Long known for its work in insurance law and lobbying—it’s the largest lobbying firm in New York—Wilson Elser has expanded over the years into a full–service firm. But government affairs and insurance coverage, regulatory issues, and bad faith still remain its strengths. Counting close to 800 lawyers, the firm operates 23 offices, and has a presence in London as well (where most of the insurance defense and coverage matters it handles have a cross–border element). Wilson also has a network of affiliate firms in France and Germany.

The firm has traditionally ranked at the bottom of The Am Law 200 on revenue per lawyer (under $400,000), yet it has fared much better—closer to the top 100 firms—on profits per partner (around $800,000). And in recent years Wilson has garnered multiple top 20 scores on The Am Law Profitability Index—sometimes even top ten scores.

Still, revenue stalled through the recession, stagnating or even dropping a bit in the years between 2006 and 2010 (a period during which the firm’s head count dropped by some 80 lawyers). And on some key noneconomic measures, Wilson turns in ho–hum—or worse—results. It placed 138th of 194 firms on The American Lawyer’s 2011 Diversity Scorecard, with minorities constituting about 10 percent of the firm’s U.S. lawyers, and barely 5 percent of its partnership. Pro bono fared even worse. Wilson came in 168th of 200 firms on our 2011 Pro Bono Report, with the firm’s lawyers averaging a paltry 8.7 hours of nonpaying work.

—Updated as of 1/1/12