15 Phelps Practices Earn National Ranking, 13 U.S. Offices Make 2025 "Best Law Firms" List

NEW ORLEANS — Nov. 7, 2024 — The Best Lawyers in America recognizes firms ranked on its “Best Law Firms” list each year through peer review. U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” spotlighted Phelps’ railroad practice as “Law Firm of The Year.” Demonstrating a robust representation of the railroad sector, seven Phelps lawyers were recognized on the 2025 Best Lawyers list for their contributions to railroad law:

• Steve A. Tucker
• Steven J. Levine
• John M. Graham
• Diane Maughan
• Crawford S. McGivaren, Jr.
• Katharine R. Colletta
• Patrick A. Talley, Jr.

Phelps’ railroad lawyers received exceptional comments in this year’s guide. One railroad firm client said, “Phelps has great railroad lawyers,” with another noting they have “full confidence in the advice and skill of the team at Phelps.”

Fifteen practice areas were ranked nationally:

Tier 1

1. 1. Admiralty & Maritime Law
   2. Commercial Litigation
   3. Construction Law
   4. Insurance Law
   5. Litigation - Construction
   6. Railroad Law

Tier 3

1. 1. Banking and Finance Law
   2. Corporate Law
   3. Financial Services Regulation Law
   4. Litigation – Real Estate
   5. Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions - Defendants
   6. Oil & Gas Law
   7. Securities Regulation
   8. Tax Law
   9. Timber Law

Since last year’s report, Phelps’ commercial litigation, construction law and construction litigation practices moved to the top tier of the list of nationally recognized practices.

In addition to its national standings, 13 of Phelps’ U.S. offices made the metropolitan rankings, with 110 practice areas earning spots in the top tier and 197 recognized in total.

To be ranked by “Best Law Firms,” a firm must have at least one attorney ranked by Best Lawyers, strong feedback from clients and rave reviews from lawyers at other firms. The 2025 Best Lawyers list recognized 185 Phelps lawyers from 14 offices.