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 2023  

The elite

Brown Rudnick | Cleary Gottlieb | Clifford Chance | Debevoise & Plimpton | Dechert | Holwell Shuster & Goldberg | McDermott | Schulte Roth & Zabel | White & Case | Willkie Farr | 

Excellent performer

Ashurst | Bracewell | Cahill | Finnegan | Gibson, Dunn | Greenberg Glusker | Jenner & Block | Latham & Watkins | Linklaters | Morgan, Lewis & Bockius | Orrick | Paul Hastings | Proskauer Rose | Ropes & Gray | Weil | 

Strong performer

Adam Leitman Bailey | Arnold & Porter | Duane Morris | Freshfields | Fried, Frank | Goodwin | Gunderson | Hogan Lovells US | Jackson Walker | Katten | Kramer Levin | Mayer Brown | Milbank | Patterson Belknap | Paul, Weiss | Shearman & Sterling | Sheppard, Mullin | Sidley Austin | Simpson Thacher | Skadden | Sullivan & Cromwell | Vinson & Elkins | WilmerHale | Wilson Sonsini | Winston & Strawn | 

Endorsed

Allen & Overy | Alston & Bird | Axinn | Baker Botts | Cadwalader | Covington & Burling | Cozen O'Connor | Cravath | Crowell & Moring | Davis Polk & Wardwell | DLA Piper | Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath | Fish & Richardson | Foley & Lardner | Foley Hoag | Fox Rothschild | Goulston & Storrs | Greenberg Traurig | Haynes and Boone | Holland & Knight | Hunton Andrews Kurth | Irell & Manella | Jones Day | K&L Gates | Kasowitz | King & Spalding | Mintz Levin | Morrison & Foerster | Munger, Tolles & Olson | Nelson Mullins | Norton Rose Fulbright | Perkins Coie | Pillsbury | Polsinelli | Reed Smith | Richards, Layton & Finger | Seward & Kissel | Seyfarth Shaw | Sterne Kessler | Vedder Price | Venable | Wiley Rein | 

 

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