General Information
Year founded:
1865
This is the year the firm (or its earliest predecessor entity) was founded.
Overview
Content is provided by the firm.
Ropes & Gray is a preeminent global law firm with approximately 1,400 lawyers and legal professionals serving clients in major centers of business, finance, technology and government. The firm has offices in New York, Boston, Washington, D.C., Chicago, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, London, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tokyo and Seoul, and has consistently been recognized for its leading practices in many areas, including private equity, M&A, finance, asset management, real estate, tax, antitrust, life sciences, health care, intellectual property, litigation & enforcement, privacy & cybersecurity, and business restructuring.
Rankings
Ropes & Gray LLP is nationally ranked in 29 practice areas and metro ranked in 37 practice areas. Best Law Firms rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process.
Read how Best Law Firms ranks firms"Law Firm of the Year" Awards
2024 "Law Firm of the Year" in Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy)
National Rankings
Tier 1
Tier 1 for Antitrust Law
Tier 1 for Appellate Practice
Tier 1 for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Tier 1 for Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice
Tier 1 for Commercial Litigation
Metro Rankings
Boston
Tier 1 for Antitrust Law
Tier 1 for Banking and Finance Law
Tier 1 for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Tier 1 for Bet-the-Company Litigation
Tier 1 for Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice
Highlighted Client Comments
All client comments represent the opinions of the people who provided them. All potential clients are urged to remember that no two cases are ever completely alike and that the result in one case does not guarantee a similar result in another case.
Patent Law
Ropes & Gray provides very creative solutions to complex problems. They have developed a real specialty in PTAB proceedings.
Mutual Funds Law
Ropes & Gray checks all the boxes in terms of providing world-class partners, deep bench strength, timeliness in responding to routine and complicated ad-hoc requests, and--most importantly--effectively communicating in tenuous situations surrounding contractual matters. Our firm has come across some unique and challenging situations over the past 15 years, and Ropes & Gray counsel have been invaluable business partners though it all.
Mike Higgins,
Treasurer
– Putnam Investments, LLC
Health Care Law
Ropes & Gray's attorneys have strong substantive knowledge with broad experience. They have done it all before, which inspires confidence. The health care practice covers the full spectrum of health care matters from transactional, academic medicine, industry relations, privacy, research, reimbursement, and compliance. The bench is deep. This is my go-to firm for important matters.
FDA Law
The strategic legal advice of Ropes & Gray attorney Kellie Combs is among the best in the business.
Monica Singh
– Sanofi
Corporate Law
Ropes has a high-quality corporate and M&A practice. The firm is extremely responsive and understands the needs of the client.
Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice
Ropes has one of the best pharmaceuticals and life sciences practices in the country. The lawyers are thoughtful in approach and are well-versed in current market terms and trends.
Mutual Funds Law
I have dealt with many of the lawyers from Ropes & Gray and have been extremely impressed with their knowledge, willingness to be helpful, and deep understanding of the mutual fund business, as well as the law. John Gerstmayr is a stand out by any measure.
Jameson Baxter,
Board Chairman
– Putnam Funds
Mutual Funds Law
Ropes & Gray combines expert legal knowledge with practical business understanding.
Adam Shapiro,
General Counsel
– Stone Harbor Investment Partners LP
Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice
Ropes & Gray attorneys have excellent responsiveness and ability to understand the legal issues involved in complicated business fact patterns.
Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice
Marc Rubenstein and Susan Galli at Ropes & Gray are the best of the best when it comes to providing high quality, practical, cost effective and excellent guidance on collaboration and licensing agreements.
Mutual Funds Law
Ropes & Gray has a fantastic practice that offers so much to clients. Peerless industry perspectives, collaborative and creative team members, and breadth of legal experience and training of their lawyers help to ensure that broader corporate and securities law issues are not missed. They are a real pleasure to work with!
James Bordewick, Jr.
– Bank of America
Patent Law
The attorneys at Ropes & Gray are absolutely superior performers. The team is well structured, with an efficient, layered approach to providing service. Communication with the team is simple and effective. The work product from this group is the best I have encountered--innovative and rational in approach, and balanced (understanding our needs and budget).They are not the least expensive firm available to us, but we have felt tremendous value from this relationship. The Ropes & Gray patent law group has provided significant "foundational" work to our organization, helping us structure our own internal efforts and processes. I am very satisfied.
Private Funds / Hedge Funds Law
Sarah Davidoff at Ropes & Gray is well versed in the issues facing hedge funds. She understands the fundamentals of the business and helps craft practical advice and implementation tailored to the needs of the particular client.
