Bloomberg Law’s "They’ve Got Next: The 40 Under 40" is a prestigious annual award program that recognizes the most talented and promising young attorneys in the United States. To qualify, nominees must be under the age of 40 and demonstrate a consistent track record of success, leadership in their law firms or organizations, and a significant commitment to pro bono work and community service.
The legal profession is increasingly defined by rapid technological shifts, evolving regulatory landscapes, and a heightened focus on diversity and social responsibility. In this environment, Bloomberg Law launched its "They’ve Got Next" initiative to spotlight the next generation of legal leaders who are not only mastering their craft but also reshaping the industry's future. As we move through 2026, the significance of this accolade has only grown, serving as a critical benchmark for excellence in a competitive global market.
Understanding the Bloomberg Law 40 Under 40 Program
Established in 2021, the Bloomberg Law 40 Under 40 honors attorneys across a wide array of practice areas, ranging from intellectual property and antitrust to labor and employment and white-collar defense. Unlike some legal rankings that rely heavily on peer popularity or "pay-to-play" models, Bloomberg Law emphasizes a rigorous, editorially driven selection process. The goal is to identify individuals who have achieved significant client wins, led major corporate transactions, or influenced legal precedents at a remarkably young age.
The program is part of Bloomberg Law's broader "They’ve Got Next" series, which includes deep-dive profiles and analysis into the career paths of influential lawyers. For the legal community, this list provides a snapshot of where the industry is heading and which rising stars are likely to lead the nation's top law firms and legal departments over the next two decades.
Eligibility and Nomination Requirements
The eligibility criteria for the Bloomberg Law 40 Under 40 are specific and designed to ensure the integrity of the list. While the core requirement is age-based, the qualitative requirements are what truly separate the honorees from the nominees.
Age and Professional Status
For the 2026 cycle, nominees must be under 40 years of age as of the publication date. This age limit is strict, emphasizing the "rising star" nature of the award. Nominees must be practicing attorneys in the United States, representing a variety of sectors including private practice, in-house legal departments, government agencies, and non-profit organizations.
The Nomination Package
A successful nomination requires a comprehensive portfolio. Law firms and organizations typically submit a formal nomination through Bloomberg Law’s official portal during the open call period, which usually occurs in the first quarter of the year. The package generally includes:
- Professional Biography: A detailed account of the nominee’s educational background, current role, and career trajectory.
- Case Studies and Deal Sheets: Concrete evidence of the lawyer’s impact. This includes specific litigation victories, major M&A deals, or regulatory settlements where the nominee played a lead or significant role.
- Leadership and Service: Documentation of leadership roles within the firm (such as committee memberships or mentoring) and outside the firm (such as bar association leadership or community board service).
- Pro Bono Commitment: Evidence of the nominee’s dedication to providing legal services to those in need, which is a hallmark of the Bloomberg selection criteria.
The Selection Process: How Honorees are Chosen
The vetting process for the 40 Under 40 is an internal editorial undertaking by Bloomberg Law. Because Bloomberg Law is a news and information organization, its editors apply journalistic standards to the selection process.
Internal Review and Verification
Once nominations are closed, a team of editors reviews hundreds of submissions. They look for "impact" as the primary metric. Impact is defined as more than just high billable hours; it is about the lawyer’s role in moving the needle on a case or transaction. Editors verify the details of the submission against public records, court filings, and news reports.
Diversity and Representation
Bloomberg Law has consistently stated that diversity is a core component of its evaluation. The editors strive to ensure the final list reflects the diverse makeup of the modern legal profession. This includes diversity of practice area, geography, gender, ethnicity, and professional background. In recent years, there has been a notable increase in the representation of in-house counsel and attorneys from mid-sized firms, moving away from a historical bias toward "Big Law" in New York and Washington, D.C.
Key Practice Areas Represented
The 40 Under 40 list is not limited to a single sector of law. Instead, it spans the entire legal landscape. Understanding these categories helps prospective nominees and firms determine how to position their strengths.
- Antitrust: Focused on competition law, merger clearances, and government investigations.
- Bankruptcy and Restructuring: Attorneys who have navigated complex corporate insolvencies and debt negotiations.
- Corporate and M&A: The "dealmakers" who lead high-stakes acquisitions and divestitures.
- Health Care and Life Sciences: Professionals dealing with the intricate regulatory and intellectual property issues in biotech and healthcare.
- Intellectual Property: Experts in patent litigation, trademark disputes, and tech-driven IP strategy.
- Labor and Employment: Counsel dealing with the evolving world of remote work, gig economy regulations, and union relations.
- Litigation: Trial lawyers who have secured major wins in federal and state courts.
- White Collar and Government Investigations: Attorneys representing corporations or individuals in high-profile criminal or regulatory inquiries.
The Strategic Value of the Award for Legal Careers
Earning a spot on the Bloomberg Law 40 Under 40 list is a significant career milestone. It serves as a powerful "third-party validation" of an attorney’s expertise and potential.
Marketing and Business Development
For attorneys in private practice, being named a Bloomberg Law Rising Star is a potent marketing tool. Law firms prominently feature these awards on their websites, in pitch decks, and in press releases. It provides clients—particularly sophisticated general counsel—with confidence that they are working with the best young talent in the field.
