The American Lawyer Industry Awards ceremony, held on November 13, 2025, in New York City, honored outstanding achievements in the legal profession across 11 categories. The event recognized law firms and legal departments that have demonstrated excellence and innovation over the past year.
Among the notable winners, Cooley was named Best Law Firm of the Year. The firm was also a finalist in two additional categories: Litigation Department of the Year – General Litigation and Litigation Department of the Year – Intellectual Property. ([cooley.com](https://www.cooley.com/news/coverage/2025/2025-11-14-the-american-lawyer-names-2025-industry-award-winners?utm_source=openai))
Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP (MSK) received the Corporate Culture & Wellbeing Award for its innovative wellness initiative. Launched as a pilot program, the initiative offers comprehensive metabolic testing, personalized fitness and nutrition coaching, mental health resources, and group wellbeing experiences. Following its success, the program has expanded to include over 50 participants throughout the firm. ([msk.com](https://www.msk.com/newsroom-headlines-2025-american-lawyer-industry-awards?utm_source=openai))
Morgan Lewis was honored with two awards: Best Professional Development Initiative and Best Provider Collaboration. The firm was recognized for creating a comprehensive AI education program that equips all personnel with the knowledge and skills to use AI responsibly in legal practice. Additionally, its strategic partnership with Thomson Reuters, through which the firm beta-tested CoCounsel 2.0, was acknowledged for advancing the responsible use of generative AI in legal service delivery. ([morganlewis.com](https://www.morganlewis.com/news/2025/11/morgan-lewis-wins-two-awards-for-ai-innovation-and-education-at-2025-american-lawyer-industry-awards?utm_source=openai))
Benesch’s Marketing & Business Development team was awarded the Best Business Team honor. This recognition positions Benesch’s team as the top business team among all law firms nationwide, highlighting their data-driven approach to growth and client engagement strategy. ([beneschlaw.com](https://www.beneschlaw.com/resources/benesch-marketing-and-bd-team-wins-alms-best-business-team-award-at-2025-american-lawyer-industry-awards.html?utm_source=openai))
Williams & Connolly and partner Dane Butswinkas were finalists in six categories, including Litigation Department of the Year in General Litigation, Intellectual Property, and Financial Services. The firm was also recognized for its collaboration with CVS Health in the Best Client Law-Firm Team category, and Butswinkas was a finalist for Litigator of the Year. ([wc.com](https://www.wc.com/News/237916/Williams-Connolly-Named-a-Finalist-in-Six-Categories-for-The-American-Lawyer-Industry-Awards?utm_source=openai))
Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP was shortlisted in four categories: Litigation Department of the Year – Products Liability, Best Use of Technology, Corporate Culture & Wellbeing, and Young Lawyer of the Year (Litigation) for partner Pravin Patel. ([weil.com](https://www.weil.com/articles/weil-shortlisted-for-four-honors-at-2025-american-lawyer-industry-awards?utm_source=openai))
Paul, Weiss was named a finalist in four categories, including Litigation Department of the Year: Financial Services, Best Client/Law Firm Team for advising Carrier on its strategic portfolio transformation, Best Professional Development Initiative for its professional speaking training series for associates, and Young Lawyer of the Year (Corporate) for partner Dotun Obadina. ([paulweiss.com](https://www.paulweiss.com/insights/awards/paul-weiss-shortlisted-across-four-categories-in-the-american-lawyer-s-2025-industry-awards?utm_source=openai))
Arnold & Porter was recognized as a finalist for Best Professional Development Initiative for its new platform, Arnold & Porter University, a centralized, web-based platform designed to streamline the firm’s professional development resources. ([arnoldporter.com](https://www.arnoldporter.com/en/perspectives/news/2025/09/the-american-lawyer-industry-awards-name-arnold-porter?utm_source=openai))
Ropes & Gray was named a finalist in three categories: Best Law Firm of the Year, Managing Partner of the Year for Julie Jones, and Best Professional Development Initiative for the firm’s Thrive program, which addresses the unique challenges new associates face through a science-backed curriculum. ([ropesgray.com](https://www.ropesgray.com/en/news-and-events/rankings-and-awards/2025/08/ropes-gray-named-a-finalist-for-three-american-lawyer-industry-awards?utm_source=openai))
Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann LLP (BLB&G) was a finalist for National Boutique/Specialty Litigation Department of the Year, highlighting the firm’s exceptional securities class action achievements, including securing billions of dollars for investors in high-profile cases. ([blbglaw.com](https://www.blbglaw.com/news/awards/2025-08-19-blbg-named-a-finalist-for-national-boutique-specialty-litigation-department-of-the-year-category-at-the-american-lawyer-industry-awards-2025?utm_source=openai))
The American Lawyer Industry Awards continue to celebrate the legal industry’s most impactful and important work, setting benchmarks for others to follow and contributing significantly to the advancement of the legal profession in the United States.