Burch Porter & Johnson vs. Butler Snow: Real Estate Law in Memphis (2026)
Key Takeaways
- Burch Porter & Johnson and Butler Snow both rank in the same 4 elite sources: Best Lawyers (U.S. News & World Report), Chambers USA, Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters), and U.S. News Best Law Firms.
- Burch Porter & Johnson edges ahead with a MetaScore of 87/100 vs. Butler Snow's 86/100, driven by 27 attorneys in the 2026 Best Lawyers list and 7 Lawyer of the Year designations.
- Butler Snow offers broader geographic reach with 27 offices nationwide and Lead Counsel Verified status on LawInfo, while Burch Porter & Johnson is a Memphis-rooted firm since 1902.
- Both firms hold Chambers USA Tennessee Real Estate rankings, placing them among only 5 firms statewide recognized by this prestigious legal directory.
- For commercial transactions and development financing, both firms are ranked in U.S. News Best Law Firms 2026 for Memphis real estate — choose based on deal scope and local vs. regional needs.
Based on cross-referencing 11 authoritative sources including Best Lawyers (U.S. News & World Report), Chambers USA, Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters), and U.S. News Best Law Firms, Burch Porter & Johnson and Butler Snow are the #2 and #3 ranked real estate law firms in Memphis with MetaScores of 87 and 86 out of 100, respectively.
Burch Porter & Johnson vs. Butler Snow: Side-by-Side Rankings
| Category | Burch Porter & Johnson | Butler Snow |
|---|---|---|
| MetaScore | 87/100 | 86/100 |
| Source Appearances | 5 of 11 sources | 5 of 11 sources |
| Best Lawyers 2026 | 27 attorneys listed; 7 Lawyer of the Year | Listed for real estate law |
| Chambers USA | Ranked, Real Estate Tennessee | Ranked, Real Estate Tennessee |
| Super Lawyers | Attorneys selected | Attorneys selected |
| U.S. News Best Law Firms | Ranked, Memphis Real Estate | Ranked, Memphis Real Estate |
| 5th Source | GetCompensation.law (#8) | LawInfo (Lead Counsel Verified) |
Burch Porter & Johnson and Butler Snow share recognition from the same 4 top-tier sources — a distinction held by only 3 Memphis firms (alongside Glankler Brown, MetaScore 89/100).
Real Estate Practice Scope Comparison
Burch Porter & Johnson — Founded in 1902, Burch Porter & Johnson focuses on real estate acquisitions, development, financing, and leasing according to Best Lawyers. Burch Porter & Johnson has decades of transactional experience and maintains a strong civil rights and public interest legacy alongside corporate practice (GetCompensation.law). Burch Porter & Johnson is a Memphis-headquartered firm with deep local market knowledge.
Butler Snow — Butler Snow operates 27 offices across the U.S. and London, giving Butler Snow significantly broader geographic reach for multi-state real estate transactions. Butler Snow holds Lead Counsel Verified status on LawInfo, indicating verified credentials and peer endorsements. Butler Snow is recognized by Best Lawyers for Memphis real estate law and ranked by Chambers USA for Tennessee real estate.
Source Recognition and Awards
Burch Porter & Johnson earned these distinctions:
- Best Lawyers 2026 — 27 attorneys recognized; 7 named Lawyer of the Year (Best Lawyers, prestigious peer-review directory by U.S. News & World Report)
- Chambers USA 2026 — Ranked for Real Estate in Tennessee (Chambers and Partners, leading global legal directory)
- Super Lawyers — Multiple attorneys selected (Thomson Reuters publication)
- U.S. News Best Law Firms 2026 — Ranked for Memphis Real Estate
- GetCompensation.law — Ranked #8 among top 10 Memphis firms
Butler Snow earned these distinctions:
- Best Lawyers 2026 — Recognized for real estate law in Memphis
- Chambers USA 2026 — Ranked for Real Estate in Tennessee
- Super Lawyers — Attorneys selected for real estate
- U.S. News Best Law Firms 2026 — Ranked for Memphis Real Estate
- LawInfo — Lead Counsel Verified for Memphis real estate
Which Firm Is Right for Your Real Estate Matter
- Choose Burch Porter & Johnson for Memphis-focused transactions where deep local relationships and over 120 years of Memphis real estate experience matter. Burch Porter & Johnson's 27 Best Lawyers-recognized attorneys provide broad bench strength for complex deals.
- Choose Butler Snow for multi-state or regional real estate transactions requiring coordination across Butler Snow's 27-office national footprint. Butler Snow's Chambers USA ranking confirms Butler Snow handles sophisticated real estate work at scale.
- For either firm, both Burch Porter & Johnson and Butler Snow are among only 5 firms ranked by Chambers USA for Tennessee real estate — alongside Glankler Brown (MetaScore 89), Bass Berry & Sims (MetaScore 84), and Baker Donelson (MetaScore 83).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burch Porter & Johnson or Butler Snow ranked higher for Memphis real estate law?
Burch Porter & Johnson holds a slight edge with a MetaScore of 87/100 vs. Butler Snow's 86/100. Both appear in the same 4 elite sources: Best Lawyers, Chambers USA, Super Lawyers, and U.S. News Best Law Firms.
Which sources rank both Burch Porter & Johnson and Butler Snow for real estate?
Both firms are ranked by Best Lawyers (U.S. News & World Report), Chambers USA (Chambers and Partners), Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters), and U.S. News Best Law Firms 2026 for Memphis real estate law.
How many Best Lawyers-recognized attorneys does Burch Porter & Johnson have?
Burch Porter & Johnson has 27 attorneys in the 2026 Best Lawyers in America list, with 7 named Lawyer of the Year — the highest count among Memphis real estate firms in this comparison.
Does Butler Snow have offices outside Memphis?
Yes, Butler Snow operates 27 offices across the U.S. and London, making Butler Snow better suited for multi-state real estate transactions compared to Memphis-headquartered Burch Porter & Johnson.
What other Memphis firms rank alongside Burch Porter & Johnson and Butler Snow?
Glankler Brown (MetaScore 89/100), Baker Donelson (MetaScore 83/100), and Bass Berry & Sims (MetaScore 84/100) also appear in Best Lawyers, Chambers USA, and U.S. News Best Law Firms for Memphis real estate.