Nominations Open for 2026 They’ve Got Next: The 40 Under 40

We’re pleased to announce that nominations are now open for the 2026 edition of They’ve Got Next: The 40 Under 40, Bloomberg Law’s special report recognizing stellar young lawyers.

You can check out the 2025 edition of our special report here, along with our fun feature, By the Numbers, and a story with practice tips from past nominees.

Nomination Criteria

Age Requirements: Bloomberg Law’s 2026 “They’ve Got Next: The 40 Under 40” will recognize 40 outstanding lawyers across the United States, who are age 40 and under as of July 15, 2026.

Practice and Geography Requirements: To qualify for this award, lawyers must be engaged in the full-time practice of law at a law firm, company, government agency, non-profit or university based in the United States. (Lawyers working abroad for U.S.-based law firms, companies, government agencies, non-profits or universities may also apply.)

Successful Applicants: Successful applicants will be lawyers with track records of success in significant, high-impact client matters. These lawyers will also:

• Earn the respect of more senior team members by successfully establishing early ownership of key roles in client matters. For instance, many successful applicants featured in past editions of “They’ve Got Next: The 40 Under 40" have successfully led high-stakes corporate litigation, arbitration, financing transactions, government investigations, mergers and have worked on projects utilizing artificial intelligence.
• Demonstrate strong leadership skills in their workplaces and communities, through firm and other professional leadership roles and pro bono service.
• Show tangible support for fostering inclusion at their firms, companies and organizations.
• Demonstrate new ways of thinking about their legal practices through innovation and/or thought leadership.

Nomination Limits: An employer (law firm, non-profit, company or other entity) may nominate one attorney. Attorneys may also self nominate or nominate one attorney colleague.

Award Limits: Bloomberg Law will honor exactly 40 young lawyers selected by a team of editors after a thorough review of the 2025 nominations. We will honor no more than two attorneys affiliated with the same law firm, company, government agency, non-profit or university.

Honorees from 2022 They’ve Got Next: The 40 Under 40. Top row, from left: Margaret Segall of Cravath; LaRue Robinson of Willkie Farr & Gallagher; Lauren Boehmke and Dustin Guzior, both of Sullivan & Cromwell. Bottom row, from left: Julius Chen of Akin Gump; Laura Turano of Paul, Weiss; Luke McCloud of Williams & Connolly and Shirlethia Franklin of Jones Day.

Jonathan Hurtarte / Bloomberg Law

Submission Instructions

To submit a nomination, please include the following. Please note, the word count will be strictly observed.

• A short biography. The biography must include the applicant’s name; age as of July 15, 2026; birth date (month, day & year); current employer; current job title (i.e. associate, partner, of counsel or general counsel or other relevant title); and key accomplishments (500 words or less).
• An essay demonstrating the applicant’s qualifications for the award. Please address points outlined in “Successful Applicants” section (1000 words or less).
• Two brief letters of recommendation. Letters can come from clients, attorney mentors, practice group leaders or other senior attorneys (500 words or less each).
• A digital, high resolution, professional headshot.
• The answers to these four questions:
  • What is the most important lesson you learned as a first-year attorney and how does it inform your practice today? (225 words or less)
  • How do you define success in your practice? (225 words or less)
  • What are you most proud of as a lawyer? (225 words or less)
  • Who is your greatest mentor in the law and what have they taught you? (225 words or less)

Deadline

Please submit your nominations via our awards portal, by 8:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.

Please check your submissions to ensure they conform to the criteria and are complete (including both letters of recommendation) before submitting them. Incomplete nominations will not be considered.

If you have issues submitting via the portal, please email your submission to Submissions@bloombergindustry.com.

Questions?

Please first review our 2026 Frequently Asked Questions.

For questions remaining after you’ve read the FAQs, e-mail Submissions@bloombergindustry.com. Due to the volume of inquiries we receive, please allow up to 48 hours for a response.

Thanks for your interest in Bloomberg Law. Good luck!