For many of New York’s most elite law firms, the question in 2018 was not if they would get even richer, but how fast.

A banner year in the legal industry—with the fastest profit growth since the recession—was particularly kind to the New York firms that regularly advise on the largest M&A deals and handle high-profile investigations and litigation. Among a representative basket of 18 elite law firms that are homegrown to New York, nearly all saw increases in revenue and profits.