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Most knowledgeable and deepest bench of any firm we deal with. A bit expensive but you get what you pay for. VERY high quality work product.
Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice
Steve Wilcox and his team are exceptional.
Litigation - Intellectual Property
I've worked with a number of the top intellectual property litigation firms in the country and there are none better than Ropes & Gray. They are top of class in intelligence and execution, and are practical and imaginative in ways that not many of even the best of their competitors are.
Antitrust Law
We've used Chong Park at Ropes & Gray on several important matters. He is an excellent antitrust attorney who knows how to apply both law and economics to real world situations.
Charles McBride, Jr.,
General Counsel - Sr. Vice President
– Telapex, Inc.
Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice
Ropes & Gray has a supreme understanding of both the law and industry with a knack for developing creative solutions to complex problems. This firm is extremely client friendly, very responsive and adept at creating deliverables that meet various client needs.
FDA Law
Ropes & Gray has a supreme understanding of both the law and industry with a knack for developing creative solutions to complex problems. This firm is extremely client friendly, very responsive and adept at creating deliverables that meet various client needs.
Antitrust Law
Ropes & Gray attorneys are very knowledgeable for deal work. They know the FTC very well. The lead partners on a matter get their hands dirty in the details and know their matters. For sophisticated antitrust clients, you need someone to partner with you on a matter and not lead you. Ropes knows the ropes and is an excellent partner on a deal because they know the details.
Private Funds / Hedge Funds Law
The Ropes team is extremely responsive, as we often have time-sensitive inquiries from our business teams. They also have teams based on both coasts, which is very beneficial to us as a West Coast based manager. Laurel Fitzpatrick and Mike Doherty do a great job of leading the teams. It's always a pleasure to work with the team, as they are both extremely knowledgeable and personable.
Real Estate Law
We have worked extensively with David Djaha's team at Ropes & Gray, and find them to be extremely knowledgeable, sharp and very accommodating to some of our timing demands due to quick bidding deadlines. David does a great job of breaking down complex legal issues for our business team and is extremely business-minded when negotiating.
Criminal Defense: White-Collar
I have always found Ropes & Gray to be exceptionally responsive and attentive. With a mixture of attorneys who have sat on both sides of the prosecution fence, their knowledge is invaluable.
Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice
Ropes & Gray attorneys Joy Liu and Kelly Combs are trusted legal advisors, and in my opinion, industry leaders in this area of law.
FDA Law
Ropes & Gray attorneys Joy Liu and Kelly Combs are trusted legal advisors, and in my opinion, industry leaders in this area of law.
Private Funds / Hedge Funds Law
Ropes & Gray is the perfect combination of being very protective of our firm while still being very commercial. The advice we have received from them has been invaluable, both in our day to day dealings and special situations as they arise.
Health Care Law
Ropes & Gray attorneys are smart, client-focused, and give practical advice. They are the best for strategic and mission critical matters.
Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice
Ropes & Gray has strong FDA expertise and excellent judgment. They consistently provide sound legal guidance on complex regulatory matters.
Health Care Law
Ropes & Gray has a deep bench of attorneys with health care expertise. The partners appear to do a great job training health care associates who are very strong.
Litigation - Intellectual Property
Chris Harnett and his team at Ropes & Gray are exceptional at handling complex cases.
Private Funds / Hedge Funds Law
Ropes & Gray has outstanding knowledge and excellent insight into how issues apply to our business. They are very responsive. All these and other characteristics make the firm's CFTC/NFA practice the go-to source for practical and actionable guidance.
Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
Ropes & Gray is a well rounded firm with broad capabilities.
Real Estate Law
Ropes & Gray is an excellent firm with extensive knowledge.
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
See comment above.
Corporate Law
See comment above.
