In our 2020 research, we identified the best-performing law firms for pro bono work.
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 pro bono scores are a combination of all topics that can affect the associate's pro bono experience.
Pro bono: law firm rankings 2021
The elite
Covington & Burling | Dechert | Finnegan | Gibson, Dunn | Harris, Wiltshire | Holwell Shuster | Kramer Levin | Munger, Tolles & Olson | Patterson Belknap | Paul Hastings
Excellent performer
Akin Gump | Cleary Gottlieb | Cozen O'Connor | Debevoise & Plimpton | Hogan Lovells US | Jenner & Block | Jones Day | Latham & Watkins | Linklaters | Morrison & Foerster | Paul, Weiss | Proskauer Rose | Sidley Austin | Skadden | White & Case
Strong performer
Arnold & Porter | Cadwalader | Clifford Chance | Cooley | Crowell & Moring | Dorsey & Whitney | Duane Morris | Fish & Richardson | Foley & Lardner | Foley Hoag | Goodwin | Goulston & Storrs | Hunton Andrews Kurth | Irell & Manella | McDermott | Morgan, Lewis & Bockius | Nelson Mullins | Orrick | Perkins Coie | Reed Smith | Shearman & Sterling | Thompson & Knight | Wiley Rein | Willkie Farr | Winston & Strawn
Endorsed
Adam Leitman Bailey | Allen & Overy | Alston & Bird | Ashurst | Axinn | Baker Botts | Bracewell | Cahill | Choate Hall & Stewart | Cravath | Davis Polk & Wardwell | Dykema Gossett | Fox Rothschild | Freshfields | Fried, Frank | Greenberg Glusker | Greenberg Traurig | Gunderson | Haynes and Boone | Holland & Knight | Jackson Walker | K&L Gates | Katten | King & Spalding | Kirkland & Ellis | Mayer Brown | Milbank | Mintz Levin | Norton Rose Fulbright | Pillsbury | Schulte Roth & Zabel | Seward & Kissel | Seyfarth Shaw | Sheppard, Mullin | Simpson Thacher | Sterne, Kessler | Sullivan & Cromwell | Vedder Price | Venable | Vinson & Elkins | Waller | Weil | Wilson Sonsini
To assess whether associate satisfaction with pro bono work is meeting, exceeding or falling short of expectations, we ask a series of questions to measure what incoming associates expected, and how important pro bono work is to them at this stage in their careers.
In general, to exceed expectation is a good thing, but outcomes also depend on the accuracy of the firm's recruitment marketing as well as the truths behind the rumors at large.
Compare all law firms on pro bono hours>
