Top law firms for associate quality of life

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In our latest survey, we identified the best-performing law firms for associate quality of life.

We weigh up the perks and the demands of life in BigLaw and assess which firms find the best balance.

Methodology

For every firm taking part in our annual interview-based research, we also invite their junior associates to respond to an online survey covering every aspect of law firm life. They complete 40 questions asking about everything from their initial views on the firm and its competitors, to their relationships with partners and clients, to the firm's handling of D&I and pro bono. We also ask them about their expectations, aspirations and how important all these factors were when joining the profession and how those views change as they mature. Each question involves a rating, which we agglomerate here for comparison. The quality of life scores are a combination of all topics that can affect personal fulfillment at a law firm, from salary, to hours, to flexible working, to parental policy. 

 

Quality of life: law firm rankings 2024  

The Elite

Bracewell | Cahill | Cleary Gottlieb | Clifford Chance | Cooley | Debevoise & Plimpton | Fried, Frank | McDermott | Simpson Thacher | Wiley Rein |

Excellent Performer

Alston & Bird | Davis Polk & Wardwell | Dechert | Freshfields | Gunderson | Jackson Walker | Latham & Watkins | Mayer Brown | Mintz Levin | Proskauer Rose | Schulte Roth & Zabel | Sidley Austin | Sullivan & Cromwell | White & Case | Willkie Farr |

Strong Performer

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld | Arnold & Porter | Brown Rudnick | DLA Piper | Duane Morris | Finnegan | Gibson, Dunn | Holwell Shuster | Irell & Manella | Katten | King & Spalding | Milbank | Morgan, Lewis & Bockius | Orrick | Paul Hastings | Paul, Weiss | Pillsbury | Polsinelli | Ropes & Gray | Skadden | Vinson & Elkins | Weil | WilmerHale | Wilson Sonsini | Winston & Strawn |

Endorsed

Axinn | Baker Botts | Cadwalader | Covington & Burling | Cozen O'Connor | Cravath | Crowell & Moring | Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath | Fish & Richardson | Foley & Lardner | Foley Hoag | Fox Rothschild | Goodwin | Goulston & Storrs | Greenberg Traurig | Haynes and Boone | Hogan Lovells US | Holland & Knight | Hunton Andrews Kurth | Jenner & Block | Jones Day | K&L Gates | Kasowitz | Kramer Levin | Morrison & Foerster | Munger, Tolles & Olson | Nelson Mullins | Norton Rose Fulbright | Patterson Belknap | Perkins Coie | Reed Smith | Richards, Layton & Finger | Seward & Kissel | Seyfarth Shaw | Sheppard, Mullin | Sterne, Kessler | Vedder Price | Venable |

 

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