Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis LLP

Schnader Harrison associates dig the vibe at their firm. "Our firm culture is our best asset," says one litigator. "The people that work here are collegial, caring and helpful." Asked to describe their firm, we heard "laid-back," "friendly," "open," "informal" and "supportive." "People are genuinely nice and caring and really like each other. There are very few egos, even among the top partners who could legitimately claim one," says a first-year. It's an "excellent working environment," says a senior associate. Meanwhile, hours at the firm are considered "not excessive." One source, though, believes there should be a "reduced emphasis on billables." "If I work 14-hour days for a month, I should be able to take off a day without creating an unbearable situation when I return because another 14 hours of work piled up on my desk while I was away."