Which law firms scored highest in summer associate surveys? And which had memorable events?

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Which law firms scored highest in summer associate surveys? And which had memorable events?

By Debra Cassens Weiss

September 27, 2024, 9:19 am CDT

The law firm with a No. 1 ranking by summer associates is either Dentons or Paul Hastings, according to surveys by Law.com and Law360 Pulse.

There was just one overlap in the top 10 rankings: Morgan, Lewis & Bockius was ranked third in both surveys. In fairness, however, the two rankings measured different criteria.

Summer associates were well-compensated, with average weekly pay of $4,543, according to the Law.com report on the American Lawyer survey. Associates also valued access to meaningful work and mentorship in their positions—even more than fun outings offered by the firms. Those kinds of positive experiences were also reported by associates responding to the Law360 Pulse survey.

But summer associates told of many memorable events. Summer associates responding to the American Lawyer’s survey reported parties on a yacht and in the Hamptons (Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton), an exclusive outing at the Central Park Zoo (Cravath, Swaine & Moore), an exclusive visit to the Museum of Modern Art (Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison), a trip to see Hamilton in orchestra seats (Simpson Thacher & Bartlett), visits to the Tony Awards and the NBA draft (Proskauer Rose), and tickets to a Dallas Mavericks game in conference finals (Weil, Gotshal & Manges). The Law360 Pulse survey also mentioned a trip to Disneyland.

There were also events with a personal touch, including a visit to see a partner’s cover band and a party at a partner’s home, according to Law.com. An event with an Olympics theme included baguette fencing and legal textbook shot put.

The American Lawyer’s survey of 3,077 associates at 71 firms asked associates to rate their satisfaction on a five-point scale.

The top 10 firms for associate satisfaction were:

1. Paul Hastings (rated by 37 respondents)

2. Clifford Chance (35 respondents)

3. Morgan, Lewis & Bockius (103 respondents)

4. Baker McKenzie (17 respondents)

5. Duane Morris (26 respondents)

6. A&O Shearman (55 respondents)

7. Fenwick & West (19 respondents)

8. Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft (13 respondents)

9. Proskauer Rose (58 respondents)

10. Blank Rome (24 respondents)

Law360 Pulse’s survey had responses from 583 summer associates. The publication ranked firms based on four program areas: confidence-building, networking and mentorship, compensation and fun programming. Firms without five respondents weren’t included.

Law360 Pulse’s top 10 firms were:

1. Dentons (rated by 5 respondents)

2. Norton Rose Fulbright (8 respondents)

3. Morgan, Lewis & Bockius (30 respondents)

4. Weil, Gotshal & Manges (53 respondents)

5. King & Spalding (22 respondents)

6. Eversheds Sutherland (14 respondents)

7. Holland & Knight (25 respondents)

8. DLA Piper (34 respondents)

9. Kirkland & Ellis (11 respondents)

10. Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton (34 respondents)