Rankings
"Law Firm of the Year" Awards
2024 "Law Firm of the Year" in Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy)
National Rankings
Tier 1
Tier 1 for Antitrust Law
Tier 1 for Appellate Practice
Tier 1 for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Tier 1 for Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice
Tier 1 for Commercial Litigation
Tier 1 for Corporate Law
Tier 1 for Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Tier 1 for Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Tier 1 for Health Care Law
Tier 1 for Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
Tier 1 for Litigation - Antitrust
Tier 1 for Litigation - Intellectual Property
Tier 1 for Litigation - Patent
Tier 1 for Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy)
Tier 1 for Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Tier 1 for Mutual Funds Law
Tier 1 for Patent Law
Tier 1 for Private Funds / Hedge Funds Law
Tier 1 for Real Estate Law
Tier 1 for Securities Regulation
Tier 1 for Tax Law
Tier 2
Tier 2 for Banking and Finance Law
Tier 2 for FDA Law
Tier 2 for Litigation - Banking and Finance
Tier 2 for Public Finance Law
Tier 2 for Securities / Capital Markets Law
Tier 2 for Securitization and Structured Finance Law
Tier 2 for Trusts and Estates
Tier 3
Tier 3 for Litigation - Securities
Regional Rankings
Boston
Tier 1 for Antitrust Law
Tier 1 for Banking and Finance Law
Tier 1 for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Tier 1 for Bet-the-Company Litigation
Tier 1 for Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice
Tier 1 for Commercial Litigation
Tier 1 for Corporate Law
Tier 1 for Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Tier 1 for Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Tier 1 for Employment Law - Management
Tier 1 for Health Care Law
Tier 1 for Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
Tier 1 for Litigation - Antitrust
Tier 1 for Litigation - Banking and Finance
Tier 1 for Litigation - Intellectual Property
Tier 1 for Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy)
Tier 1 for Litigation - Securities
Tier 1 for Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Tier 1 for Nonprofit / Charities Law
Tier 1 for Patent Law
Tier 1 for Privacy and Data Security Law
Tier 1 for Private Funds / Hedge Funds Law
Tier 1 for Public Finance Law
Tier 1 for Real Estate Law
Tier 1 for Securities / Capital Markets Law
Tier 1 for Securities Regulation
Tier 1 for Securitization and Structured Finance Law
Tier 1 for Tax Law
Tier 1 for Trusts and Estates
Tier 2 for Environmental Law
Tier 2 for Litigation - Labor and Employment
Tier 2 for Mutual Funds Law
Tier 2 for Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
Chicago
Tier 1 for Commercial Litigation
Tier 2 for Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Tier 2 for Health Care Law
Tier 2 for Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy)
Tier 2 for Mutual Funds Law
Tier 2 for Privacy and Data Security Law
Tier 3 for Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
New York City
Tier 1 for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Tier 1 for Commercial Litigation
Tier 1 for Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Tier 1 for Health Care Law
Tier 1 for Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
Tier 1 for Litigation - Intellectual Property
Tier 1 for Litigation - Patent
Tier 1 for Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy)
Tier 1 for Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Tier 1 for Mutual Funds Law
Tier 1 for Private Funds / Hedge Funds Law
Tier 1 for Tax Law
Tier 2 for Banking and Finance Law
Tier 2 for Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Tier 2 for Patent Law
Tier 2 for Real Estate Law
Tier 2 for Securities Regulation
San Francisco
Tier 2 for Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
Tier 3 for Litigation - Mergers and Acquisitions
Tier 3 for Litigation - Securities
San Jose
Tier 1 for Litigation - Patent
Tier 2 for Litigation - Intellectual Property
Tier 2 for Patent Law
Washington, D.C.
Tier 1 for Antitrust Law
Tier 1 for Appellate Practice
Tier 1 for FDA Law
Tier 1 for Litigation - Antitrust
Tier 1 for Litigation - Intellectual Property
Tier 1 for Litigation - Patent
Tier 2 for Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Tier 2 for Patent Law
Tier 2 for Privacy and Data Security Law
Tier 2 for Tax Law
Practice Areas
The below are areas of legal specialty volunteered by the firm and do not designate a specialty in which a Best Law Firms ranking is held.
- Antitrust Law
- Appellate Practice
- Banking and Finance Law
- Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
- Bet-the-Company Litigation
- Commercial Litigation
- Copyright Law
- Corporate Law
- Criminal Defense: White-Collar
- Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
- Employment Law - Individuals
- Employment Law - Management
- Equipment Finance Law
- FDA Law
- Gaming Law
- Health Care Law
- Information Technology Law
- Insurance Law
- International Arbitration - Commercial
- International Arbitration - Governmental
- International Trade and Finance Law
- Labor Law - Management
- Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
- Litigation - Antitrust
- Litigation - Bankruptcy
- Litigation - First Amendment
- Litigation - Intellectual Property
- Litigation - Labor and Employment
- Litigation - Mergers and Acquisitions
- Litigation - Patent
- Litigation - Securities
- Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- Mutual Funds Law
- Patent Law
- Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
- Privacy and Data Security Law
- Private Funds / Hedge Funds Law
- Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
- Public Finance Law
- Real Estate Law
- Securities / Capital Markets Law
- Securities Regulation
- Securitization and Structured Finance Law
- Tax Law
- Trademark Law
- Trusts and Estates
Individuals Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®
Ropes & Gray LLP has 116 lawyers recognized for individual performance in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in
America®.
