New York, NY, (August 10, 2010) Vault.com, the source of ratings, rankings and insight for law students and lawyers, has released its annual Law Firm Quality of Life Rankings.  For the second straight year, Ropes & Gray stood above the rest as the Best Law Firm to Work For.  

Vault’s influential rankings, considered the “bible” for law students, associates, partners and law firm recruiters, provide a detailed perspective on the criteria considered by candidates when evaluating law firms.  The Law Firm Quality of Life Rankings provide a unique insider’s perspective, as associates ranked their own firms based on such areas as overall satisfaction, associate/partner relations, firm culture, hours, compensation, office space, training, and pro bono and green initiatives.  From those rankings, a weighted formula determines the Best Law Firms To Work For.  

The Top 10 Law Firms To Work For Are:
 
1.    Ropes & Gray
2.    Williams & Connolly
3.    Morrison & Foerster         
4.    Fitzpatrick
5.    Shook, Hardy & Bacon
6.    Hughes Hubbard & Reed            
7.    Jones Day
8.    Davis Polk  
9.    Paul, Weiss
10.  Skadden, Arps
 
“Ropes & Gray ranking as the No. 1 ‘Best Firm to Work For’ in consecutive years is a remarkable testament to the way the firm manages to combine a high level practice with a collegial and respectful culture,” said Brian Dalton, managing editor at Vault.com.  

On what sets the firm apart, one Ropes & Gray senior tax associate spoke for many of his peers: “There just is no better place to be. The partners are friendly, smart, supportive and a lot of fun to work with. The variety and caliber of the works is also top drawer. I could not be happier.”     

Ropes & Gray also took the top spot for Hours and for Firm Culture with a mid-level associate stating that “The congeniality and cordiality of the people here is what drew me to the firm originally and what makes me want to stay.”  The firm was also No. 1 for Informal Training, with another associate adding, “I have several partners who have clearly made it their job to be mentors. This has been critical to my development, and is something the Ropes leadership encourages.”

Williams & Connolly, which was the No. 2 Best Firm to Work For, was ranked No. 1 when it came to Satisfaction with one law associate stating, “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.”

Survey responders also ranked the firm No. 1 in terms of Associate/Partner Relations, noting, “The partners are a wonderful group for whom to work. They are smart, solicitous of young attorneys' opinions, and willing to give you great work and client exposure.”  Williams & Connolly was also No. 1 for Business Outlook with one litigation associate adding, “Couldn't be busier or more financially strong. We are turning work away.”

Top Ranked Firms in Other Categories Include:

Compensation: Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz (“Even in light of the recession, our compensation continues to exceed peer firms - shows the firm's commitment to rewarding hard work, particularly on the associate level.”)

Office Space:  Fitzpatrick, Cella, Harper & Scinto (“Our new office space is beautiful and recently won a design award. Each associate has their own office and the decor is modern yet comfortable.”)

Formal Training:  Kirkland & Ellis (“Incredible dedication to training of young associates.”)

Pro Bono: Debevoise & Plimpton (“PW's pro bono isn't lip service; it is real and it is valued.”)

Green: Stoel Rives (“Two years ago, the firm removed trash cans from all attorney offices. The firm has an active recycling and composting program; it has also replaced disposable flatware and plates with reusable ones and added dishwashers on multiple floors. The firm provides bike lockers and office wardrobe closets for those who bike. In addition, everyone is offered free annual TriMet passes to encourage individuals to decrease their carbon footprints.”)

View the entire 2011 Vault Law Firm Quality of Life Rankings.

About Vault
Vault is the source for employer and university rankings, ratings and insight for highly credentialed, in-demand candidates.  Vault’s editorial mission is to provide the research required by candidates to evaluate professions, industries, educational pathways, and top companies.  Vault ratings and rankings inform candidates’ analysis of companies and allow direct comparison between potential employers in such high value industries as law, banking, consulting and accounting.  Vault’s customers include Fortune 1000 advertisers and recruiters, the country’s top universities and graduate schools—and 8 million consumers worldwide.


CONTACT:
Jon Minners
jminners@vault.com
646-792-6205