Over the course of the past month, Vault has rolled out a variety of law firm rankings — from the firms that are the most prestigious to the firms that offer the best quality of life to the firms with the top-ranked practice areas in their region — and there’s yet another important one that we’ll dive into today.
Money can buy prestige and can certainly improve your quality of life, but the diversity of your colleagues is worth more than what any Biglaw salary scale can pay.
In a companion ranking to the Vault 100, associates were asked to rank their own law firms based on categories most relevant to how the firm does at creating, maintaining, and fostering a diverse workforce, including racial and ethnic diversity, as well as diversity related to women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and individuals with disabilities. To create the overall Best 30 Firms for Diversity ranking, Vault averages the scores from all four ratings.
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There was a huge amount of movement in the Top 10 this year. Which firms made the cut? Without any further ado, here are the Top 10 Best Law Firms for Diversity based on Vault’s Annual Associate Survey for 2024:
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- Clifford Chance US
- O’Melveny & Myers
- Morgan Lewis
- BakerHostetler
- Orrick
- McDermott Will & Emery
- Littler Mendelson
- Proskauer Rose
- Ropes & Gray
- Robinson + Cole
It’s worth noting that like almost all the Best Firms to Work For categories, Clifford Chance swept Vault’s diversity rankings. Here are some kind words from an associate on Clifford Chance’s work to improve diversity, inside and outside of the firm:
There were new No. 1s in each of the Diversity Rankings, with Clifford Chance claiming the top spot in Overall Diversity, Diversity for Women, Diversity for LGBTQ+ Individuals, and Diversity for Individuals with Disabilities. As one Clifford Chance associate said, “The firm is shockingly proactive and enthusiastic about diversity—I am a diverse individual and a natural Scrooge about these initiatives, but they have won me over. Lawyers participate, programs are sponsored, and affinity groups are active.”
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Congratulations to each of the Biglaw firms that made the latest edition of the Vault Best Firms for Diversity rankings, and a huge congratulations to Clifford Chance for yet another rankings sweep. How did your firm do? Email us, text us at (646) 820-8477, or tweet us @atlblog to let us know.
Best Law Firms for Diversity [Vault]
Announcing the Vault Law 2024 Best Law Firms to Work For, Best Law Firms for Diversity, and Best Summer Associate Program Rankings [Vault]
Staci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.