What It Is: Annual list of firms with at least one significant appellate win and that had an impressive track record overall.
Why It Matters To You: Shows you which law firms are on fire that year.
Considerations: The methodology isn’t objective and only about 20 firms receive the honor each year. Thus, repeated appearances on surveys are more important than single appearances.
Created By: The American Lawyer
Read MoreWhat It Is: Tracks the transactional practices of leading firms.
Why It Matters To You: For those interested in pursuing corporate or transactional law, this survey can give you a sense of the leading law firms in particular areas of corporate law.
Considerations: This survey only tracks public data. Searchable via practice areas which include IPOs/equities, M&A, private equity, project finance, corporate debt, securities, municipal bonds, EITS, and bankruptcy.
Created By: The American Lawyer
Read MoreWhat It Is: Annual law firm survey to measure the number of minority lawyers at the nation’s law firms.
Why It Matters To You: This survey lets you know what progress law firms are making in terms of hiring.
Considerations: Retention and satisfaction of these minority attorneys might not be reflected in the sheer numbers.
Created By: The American Lawyer
Read MoreWhat It Is: Annual survey of thousands of 3rd, 4th, and 5th year associates at 100-150 law firms nationwide.
Why It Matters To You: This survey gives a good sense of what it’s really like at these law firms, including quality of work, firm culture, and training. You’ll learn about whether these firms will help you develop critical skills necessary to advance your career, whether there are opportunities for advancement, and much more.
Considerations: The survey is an opportunity to vent anonymously. Dissatisfied associates might be more likely to complete these surveys than satisfied associates.
Created By: The American Lawyer
Read MoreWhat It Is: List of midsized law firms recognized for excellence.
Why It Matters To You: Unlike other listings, the Midsize Hot List puts the spotlight on outstanding law firms with 50+ lawyers.
Considerations: The methodology isn’t objective and only about 20 firms receive the honor each year.
Created By: The American Lawyer
Read MoreWhat It Is: Annual survey of thousands of summer associates at 100-150 law firms nationwide.
Why It Matters To You: This ranking depends on a survey of fellow summer associates.They can give you a view of the day-to-day experience at these law firms, especially comparing that experience to the information they received through promotional literature, NALP, and interviews. How does the actual experience compare to what they were told to expect?
Considerations: Happy summer associates do not necessarily become happy associates. These programs are recruiting tools; law firms try to make a good impression. Additionally, some summer associates don’t yet have a broad context for their experiences. Some opinions may be based on limited knowledge of how law firms work and what it means to be an employee in a formal office setting. But these opinions may also give insight into the sometimes difficult transition from law student to lawyer.
Created By: The American Lawyer
Read MoreWhat It Is: Annual law firm survey promoted as the “decathlon for law firms.”
Why It Matters To You: Unlike other listings, the A-List is intended as a more all-around measure, that takes into account financial performance, but also associate satisfaction, diversity, pro bono efforts, and more.
Considerations: Because of the large number of factors considered, it may be more difficult for law firms to deliberately influence their rankings.
Created By: The American Lawyer
Read MoreWhat It Is: Top 100 performers from annual survey of law firms nationwide, with focus on key financial metrics: gross revenue, revenue per lawyer, and profits per partner. Separate rankings are available for each metric, as well as an overall performer ranking.
Why It Matters To You: In addition to showing individual firms’ rise and fall, the Am Law 100 reveals many trends in law firm performance that have direct and indirect impact on legal hiring, compensation, and opportunities for advancement.
Considerations: Law firms are very aware of this ranking, and do what they can to influence their data. Some industry insiders have questioned whether such focus on these four financial metrics (which have changed the business of law) is healthy for law firms or for the legal industry.
Created By: American Lawyer
Read MoreWhat It Is: The second tier of top performers from annual survey of law firms nationwide, with focus on key financial metrics: gross revenue, revenue per lawyer, and profits per partner. Separate rankings are available for each metric, as well as an overall performance ranking.
Why It Matters To You: While the Am Law 100 focuses on nationwide firms, the Am Law 200 gives numbers on many regional powerhouses. These are often up-and-coming law firms that may reach the Am Law 100, become merger or acquisition targets, or remain regional players. In addition to showing individual firms’ rise and fall, the Am Law 200 reveals many trends in law firm performance that have direct and indirect impact on legal hiring, compensation, and opportunities for advancement.
Considerations: Again, law firms are very aware of this ranking, and do what they can to influence their data. Some industry insiders have questioned whether such focus on these four financial metrics (which have changed the business of law) is healthy for law firms or for the legal industry.
Created By: The American Lawyer
Read MoreWhat It Is: Worldwide annual survey of law firms, with focus on key financial metrics: gross revenue, revenue per lawyer, and profits per partner. Separate rankings are available for each metric, as well as an overall performance ranking.
Why It Matters To You: Like many other businesses, law firms are becoming more global. The Global 100 reveals many trends in law firm performance that have direct and indirect impact on legal hiring, compensation, and opportunities for advancement.
Considerations: Again, law firms are very aware of this ranking, and do what they can to influence their data. Some industry insiders have questioned whether such focus on these four financial metrics (which have changed the business of law) is healthy for law firms or for the legal industry.
Created By: The American Lawyer
Read MoreWhat It Is: Annual survey of the nation’s largest law firms.
Why It Matters To You: In addition to showing individual firms’ rise and fall, the ranking reveals many trends in law firm performance that have direct and indirect impact on legal hiring, compensation, and opportunities for advancement.
Considerations: This survey only considers size, measured by average number of full-time equivalent attorneys.
Created By: The American Lawyer
Read MoreWhat It Is: An annual firm-by-firm look at the percentage of women elected partner at Am Law 100 and 200 firms.
Why It Matters To You: This survey lets you know what progress law firms are making in terms of gender equity in hiring.
Considerations: Retention and satisfaction of these women partners might not be reflected in the sheer numbers. The survey was retired in 2014.
Created By: The American Lawyer
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