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Best firms for quality of life

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What’s in a name? Many associates know how prestigious a law firm is just by hearing the name. But its quality runs much deeper than that.  Vault’s 2013 ranking of “The Best Law Firms to Work For” reveals the top firms for quality of life based on surveys submitted by associates nationwide.

“I think for a lot of law students and a lot of potential lateral candidates, the quality of life issues are just as important as other factors such as a firm’s prestige,” said Rachel Marx, law editor at Vault. “[Top firms] can offer things such as, great associate/partner relations, training opportunities and transparency initiatives.”

Williams & Connolly, headquartered in Washington D.C., ranked best for overall quality of life for the second year in a row, followed by Ropes & Gray in Boston. Vault surveyed nearly 17,000 associates who ranked their own firms based on 13 different categories ranging from associate/partner relations and diversity to compensation and satisfaction.

“The categories have evolved over time to reflect what associates have commented on and care about, as well as what affects their day-to-day satisfaction at work,” Marx said.

Vault created a method to determine the top-ranked firms by weighing the most relevant categories for an overall quality of life ranking. Each firm’s final score was calculated using the following formula: 40 percent satisfaction, 10 percent hours, 10 percent pay, 10 percent associate/partner relations, 10 percent business outlook, five percent formal training, five percent informal training/mentoring, five percent pro bono, five percent diversity (overall).

The ranking provides a valuable tool for future law school graduates and young attorneys. In addition to the ranking, students can view Vault’s online profiles for each firm, which include details about how firms ranked in each category and anonymous comments from associates who work there.

This can help future law graduates evaluate which firms would suit their needs best.

“Students are realizing that in their day-to-day life and the sustainability of being at a law firm is a lot more than just prestige,” Marx said. “Our profiles are really focused on the quality of life issues, because unless you know someone who works at a particular firm, it’s difficult to find out what the culture is like.”

Top Firms for Quality of Life

1   Williams & Connolly LLP, Washington, DC
2   Ropes & Gray LLP, Boston, MA
3   Patton Boggs LLP, Washington, DC
4   Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC Memphis, TN
5   Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP, Washington, DC
6   Foley Hoag LLP, Boston, MA
7   Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP, Los Angeles, CA
8   Fish & Richardson P.C., Boston, MA
9   Paul Hastings LLP, New York, NY
10   Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP, Los Angeles, CA

Christina

Christina

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