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At this point, everyone in the legal profession knows we’re an unhappy bunch. But for those with law school loans to service, ditching it all and opening up a scuba shop in the Caribbean isn’t really an option. So, is there any way to find a modicum of happiness or satisfaction and still be a top flight attorney?
Well, the American Lawyer’s annual midlevel satisfaction survey may give you a little direction. They’ve asked third through fifth year associates how satisfied they are with their firm on a variety of different questions: compensation and benefits; training and guidance; relations with partners and other associates; interest in and satisfaction level with the work; the firm’s policy on billable hours; and management’s openness about firm strategies and partnership chances. The resulting list gives a little insight into what it’s really like to practice at some of the best firms in the country.
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Now, let’s get down to the rankings — we all know that’s why you clicked on this article in the first place. The full list is available here, but these are the firms — both Biglaw and some notable boutiques — that make the top 25 in terms of midlevel satisfaction:
- Schulte
- Paul Hastings
- Drinker Biddle
- O’Melveny
- Blank Rome
- Susman Godfrey
- Proskauer Rose
- Gibson Dunn
- Cadwalader
- Kirkland
- Morgan Lewis
- Latham & Watkins
- Eversheds Sutherland
- Cahill
- Akin Gump
- Williams & Connolly
- Thompson & Knight
- Ropes & Gray
- Dechert
- Carlton Fields
- Orrick
- Kramer Levin
- Goulston & Storrs
- Alson & Bird
- Robins Kaplan
Congratulations to all the firms that made the list! And congratulations to the midlevels who have jobs they don’t hate.
The National Report [The American Lawyer]
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Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, and host of The Jabot podcast. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).