In the 2026 survey, we identified the best performing law firms for culture
Methodology
For every firm taking part in our annual interview-based research, we invite their associates to respond to an online survey covering every aspect of law firm life. They complete a series of 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 work allocation and career development support. 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. Some questions involve a rating, which we agglomerate here for comparison. The Culture scores are a combination of all topics that can affect firm culture, such as wellbeing, psychological safety, camaraderie, communication, and firm engagement.
The below results reflect responses from 1st to 4th year associates.
The top law firms for Culture 2026
The Elite
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton | Clifford Chance | Dechert | Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher | Jackson Walker | Jenner & Block | Mayer Brown | Morgan, Lewis & Bockius | Norton Rose Fulbright | Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton |
Excellent performer
Alston & Bird | Arnold & Porter | Ashurst | Brown Rudnick | Cahill Gordon & Reindel | Elsberg Baker & Maruri | Freshfields | Irell & Manella | Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe | Perkins Coie | Seyfarth Shaw | Simpson Thacher & Bartlett | Vedder | White & Case | Wiley |
Strong performer
Akin | Bracewell | Cooley | Cozen O'Connor | Debevoise & Plimpton | DLA Piper | Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner | Fish & Richardson | Goulston & Storrs | Greenberg Glusker | Haynes and Boone | Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer | Hunton Andrews Kurth | Katten Muchin Rosenman | King & Spalding | Linklaters | McDermott Will & Schulte | Milbank | Munger, Tolles & Olson | Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler | Seward & Kissel | Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox | Venable | Willkie Farr & Gallagher | Winston & Strawn |
Endorsed
Axinn | Foley & Lardner | Goodwin | Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian | Jones Day | Latham & Watkins | Mintz | Morrison & Foerster | Paul Hastings | Polsinelli | Proskauer Rose | Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom | Sullivan & Cromwell | Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati |