In the 2025 survey, we identified the best performing law firms for associate satisfaction.
Methodology
For every firm taking part in our annual interview-based research, we 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 diversity and pro bono. We also ask them about their expectations, aspirations and exit plans. Each question involves a rating, which we agglomerate here for comparison. The satisfaction scores are a combination of all topics that can determine job satisfaction, including stress and mental health, career development and retention.
The top law firms for Associate Satisfaction 2025
The Elite
Akin | Brown Rudnick | Clifford Chance | Duane Morris | Irell & Manella | Jackson Walker | K&L Gates | Linklaters | McDermott | Sheppard Mullin |
Excellent performer
Bracewell | Cleary Gottlieb | Cooley | Finnegan | Fish & Richardson | Fried Frank | Gibson Dunn | Goulston & Storrs | Mayer Brown | Morgan Lewis | Munger, Tolles & Olson | Pillsbury | Proskauer Rose | Wiley | Willkie Farr |
Strong performer
Alston & Bird | Arnold & Porter | Axinn | Baker Botts | Cahill | Cravath | Debevoise & Plimpton | Dechert | Freshfields | Greenberg Glusker | Greenberg Traurig | Haynes and Boone | Hunton Andrews Kurth | Jenner & Block | Katten | Kramer Levin (now HSF Kramer) | Latham & Watkins | Morrison & Foerster | Norton Rose Fulbright | Paul Hastings | Polsinelli | Simpson Thacher | Skadden | Sullivan & Cromwell | Vedder Price |
Endorsed
A&O Shearman | Cadwalader | Covington & Burling | Cozen O'Connor | Davis Polk & Wardwell | DLA Piper | Faegre Drinker | Foley & Lardner | Foley Hoag | Fox Rothschild | Goodwin | Gunderson | Hogan Lovells | Holland & Knight | Holwell Shuster | Jones Day | King & Spalding | Milbank | Mintz Levin | Orrick | Paul, Weiss | Perkins Coie | Reed Smith | Richards, Layton & Finger | Ropes & Gray | Schulte Roth & Zabel | Seward & Kissel | Sterne Kessler | Vinson & Elkins | Weil |White & Case | WilmerHale | Wilson Sonsini |
