Collegial Culture Helps Put Ropes & Gray at Top of Quality-of-Life Ranking
For the second year in a row, Ropes & Gray has been named the best law firm to work for in a survey of associates by Vault.com.
The law firm manages to combine a high-level practice with a collegial and respectful culture, Vault.com managing editor Brian Dalton says on his blog. Vault’s separate summary on Ropes & Gray lists the “uppers” of working there as cutting edge, corporate work; smart and friendly colleagues; and intellectually challenging assignments. “Downers” include an up-or-out promotion system, last-minute requests and job insecurity.
Vault offers this “insider” quote about the firm: “Lawyers do socialize together. It is a large firm and lots of people, so nearly everyone has good friends at the firm. Politics is not a big area of discussion in the Boston office, compared to, say, the Red Sox. Very collegial, no yelling (or any demonstration of anger) permitted.”
The rankings were based 40 percent on associate satisfaction. Other factors were pay, associate-partner relations, diversity, training, pro bono work, and business outlook.
In the separate category of associate satisfaction, Williams & Connolly was ranked first. Vault had this insider quote: “I love working here, I can’t say it enough. Great assignments, great co-workers, great partners, no face-time requirement or minimum hours expectation.” Downers there include a fast-paced environment and hours “on the long side.”
The top five law firms to work for, according to the Vault survey, are:
1) Ropes & Gray.
2) Williams & Connolly, which placed third last year.
3) Morrison & Foerster, known for its progressive lawyers and unconventional MoFo nickname.
4) Fitzpatrick, Cella, Harper & Scinto, which also took top honors in the separate category of office space.
5) Shook Hardy & Bacon, up from 11th place last year.
Above the Law noted the rankings and Ropes & Gray’s top spot. “We hope you celebrate by clocking out at 5 p.m. today,” the blog says.
