Winston & Strawn secured a wide range of high-impact wins during 2014, demonstrating the ability to take down foes at trial — and before a fight goes that far.

For example, the firm's 152-lawyer Chicago litigation department took the lead in winning summary judgment in antitrust multidistrict litigation in Illinois federal court involving text-message fees. The May 2014 order concluded six years of litigation.

The plaintiffs' expert had calculated damages at $3 billion, which could have been tripled to $9 billion, said litigation partner and firm chairman Dan Webb, Verizon Wireless Inc.'s chief counsel on the case. Also participating were co-counsel from Kellogg, Huber, Hansen, Todd, Evans & Figel of Washington; additional firms represented three other carriers and a trade group.