Rutan & Tucker LLP is one of the fastest-growing firms in Orange County, and all indications are that the booming trend will continue.
The Irvine-based firm went from 133 lawyers in September 2022 to 151 as of September 2025.
In headcount terms, the 18-lawyer increase puts the firm at No. 3 on this year’s Business Journal inaugural list of fastest-growing OC law firms by absolute change.
“With uncertainty in the business landscape, more companies are looking to work with highly regarded regional firms like Rutan to address their changing legal needs at reasonable rates,” Managing Partner Vijay Patel told the Business Journal on Nov. 15.
He added: “All indications from our clients are that demand will continue at the same levels as 2025 or higher.”
In March, Rutan edged out Knobbe Martens for the designation of largest local firm by attorney numbers.
Top Gainers, by Growth Rate
The Business Journal this week is presenting two lists: Growth of attorneys in both percentage and absolute terms over a three-year period.
The overall attorney headcount for the 17 firms surveyed by the Business Journal rose from 674 in September 2022 to 873 as of this September. That rate equals 34% growth over three years. In March, the Business Journal annual list of the largest legal firms showed a 5% annual growth to 3,100 attorneys.
Frost Brown Todd took the No. 1 spot by percentage and absolute growth. It set up shop here in 2023, going from zero to 24 lawyers.
No. 2-ranked Katz Ruby Carle LLP saw a 700% increase at its small firm, going from one attorney in 2022 to the current eight headcount.
No. 3-ranked FBFK law firm’s office added 18 lawyers, bringing the total to 21 with a 600% growth rate.
No. 4-ranked Kimura London & White LLP, based in Irvine, grew by 160% over the three-year period, from five to 13 attorneys.
Everett Dorey LLP ranked No. 5, by percentage growth, added 23 lawyers over the three years. That works out to an 88% growth rate. In terms of absolute growth, the firm ranked No. 2.
Allen Matkins was the sixth-fastest-growing law firm in Orange County, with its attorney headcount growing from 45 to 60 over the three years, for a 33% increase. In terms of absolute growth, it ranked No. 5.
“We have a diverse client base that has already started working on projects for next year, so we do expect our growth to continue into 2026,” Allen Matkins’ OC Operating Partner Drew Emmel told the Business Journal on Nov. 10.
Emmel said the firm is currently handling numerous significant real estate transactions throughout California, including negotiating leases in connection with LA28, serving as counsel to Southwest Airlines in its LAX expansion
It is also advising on a new hospital and life sciences complex at Potrero Power Station Block 2 in San Francisco.
Callahan & Blaine
Santa Ana-based Callahan & Blaine’s headcount of lawyers grew by six. That equals a 20% growth rate, ranking it No. 12. The law firm is moving to a 45,000 square foot facility at the Irvine Company’s Newport Gateway office towers.
The OC office of Los Angeles-based powerhouse O’Melveny & Myers LLP saw its lawyer headcount rise to 57 from 52 for an increase of just under 10%.
