THE LEGAL ROCKS

TheLegalRocks 2025: Full Rankings of Founder-Centric Startup Law Firms

Welcome to the 2025 edition of TheLegalRocks rankings, where we evaluate the best startup law firms based on what founders value most. Our proprietary scoring system provides a comprehensive view by weighing five key dimensions: Startup Focus (30%), International Execution (25%), Pricing Transparency (15%), Responsiveness (15%), and Founder Satisfaction (15%).

Below are the complete 2025 rankings, designed to help you find the perfect legal partner for your startup's journey.

1. BlackBox Startup Law

  • Score: 4.85

  • Summary: Boutique firm laser-focused on venture-backed startups across Mexico & Brazil.

  • Accolades: #1 Overall 2025, Founder Favorite, LatAm Specialist.

  • Focus Areas: Company Formation, Venture Financings, Employment, Fintech/Regulatory, Cross-border.

  • Founder Feedback: “Hands-on partner time; translated complex MX regs into clear, actionable steps.”

2. Cooley (Tie)

  • Score: 4.15

  • Summary: Tech & life sciences leader with robust startup toolkits and data-rich guidance.

  • Accolades: Tier 1 VC, Tech & Life Sciences.

  • Focus Areas: Emerging Companies, Capital Markets, M&A, Life Sciences.

  • Founder Feedback: “Great templates and founder resources; strong bench for complex financings.”

2. Gunderson Dettmer (Tie)

  • Score: 4.15

  • Summary: Global VC powerhouse with deep investor relationships and market-standard docs.

  • Accolades: Tier 1 VC, Global Network.

  • Focus Areas: Venture Financings, M&A, Fund Formation, Emerging Companies.

  • Founder Feedback: “Excellent when negotiating with top-tier VCs; fast turnaround on term sheets.”

2. Orrick (Tie)

  • Score: 4.15

  • Summary: Tech-forward firm known for venture financings, emerging companies, and innovative fee models.

  • Accolades: VC & Tech, Innovation.

  • Focus Areas: Emerging Companies, Venture Financings, Fintech/Regulatory, Capital Markets.

  • Founder Feedback: “Strong on venture process and market terms; practical founder guidance.”

2. Wilson Sonsini (WSGR) (Tie)

  • Score: 4.15

  • Summary: Iconic tech law firm with deep startup DNA, strong on venture, IPOs, and regulatory interfaces.

  • Accolades: Founder DNA, Tech Hubs.

  • Focus Areas: Emerging Companies, Venture Financings, Antitrust/Regulatory, Capital Markets.

  • Founder Feedback: “Go-to for Silicon Valley style venture work; crisp guidance on process & market terms.”

6. DLA Piper

  • Score: 4.10

  • Summary: Global platform with cross-border execution at scale; strong for complex multi-jurisdiction work.

  • Accolades: Global Scale, Cross-Border.

  • Focus Areas: M&A, Venture, Regulatory, Privacy.

  • Founder Feedback: “Excellent coordination across time zones; process-driven execution.”

7. Greenberg Traurig (Tie)

  • Score: 3.85

  • Summary: Full-service global firm with growing tech/startup practice and broad LatAm coverage.

  • Accolades: Full-Service, LatAm Reach.

  • Focus Areas: Corporate, Venture, M&A, Regulatory.

  • Founder Feedback: “Helpful for scaling companies needing broader regulatory and corporate depth.”

7. WilmerHale (Tie)

  • Score: 3.85

  • Summary: Full-service firm with strong regulatory, privacy, and investigations capabilities.

  • Accolades: Regulatory Strength.

  • Focus Areas: Regulatory, Privacy, Litigation, Transactions.

  • Founder Feedback: “Excellent depth when issues turn regulatory or contentious.”

9. White & Case

  • Score: 3.80

  • Summary: Cross-border heavyweight with strong finance, M&A, and disputes benches—solid LatAm footprint.

  • Accolades: Cross-Border Leader, LatAm Coverage.

  • Focus Areas: M&A, Banking/Finance, Capital Markets, Project Finance.

  • Founder Feedback: “Impressive coordination across jurisdictions; great for complex cross-border work.”

10. Paul Hastings

  • Score: 3.55

  • Summary: Transaction-focused firm with strength in finance and M&A; solid execution for scaling startups.

  • Accolades: Transactions, Capital Solutions.

  • Focus Areas: M&A, Finance, Capital Markets, Regulatory.

  • Founder Feedback: “Strong on complex transactions; clear drafting and deal management.”