As a metaphor for its dynasty in The American Lawyer Litigation Department of the Year contest, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher likes to invoke the New York Yankees of Ruth and Gehrig. But that team predated the era of free agency for athletes and lawyers. The better comparison is the 2001-2004 New England Patriots. Like that team, Gibson Dunn has now won three championships in four contests.

(Read the full 2016 report: Litigation Department of the Year.)