Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis LLP was cited as the best corporate law firm in Pittsburgh, according to the seventh annual Legal Industry Research Study conducted by Corporate Board Member magazine and FTI Consulting. The study identifies the top five corporate law firms in 25 major metropolitan areas, according to directors serving on the boards of publicly traded companies listed with the three major exchanges: NASDAQ, New York Stock Exchange and American Stock Exchange.

Among Pittsburgh's top five, Reed Smith LLP ranked second, switching places with K&L Gates from their respective 2006 rankings. Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC placed third, Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott LLC was fourth and Cohen & Grigsby PC was fifth. The ranks for those three firms were the same as last year.

The study also identified the top 20 national corporate law firms, led by New York City-based Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom, but no Pittsburgh-based firms made the cut.

Corporate Board Member magazine is based in Nashville, Tenn., with editorial offices in New York City. FTI Consulting is based in New York City.

K&L Gates also led the Pittsburgh list in 2004 and 2005.