In the 2026 survey, we identified the best performing law firms for work allocation & autonomy
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 Work Allocation & Autonomy scores are a combination of all topics that can affect the associate’s workflow, such as sufficient hours, workload predictability, and remote working flexibility.
The below results reflect responses from 1st to 4th year associates.
The top law firms for Work Allocation & Autonomy 2026
The Elite
Clifford Chance | Dechert | Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher | Jackson Walker | Jenner & Block | Mayer Brown | Morgan, Lewis & Bockius | Norton Rose Fulbright | Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe | Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton |
Excellent performer
Akin | Alston & Bird | Arnold & Porter | Ashurst | Cahill Gordon & Reindel | Cozen O'Connor | Elsberg Baker & Maruri | Fish & Richardson | Goulston & Storrs | Irell & Manella | McDermott Will & Schulte | Perkins Coie | Seyfarth Shaw | Vedder | Willkie Farr & Gallagher |
Strong performer
Brown Rudnick | Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton | Cooley | Debevoise & Plimpton | Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner | Foley & Lardner | Greenberg Glusker | Haynes and Boone | Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer | Katten | King & Spalding | Latham & Watkins | Linklaters | Morrison & Foerster | Munger, Tolles & Olson | Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler | Paul Hastings | Proskauer Rose | Seward & Kissel | Simpson Thacher & Bartlett | Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox | Venable | White & Case | Wiley | Winston & Strawn |
Endorsed
Axinn | Bracewell | DLA Piper | Freshfields | Goodwin | Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian | Hunton Andrews Kurth | Jones Day | Milbank | Mintz | Polsinelli | Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom | Sullivan & Cromwell | Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati |