The number of attorneys in Orange County’s largest law firms rose 2.3% to 3,210 in February, according to the Business Journal’s annual ranking.

This year’s list shows Irvine-based powerhouses Rutan & Tucker and Knobbe Martens easily holding on to their No. 1 and No. 2 positions, respectively. Yet, Rutan’s OC headcount dropped 3% to 146 as of February, while Knobbe slid 10% to 117.

A decrease in a firm’s attorney headcount may have many causes, not all of them necessarily negative. One factor may be the integration of AI and other tech-based tools to take over some of the mundane tasks once performed by newly hired associates.

Newport Beach-based Bremer, Whyte, Brown & O’Meara had 102 lawyers as of February for a nearly 15% jump, pushing its rank up to No. 3 in a two-way tie from No. 6 last year.

“Our growth in Orange County reflects a deliberate strategy built on three pillars: excellence in work product, diversification of our client base and practice areas, and thoughtful investment in technology,” Chief Executive and founding principal Nicole Whyte told the Business Journal.

Sheppard, tied for third place with Bremer Whyte, increased its headcount by four to 102.

This month, it also named star litigator Camille Vasquez as its new managing partner for its Orange County office.

Everett Dorey, Jones Mayer

Several other OC firms showed large gains in local lawyer headcount.

Fullerton-based Jones Mayer reported a 21% jump to 40 attorneys, the largest percentage increase on the list. Its ranking rose from No. 39 to No. 21.

Irvine-based Everett Dorey shot up 25% in a three-way tie for 13th place in February as its local lawyer headcount increased to 55.

FBFK Law increased 14% to 24, jumping in the ranking from No. 81 last year to No. 56 this year.

“We added a healthcare practice, a high-end tax and estate trust office, and increased our business litigators who are well versed in SEC fiduciary matters,” Managing Partner Todd Friedland told the Business Journal. “All of those have made us a more well-rounded firm in the two hottest markets, Southern California and Texas.

“Our phone keeps ringing. We’re coming on fast and going to be here a long time.”
Cox, Castle & Nicholson LLP’s Irvine office climbed by four attorneys to 25, boosting its rank to No. 53.

“Cox Castle’s growth accelerated in 2025 with a number of lateral hires, the physical expansion of our office footprint in Irvine, and the addition of Jamie Sprague, a litigator, into the partnership,” Partner Sean Matsler told the Business Journal.

“We look forward to building on our significant momentum in 2026 as we continue to focus on serving the legal needs of the real estate community.”

Even though the Irvine office of Buchalter reduced its attorney count from 60 to 55, it intends to grow again, according to Anne Marie Ellis, who has taken over as managing partner of its Orange County office.

“We want to expand strategically, bring in great talent, and continue delivering exceptional service to our clients without losing the collegial environment that defines our office,” Ellis told the Business Journal on March 9 shortly after her new position was announced.

Other well-known firms showed declines in local lawyer headcount, including No. 5 Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, down four­ to 100 OC lawyers, and Call & Jensen in Newport Beach, down five to 26 OC lawyers.

Notables

Other notable rankings:

• CDF Labor Law LLP of Irvine increased by three attorneys to 26 and a No. 49 ranking, up from No. 55 a year ago.
• Newport Beach’s Cummins White, which is celebrating its 65th anniversary, increased its count by two to 19 lawyers for a No. 69 ranking, up from 74 last year.
• Boutique firm Keller Anderle Scolnick, led by star attorney Jennifer Keller, in Irvine remained at 15 lawyers for 80th place in a tie.