Introducing Vault Law's 2022 Best Midsize Law Firms to Work For!
Published: Aug 04, 2021
Vault's 2022 rankings of the 25 Best Midsize Law Firms to Work For are here, and Bookoff McAndrews PLLC has reclaimed the No. 1 spot after dropping to No. 3 in the 2021 rankings. The patent law firm earned a score of 9.199—the only firm to earn an overall score above a 9.00.
This year’s Best Midsize Law Firms to Work For saw three new firms in the top 10—Durie Tangri LLP, Tonkon Torp LLP, and Buckley LLP—along with some reshuffling, including a seven-spot jump for Fitch, Even, Tabin & Flannery LLP from No. 10 to No. 3.
Vault’s 2022 top 10 Best Midsize Law Firms to Work For are:
- Bookoff McAndrews PLLC
- Durie Tangri LLP
- Fitch, Even, Tabin & Flannery LLP
- Farella Braun + Martel LLP
- Tonkon Torp LLP
- Buckley LLP
- Susman Godfrey LLP
- Stotler Hayes Group, LLC
- Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson, P.A.
- Smyser Kaplan & Veselka, L.L.P.
In addition to clinching the No. 1 spot overall, Bookoff McAndrews claimed the top spot in four quality of life rankings: Diversity, Firm Culture (tied with Greenberg Glusker Fields Claman & Machtinger LLP), Quality of Work, and Satisfaction.
“Bookoff McAndrews took the lead in a number of categories this year, which helped the firm reclaim its No. 1 spot overall,” said Shelley Awe, Vault’s Law Editor. “Associates at the firm raved about the positive culture the firm has worked hard to maintain during the pandemic, opportunities for early responsibility, strong mentorship, and a solid commitment to diversity—among other factors.”
Overall Best Midsize Firms to Work For Methodology
The Best Midsize Firms to Work For rankings are derived from Vault’s Law Firm Associate Survey, in which associates at midsize firms rated and commented on various aspects of their work life. The rankings were calculated using a formula that weighs associate ratings in 11 different areas: Overall Satisfaction (25%); Firm Culture (10%); Hours (10%); Compensation (10%); Quality of Work (10%); Informal Training, Mentoring & Sponsorship (10%); Associate/Partner Relations (5%); Business Outlook (5%); Career Outlook (5%); and Formal Training (5%); and Transparency (5%).
Vault Adds Two New Quality of Life Categories to the Midsize Rankings
Vault introduced two new quality of life rankings for 2022—Formal Training and Informal Training, Mentoring, & Sponsorship—resulting in a total of 15 midsize quality of life rankings in addition to the Overall Best Midsize Law Firms to Work For ranking.
“Whether training is prioritized is an important consideration for associates seeking employment at a midsize firm,” said Awe. “At smaller firms, leaner staffing naturally lends itself to on-the-job training for junior associates, but providing ways for them to continue learning and developing skills beyond the day-to-day is important for career development. We saw that associates value formal onboarding programs, mentorship and the ability to form organic relationships, and regularly offered CLEs and other tailored programs as they move up the ranks.”
In both of these new categories, Stotler Hayes Group, LLC came in strong at No. 1. Kobre & Kim LLP took No. 2 in the Formal Training ranking, and Bookoff McAndrews PLLC snagged the No. 2 spot for Informal Training, Mentoring, & Sponsorship.
Two New Firms Claim Gold in Quality of Life Rankings
Several firms made their mark at the top of this year’s quality of life rankings. Two new firms broke into the rankings for the first time, clinching No. 1 spots right out of the gate—Durie Tangri LLP for Associate/Partner Relations and Technology & Innovation (in which the firm tied with Fitch, Even, Tabin & Flannery LLP), and McNeill Baur PLLC for Hours. The rankings also saw shakeups at No. 1 in the Diversity, Firm Culture, Satisfaction, and Pro Bono categories.
Meanwhile, Susman Godfrey held strong at the top for Career Outlook, Compensation, Selectivity, and Transparency; Greenberg Glusker Fields Claman & Machtinger LLP maintained its No. 1 ranking for Wellness; and Bookoff McAndrews held onto its No. 1 ranking for Quality of Work.
All of the No. 1 firms in Vault’s Quality of Life rankings are:
- Bookoff McAndrews PLLC: Diversity, Firm Culture (Tie), Quality of Work, Satisfaction
- Durie Tangri: Associate/Partner Relations, Technology & Innovation (Tie)
- Greenberg Glusker Fields Claman & Machtinger LLP: Firm Culture (Tie), Wellness
- Fitch, Even, Tabin & Flannery LLP: Technology & Innovation (Tie)
- McNeill Baur PLLC: Hours
- Stotler Hayes Group, LLC: Formal Training; Informal Training, Mentoring & Sponsorship
- Susman Godfrey: Career Outlook, Compensation, Selectivity, Transparency
- Tonkon Torp LLP: Pro Bono
Five Firms Join Vault Law’s Top 150 Under 150 List
Vault Law has also released its new Top 150 Under 150 list—Vault’s collection of the leading small and midsized firms in the U.S. with 150 or fewer attorneys.
New to the Top 150 Under 150 this year are:
In determining the Top 150 Under 150, Vault first developed a list of the best-known and most sought-after U.S. firms with fewer than 150 attorneys. Our editorial and research teams pored through Vault survey data, news stories, trade journals, and other legal publications; spoke with lawyers in the field; and reviewed other published rankings. Vault editors also assessed each firm for prestige, quality of life, and professional growth opportunities. Then we narrowed the results to produce a list of 150 law firms known for providing top-notch service and delivering big results.
To view the complete Top 150 Under 150 list, click here.
About Vault Law
Vault Law, an Infobase company, is the most comprehensive and trusted resource for law students and laterals to research law firms. Vault Law’s law firm rankings and profiles deliver the insider perspective and essential information candidates need to make successful career decisions. Each year, Vault Law surveys thousands of associates to understand what life is like for attorneys at the nation’s top law firms. Vault Law ranks law firms by prestige, region, and practice area as well as top firms for quality of life using its annual survey results. Additionally, Vault Law publishes other valued resources including the Vault Guide to Summer Associate Programs and Interviewing, Practice Perspectives: Vault’s Guide to Legal Practice Areas, and Law Firm Diversity Profiles. Through Vault’s law school platform, thousands of students from nearly 100 partnering law schools across the country have unlimited access to this critical information.
Questions? Contact Shelley Awe, Vault Law Editor—sawe@vault.com