Professional Recognition

Chambers USA recognized Michael Best in 16 practice areas—including Labor & Employment, Natural Resources & Environment, Intellectual Property, Banking & Finance, Corporate/M&A, Employee Benefits & Compensation, Litigation-General Commercial, and Real Estate—and named 41 partners as leading lawyers in their fields. Chambers rankings are based on independent research and client interviews. Click here for press release.

This guide names 98 Michael Best attorneys in 49 different legal practice areas nationwide. Best Lawyers® is the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession. Click here for press release.

Michael Best received a national Tier 1 ranking in Best Lawyers® Best Law Firms 2025, determined through client feedback and peer reviews. Click here for press release.

Clients named Michael Best as a leader in client service, communication, and investing in client relationships. Click here for press release. 

Michael Best is included in the Most Recommended Law Firms 2021 list by BTI Consulting Group, which highlights the law firms most recommended by top legal decision-makers in more than 15 industries. Click here for press release.

Michael Best was recognized among the top law firms best at developing and implementing alternative fee arrangements. Click here for press release.

Corporate counsel singled out Michael Best as a firm making strategic changes in client services to deliver a world-class client experience.

Clients named Michael Best to the Honor Roll of Recommended firms in High Tech, in the top 15 percent of all law firms. 

Business North Carolina named Michael Best attorneys among the 2025 Legal Elite list.

Michael Best’s Banking & Financial Services practice group was recognized in Chambers USA 2025, which says: “Notable banking and financial services practice which takes in all manner of lending and financing transactions. Other areas of strength include distressed financing deals, regulatory compliance and bankruptcy proceedings. The team is regularly sought after for its expertise in creditors' rights matters, reorganizations and workouts. Additionally noted for its expertise in derivatives matters.

Michael Best received rankings in Banking & Finance Law in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers^® Best Law Firms.

Michael Best & Friedrich LLP's Construction has earned a Band 1 ranking from Chambers USA 2025, highlighting its excellence in the field. The firm's team is recognized for its comprehensive expertise in construction-related transactions, contracting, and litigation. Clients have commended the firm's responsiveness and effective communication, noting that the attorneys are "very responsive to my needs as well as easy to understand and communicate with." Additionally, clients appreciate the firm's pragmatic approach, stating that they are "very responsive, able to provide additional insight, and have the pragmatic approach of talking through the business implications and not just the litigation strategy."

Michael Best’s Corporate & Transactional practice group was recognized in Chambers USA 2025, which says: “Possesses significant transactional experience, structuring deals and negotiating contracts for clients across a broad spectrum of sectors, including healthcare, manufacturing, technology, and financial services. Also offers expertise on related tax structuring and planning matters. Noted for its experience in the startups and venture capital space, as well as securities.”

Michael Best received rankings in Mergers & Acquisitions Law in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers^® Best Law Firms.

Michael Best’s Environmental & Natural Resources practice group was ranked in Band 1 (the highest ranking available) in Chambers USA 2025, which says: "Expert counsel on environment and natural resources law…Highly respected for its environmental litigation practice, as well as its expertise in compliance strategy and permitting. Represents a good choice of counsel on contaminated sites. Also frequently advises on air permitting matters [and] climate change issues. Has particular experience in the agriculture, manufacturing, waste management, public and renewable energy sectors."

Michael Best received rankings in Environmental Law and Litigation - Environmental in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers^® Best Law Firms.

Michael Best & Friedrich LLP has earned recognition in the Chambers USA 2025 guide for its Insurance practice, achieving a Band 3 ranking. The firm is acknowledged for its experience advising a range of companies on insurance matters and handling litigation, including areas such as Directors & Officers, cyber, and property damage.

Michael Best’s Intellectual Property practice group in Wisconsin has been ranked in a top band in Chambers USA for 20 consecutive years. Chambers says our “eminent IP practice” team is “experienced in both national and international IP matters. Offers proficiency across the spectrum of IP matters including patent and trademark prosecution, business strategy guidance and patent litigation. Has specific experience pertaining to the chemical and biotechnology sectors and the higher education industry. Also noted for its related expertise in advertising, and domain name and internet issues.”

Michael Best received national rankings in the areas of Patent Law, Trademark Law, IP Litigation, and Patent Litigation in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers^® Best Law Firms.

Michael Best’s Trademark practice is ranked in Illinois, North Carolina, and Wisconsin, and six of our attorneys are listed, in the 2024 edition of World Trademark Review: The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals.

Five attorneys are named 2024 IP Stars by Managing IP magazine, and our firm is “highly recommended” for trademark and patent work.

Michael Best’s IP practice is ranked, and five of our attorneys are listed, in the 2023 IAM Patent 1000: The World’s Leading Patent Professionals.

Michael Best’s Labor & Employment Relations practice group was ranked in the 2025 edition of Chambers USA in Band 1 (the highest ranking available) in Wisconsin for the 19th consecutive year. Chambers says: “A market-leading department with a deep bench of experienced practitioners, skilled in a broad array of labor and employment matters, including employment disputes, employee benefits and immigration issues. Also regularly sought after for its counsel on labor-management relations and for its advice on unfair competition and trade secrets matters. Regularly advises clients on OSHA-related concerns.”

Michael Best received Tier 1 rankings in Employment Law – Management and Employment Litigation in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers^® Best Law Firms.

Michael Best’s Litigation practice group was recognized again by Chambers USA in 2025, which states, the firm “has a robust group adept at handling an array of disputes, including antitrust, false advertising, construction, employment and product liability cases. The team is also recognized for its capabilities in class action suits and for its strengths in white-collar crime and government investigations. The firm is additionally noted for its skills in mediation and arbitration. It is frequently sought after for its intellectual property expertise.” Chambers also notes the firm’s particular experience in the areas of securities and insurance disputes.

We proudly announce our recognition as a "Distinguished in Litigation” firm in BTI Consulting Group’s Outlook 2025 report. BTI Consulting Group performs independent market research in 42 countries and advises market leaders, and is based on surveys and interviews with more than 350 leading legal decision-makers. The BTI Litigation Outlook is marketed as a definitive guide, providing updates on the changes, trends, and opportunities for law firms in the litigation market. Click here to read more.

Michael Best received national rankings in Litigation in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers^® Best Law Firms.

Five Michael Best attorneys are named 2025 Benchmark Litigation Stars in the eighteenth edition of Benchmark Litigation, determined through extensive research, client and peer interviews, and casework examination. Click here for the press release.

We're excited to share that BTI Consulting Group has named Michael Best's Litigation team as one of 58 firms moving up market. This recognition notes clients are selecting our team as their first choice and preferred provider, and we are "are improving your market presence faster than clients are changing their expectations." Click here to read more here.

Michael Best’s Real Estate practice group was recognized again in Chambers USA 2025, which says the team has “Robust knowledge of real estate, with an emphasis on financing and acquisitions. The firm exhibits prowess in low-income housing tax credits, tax incremental financing, PACE financing, and construction loans. The team also has strength in portfolio management, as well as sale-leaseback and other leasing deals. The department is at ease working for public and private developers in a range of sectors, including healthcare, leisure, and retail.”

Michael Best received rankings in Real Estate law in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers^® Best Law Firms.

Michael Best was named a top Real Estate Law Firm in this guide, which ranks leading firms in the Midwest that practice commercial real estate law.