Networking and Professional Growth
Honorees often find that the award opens doors to new professional networks. Bloomberg Law typically hosts events or provides platforms for the 40 Under 40 to interact with one another and with senior leaders in the legal industry. This peer-to-peer connection can lead to referrals, collaborative opportunities, and mentorship.
Internal Advancement
Within law firms, such recognition often accelerates the path to partnership or senior leadership roles. It signals to firm management that the individual is a "franchise player" worth investing in. Similarly, for in-house lawyers, it can pave the way for promotions to Assistant General Counsel or General Counsel roles.
Comparison of Legal Recognition Programs
Not all legal awards are created equal. It is helpful to compare the Bloomberg Law 40 Under 40 with other well-known industry rankings to understand its unique positioning.
| Award Name | Focus Area | Selection Method | Cost to Enter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomberg Law 40 Under 40 | Impact, Leadership, Pro Bono | Editorial Review | Free |
| Super Lawyers Rising Stars | Peer Nominations & Research | Peer Voting & Evaluation | Free to enter; Pay for marketing |
| Chambers Associates | Firm Performance & Client Feedback | Extensive Interviews | Free |
| Law360 Rising Stars | Practice Area Excellence | Editorial Review | Free |
| ALM Best Lawyers | Peer Review | Peer Voting | Free |
The primary distinction of the Bloomberg Law award is its focus on the "well-rounded" lawyer—someone who balances commercial success with community service and internal firm leadership.
Preparing a Winning Nomination for Future Cycles
For law firm marketing departments and individual attorneys, the nomination process is a strategic project. To stand out in a pool of hundreds of high-achievers, the nomination must tell a compelling story.
Focus on the "Lead" Role
Bloomberg Law editors are specifically looking for lawyers who "held the pen" or "stood up in court." A nomination that simply lists the attorney as a member of a large team on a multi-billion dollar deal is often less successful than a nomination where the attorney was the primary architect of a specific solution or lead counsel on a significant motion.
Quantify the Results
Vague descriptions of "excellent service" are insufficient. Use numbers and concrete outcomes. For example, instead of saying a lawyer "assisted with a settlement," state that the lawyer "negotiated a $50 million settlement that saved the client 40% in potential damages."
Emphasize the "Why" of Pro Bono
Pro bono work is not a checkbox; it is a core criterion. The most successful nominations describe pro bono work that is substantial and impactful. Describe the human element—how the lawyer’s intervention changed a client's life or addressed a systemic legal issue.
Common Challenges and Critiques of Legal Rankings
While awards like the 40 Under 40 are highly sought after, they are not without criticism. Some industry observers point to the "Big Law bias," where lawyers at the world’s largest and most profitable firms have more administrative support to prepare high-quality nominations.
Others argue that the focus on "under 40" creates an arbitrary cutoff that ignores the reality of modern legal careers, where many talented professionals may enter the law as a second career later in life. However, Bloomberg Law has addressed some of these concerns by broadening its focus to include diverse firm sizes and non-traditional legal roles, ensuring the list remains a relevant cross-section of the industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an attorney be named to the list more than once?
Generally, the Bloomberg Law 40 Under 40 is a one-time recognition. Once an attorney has been honored, they move into the "alumni" category of the "They’ve Got Next" series. This allows the program to highlight new talent every year.
Is there a fee to nominate someone or to be featured on the list?
No. Bloomberg Law’s 40 Under 40 is a purely editorial award. There are no fees for submission, and being selected is not contingent on purchasing advertisements or subscriptions. This contributes significantly to the award's prestige and credibility within the legal community.
Are international lawyers eligible for the Bloomberg Law 40 Under 40?
The program currently focuses on attorneys practicing in the United States. While many honorees work on international matters for global law firms, they must be based in a U.S. office and be members of a U.S. state bar to be eligible for this specific list.
What is the typical timeline for the 2026 award cycle?
While exact dates can vary, the nomination portal usually opens in January or February. The deadline for submissions often falls in late March or early April. The final list is traditionally published in the summer months, typically July, followed by various profiles and social media highlights of the winners.
Can a law firm have more than one winner in a single year?
Yes, it is possible for a single firm to have multiple honorees, especially if they are from different practice areas or offices. However, Bloomberg Law editors aim for a diverse list, so it is rare for one firm to dominate the rankings significantly.
Final Recommendations for Aspiring Rising Stars
For young attorneys aiming for this recognition, the path begins years before the nomination form is filled out. It requires a deliberate focus on taking the lead on complex matters rather than remaining in a supporting role.
- Seek Leadership Early: Don't wait for permission to lead. Volunteer for firm committees, take on the "difficult" pro bono cases, and seek out opportunities to speak at industry conferences.
- Document Success: Keep a "deal sheet" or "win list" updated in real-time. It is much easier to provide specific details for a nomination when the facts are fresh.
- Build Relationships with Marketing: If you are at a firm, ensure the marketing and business development teams are aware of your successes. They are the ones who often handle the heavy lifting of the nomination process.
- Prioritize Impactful Pro Bono: Choose pro bono work that you are passionate about. Genuine commitment is easier to write about and more likely to resonate with editors than a scattered list of low-impact volunteer hours.
As the legal market in 2026 continues to value agility and specialized expertise, the Bloomberg Law 40 Under 40 remains a vital instrument for identifying those who will lead the next era of jurisprudence.
