Best Law Firms to Work For

Associates assess their own firms on a range of workplace issues related to career development, job satisfaction, and quality of life. Vault's 2021 Rankings are derived from Vault's Annual Associate Survey conducted between late January 2020 through early April 2020.

Survey Methodology

Which law firms are the best to work for? For some, this is a far more important consideration than prestige. To determine our Best Law Firms to Work For, we used a formula that weighed the most relevant categories for an overall quality of life ranking. Each firm's overall score was calculated using the following formula:

25% satisfaction; 10% firm culture; 10% hours; 10% compensation; 10% quality of work; 5% business outlook; 5% career outlook; 5% associate/partner relations; 5% transparency; 5% formal and informal training; 5% pro bono; 5% overall diversity

Like our Vault Law 100 rankings, our quality of life rankings are meant to reflect the subjective opinions of associates. These rankings are based on perceptions of insiders—some of whom may be biased in favor of (or against) their firms.

Vault's 2021 Rankings are derived from Vault's Annual Associate Survey conducted between late January 2020 through early April 2020.

Take Our Survey

Each year Vault invites eligible law firms to participate in our annual Law Survey. Please contact us if you’re interested in having your firm considered for inclusion.

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2021 Best Law Firms for Business Outlook

SCORE 9.760

2020 Rank 3

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP

With more than 1,355 attorneys across 10 countries, Gibson Dunn & Crutcher is a force. Among the top firms in the country, Gibson Dunn is well known for its litigation and trial work—especially its bustling appellate litigation and...

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SCORE 9.661

2020 Rank 2

Kirkland & Ellis

Kirkland & Ellis, one the world’s most elite law firms, is recognized for its corporate, intellectual property, litigation, M&A, private equity, and restructuring work. With more than 2,700 lawyers, the firm is regularly recognized as...

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SCORE 9.648

2020 Rank 16

O'Melveny & Myers LLP

Long rooted in California—where it maintains a quintet of offices—O’Melveny & Myers has branched out in all directions with offices in seven countries on three continents. The firm is known for its work in antitrust, appellate litigation,...

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SCORE 9.642

2020 Rank 1

Latham & Watkins LLP

Latham is one of the world’s largest law firms, a bona fide member of the clique that includes the Magic Circle and the elite U.S. heritage firms. With more than 2,800 attorneys in 29 offices around the world, Latham practices in all the major...

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SCORE 9.633

2020 Rank 4

Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP

With two centuries under its belt, Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP is one of the nation’s preeminent law firms. Cravath has settled on a lean-and-mean approach to world dominance with two strategically placed offices in New York and London. ...

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SCORE 9.607

2020 Rank 18

Ropes & Gray LLP

With 11 offices across the U.S., Europe, and Asia, Ropes & Gray is an international firm that prides itself in handling cutting-edge work. A regular atop legal industry rankings, the firm is adept at assisting clients in complex, highly...

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SCORE 9.600

2020 Rank 8

Jackson Walker

Jackson Walker is the largest firm contained completely in Texas. The firm has more than 400 attorneys practicing in a broad range of practice areas in seven offices across the Lone Star State: Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, San Angelo,...

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SCORE 9.591

2020 Not Ranked

Lowenstein Sandler LLP

With more than 300 attorneys, Lowenstein Sandler is a full-service firm with five domestic offices. The firm boasts dozens of practices and is particularly well known for its work with investment funds and in the life sciences and technology...

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SCORE 9.588

2020 Rank 26

Clifford Chance US LLP

With 2,500 lawyers across more than 30 offices around the globe, Clifford Chance is a legal behemoth. The firm boasts a growing practice in the U.S. and a global reputation that shines. Brits and Yanks The Modern Clifford Chance was...

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#10

SCORE 9.578

2020 Not Ranked

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

Debevoise & Plimpton ranks as one of New York’s most powerful law firms, representing high-profile clients in transactions and disputes in established and emerging markets around the world. The firm’s core franchise practices include...

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