By receiving this Best Lawyers recognition from their peers for their professional excellence, these lawyers made Ropes & Gray LLP eligible for evaluation for Best Law Firms rankings.
For almost two decades, Best Lawyers has awarded these singular accolades, making them the foundation of our Best Law Firms awards.
Read more about our Best Lawyers process here.
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Client Comments
All client comments represent the opinions of the people who provided them. All potential clients are urged to remember that no two cases are ever completely alike and that the result in one case does not guarantee a similar result in another case.
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Awards
Awards are self-reported by firms and are not verified by the Best Law Firms rankings.
-
The American Lawyer's A-List - Top Three for Four Consecutive Years, Ranked #2 Overall
- The American Lawyer's Dealmakers of the Year - $18 Billion Consortium Buyout of Toshiba Memory
- The American Lawyer's Corporate Department of the Year - Health Care (2020)
- Financial Times Innovative Lawyers - Top Firm for COVID-19 Response (2020) and honored every year since 2011
-
Law360 Practice Group of the YearÂ
Fund Formation (2019)
Health Care (2019, 2020)
Privacy (2016, 2018)
Private Equity (2011, 2012, 2013, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)Â
Securitizations (2019)
White Collar (2019)
- Chambers & Partners - More than 200 individual lawyers ranked around the globe.
-
Chambers Diversity & Inclusion AwardsÂ
Most Innovative Program for Employee Health and Well-Being (2020)
Pro Bono Firm of the Year (2019)Â
Law Firm of the Year in Promoting Flexible Work and Innovative Programs for Mothers (2018)
- Law360 - Best Law Firms for Women (2017-2020)
- Vault Rankings - Top 10 firm for overall diversity, women, LGTBQ diversity, and diversity for racial minorities and individuals with disabilities
- Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index - Perfect score for the 13th consecutive year for LGBTQ workplace equality (2021)
- The National Law Journal - Multiple attorneys named "Trailblazers" (2019, 2020)
Main Location
Boston,
MA
Prudential Tower
800 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02199-3600
United States
617-951-7000
Call our Boston, MA location at 617-951-7000
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Office Locations
Los Angeles,
CA
10250 Constellation Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90067
United States
310-975-3300
Call our Los Angeles, CA location at 310-975-3300
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East Palo Alto,
CA
1900 University Avenue, Sixth Floor
East Palo Alto, CA 94303-2284
United States
650-617-4000
Call our East Palo Alto, CA location at 650-617-4000
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San Francisco,
CA
Three Embarcadero Center
San Francisco, CA 94111-4006
United States
415-315-6300
Call our San Francisco, CA location at 415-315-6300
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Washington,
DC
2099 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20006-6807
United States
202-508-4600
Call our Washington, DC location at 202-508-4600
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Chicago,
IL
191 North Wacker Drive, 32nd Floor
Chicago, IL 60606
United States
312-845-1200
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New York,
NY
1211 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036-8704
United States
212-596-9000
Call our New York, NY location at 212-596-9000
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Dublin,
IE
16 Fitzwilliam Place
Dublin 2
Ireland
353 1 669 4832
Call our Dublin, IE location at 353 1 669 4832
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Shanghai,
CN
36F, Park Place
1601 Nanjing Road West
Shanghai 200040
China: Global Firms
86 21 6157 5200
Call our Shanghai, CN location at 86 21 6157 5200
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Central,
HK
44th Floor, One Exchange Square
Eight Connaught Place
Central
Hong Kong
852 3664 6488
Call our Central, HK location at 852 3664 6488
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Tokyo,
JP
JP Tower 30F
2-7-2, Marunouchi
Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 100-7030
Japan
81 3 6259 3500
Call our Tokyo, JP location at 81 3 6259 3500
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Seoul,
Gangnam-gu
POSCO Tower Yeoksam, 21F
134 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu
Seoul, Gangnam-gu 06235
South Korea
82 2 2141 5900
Call our Seoul, Gangnam-gu location at 82 2 2141 5900
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London,
GB
60 Ludgate Hill
London EC4M 7AW
United Kingdom
44 20 3201 1500
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Management and Personnel
Managing Partner
David Djaha
Chair
Julie H. Jones