I'm always elated when we have the chance to briefly step back from the busy news cycle to shine a light on those who are carrying the banner of excellence in our profession.

This year, in our D.C. Litigation Departments of the Year special report, we honor 13 leading firms that over the past year have excelled in general litigation, labor and employment, intellectual property, insurance, products liability/mass torts and white collar defense.

In keeping with tradition, competition was fierce this year. Three firms—Zuckerman Spaeder, Akin Gump and Kirkland & Ellis—share top honors, securing acquittals for former White House counsel Gregory Craig and Bijan Rafiekian, an ex-business partner of former national security advisor Michael Flynn, and winning more than $256 million for BNSF Railway.