine, who practices labor and employment law, was listed as one of the Top Female Lawyers in Massachusetts as well as one of the Top 50 Female Lawyers in New England. Ms. Sunshine also made the list of the Top 100 Lawyers in Massachusetts.