Which law firms have the happiest midlevel associates?
Midlevel associates at Paul Hastings gave their firm the highest satisfaction rating among the nation’s top 200 law firms, according to a survey released this week.
Paul Hastings earned its No. 1 ranking with an average score of 4.76 on a one-to-five scale from its midlevel associates, the American Lawyer (sub. req.) reports. The publication’s survey asks associates in their third through fifth years to rate their firms in 12 areas, including interest and satisfaction with work, benefits and compensation, and training and guidance.
Overall, midlevel associates gave their firms an average composite score of 4.23, which is slightly higher than last year. Firms in the top 10 scored high for interesting work, good relations among associates and partners, and support for pro bono work.
The top 10 firms for midlevel associate satisfaction, listed here (sub. req.) are:
1) Paul Hastings, with a score of 4.763.
2) O’Melveny & Myers, with a score of 4.735.
3) Cozen O’Connor, with a score of 4.692.
4) Clifford Chance, with a score of 4.639.
5) Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, with a score of 4.591.
6) Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, with a score of 4.576.
7) Foley Hoag, with a score of 4.537.
8) Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson, with a score of 4.525.
9) Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, with a score of 4.520.
10) Proskauer Rose, with a score of 4.519.
Paul Hastings was also ranked No. 1 last year.
Law firms in the top 10 with the biggest leaps in ratings are Clifford Chance, which was No. 97 last year; Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, which was No. 52 last year; and Proskauer Rose, which was No. 41 last year.
Clifford Chance has created several programs intended to increase associate satisfaction, including additional training that includes personal as well as technical skills, according to the firm’s regional managing partner for the Americas, Evan Cohen. He tells the American Lawyer that the firm also has more get-togethers in the office for partners and associates, does 360-degree performance reviews, and has a $1,000 technology allowance to help associates work from home.
Name of Orrick law firm corrected on second reference at 9:40 a.m.
