Law Firm Rankings by Diversity and Representation

These rankings compare law firms based on the diversity of their workforce, exploring accessibility and empowerment for traditionally underrepresented demographic groups such as women, ethnic and racial minorities, LGBTQ individuals, veterans, and people with disabilities. While most of these surveys primarily measure representation (such as the number of women promoted to partner), the industry increasingly recognizes the importance of other variables (such as the availability of mentors or the inclusiveness of firm culture) in shaping the experience and career trajectory of diverse attorneys.

Rankings were classified in this category if they focused on indicators of diversity, equity, and inclusion for a particular special interest or demographic group.

Featured

Diversity Scorecard

What 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

Human Rights Campaign Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality

What It Is: This is a list of all the companies and law firms that earned 100% on HRC's Corporate Equality Index (CEI) sorted by industry.

Why It Matters To You: The CEI rates companies and top law firms on detailed criteria falling under five broad categories non-discrimination policies, employment benefits, demonstrated organizational competency and accountability around LGBTQ diversity and inclusion, public commitment to LGBTQ equality, responsible citizenship. Both publicly available and self-reported data is evaluated.

Considerations: Participation in the index is voluntary. Companies and law firms evaluated are gathered through Fortune magazine's 1000 largest publicly traded businesses and American Lawyer magazine's top 200 revenue-grossing law firms. In addition, any private-sector for-profit employer with 500 or more full-time employees can request to participate. It is important to note that law firms have only been included in the ranking since 2006.

Created By: Human Rights Campaign

Law360 Glass Ceiling Report

What It Is: These rankings highlight the ways women's representation has advanced (or not) among the nation's top law firms.

Why It Matters To You: Rankings are available for best firms for female attorneys and female equity partners as well as analysis of trends within the world of law firms.

Considerations: There is not an overall ranking for women's representation, but rather specific rankings for certain markers such as headcount. Rankings also don't measure other measures of diversity, which may provide a fuller picture. Firms are grouped within the rankings by headcount.

Created By: Law360

Law360 Law Firm Diversity Snapshot

What It Is: These rankings highlight the ways diversity has advanced (or not) among the nation's top law firms.

Why It Matters To You: Rankings are available for best firms for minority attorneys and minority equity partners as well as analysis of trends within the world of law firms.

Considerations: There is not an overall ranking for diversity, but rather specific rankings for certain markers such as headcount. Rankings also don't measure other measures of diversity, which may provide a fuller picture. Firms are grouped within the rankings by headcount.

Created By: Law360

Vault Best Law Firms for Diversity

What It Is: This ranking is based on each firm associates’ ranking of how the firm does at creating, maintaining, and fostering a diverse workforce.

Why It Matters To You: Associates rate their own firms on how effective they are at fostering a diverse working environment.

Considerations: The ranking includes separate categories for diversity as it relates to minorities, women, LGBT individuals, individuals with disabilities, and military veterans. The formula weighs the five categories evenly for their overall ranking.

Created By: Vault

Vault Best Midsize Law Firms to Work For

What It Is: This is a ranking of the leading midsize firms based on what associates say their work life is really like.

Why It Matters To You: Easily sortable by a variety of factors ranging from an overall ranking to rankings based on compensation, diversity, firm culture, hours, quality of work, and satisfaction.

Considerations: Associates are asked to rank their own firm on a 1-to-10 scale for each of several quality of life categories. Since these rankings are based on perceptions of attorneys who work at each for each firm, it is important to note that some of them may be biased in favor (or against) their firms.

Created by: Vault