Best Midsize Law Firms to Work For

Associates at midsize law firms assessed their own firms on a range of workplace issues related to career development, job satisfaction, and quality of life. Vault's 2025 Rankings are derived from Vault's Annual Associate Survey conducted from January 2024 through March 2024.

Survey Methodology

Which midsize law firms are the best to work for? For some, this is a far more important consideration than prestige. To determine our Best Midsize Law Firms to Work For, we used a formula that weighed the most relevant categories for an overall quality of life ranking. Each firm's overall score was calculated using the following formula:

Associates were asked to rate their firms on a 1-to-10 scale for each of several quality of life categories. Each firm's overall score was 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%); Business Outlook (5%); Career Outlook (5%); Associate/Partner Relations (5%); Leadership Transparency (5%); and Formal Training (5%).

Vault's Quality of Life rankings are meant to reflect the subjective opinions of associates. These rankings are based on perceptions of insiders--some of whom may be biased in favor of (or against) their firms.

Vault's 2025 Rankings are derived from Vault's Annual Associate Survey conducted from January 2024 through March 2024.

Take Our Survey

Each year Vault invites eligible law firms to participate in our annual Law Survey. Please contact us if you’re interested in having your firm considered for inclusion.

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2025 Best Midsize Law Firms for Compensation

SCORE 9.733

2024 Rank 3

Irell & Manella LLP

A Southern California powerhouse for 80 years, Irell & Manella matches or exceeds its multinational peers in salary, prestige, and high-stakes cases, serving clients worldwide from just three locations in Los Angeles, Newport Beach, and...

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SCORE 9.654

2024 Rank 2

Susman Godfrey

Since its founding in 1980, Susman Godfrey has established itself as a premiere litigation firm. Susman Godfrey has more than 150 partners and associates across four offices—its original Houston location, Los Angeles, New York, and Seattle. The...

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SCORE 9.550

2024 Rank 12

Wilkinson Stekloff

Wilkinson Stekloff is a leading litigation boutique with offices in Washington, DC and New York City. Since its founding in 2016, the 40-lawyer firm has tried over 20 cases to verdict, stacking up win after win. Small but mighty, the firm...

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SCORE 9.323

2024 Rank 11

Bookoff McAndrews PLLC

Bookoff McAndrews is a DC-based patent law firm focused on non-litigation patent services—including patent counseling and prosecution—for technology companies. In a few years since it opened its doors, BoMc has grown to more than 55 attorneys,...

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SCORE 9.313

2024 Rank 7

Edelson PC

Battling Bullies Edelson takes an innovative approach to bring relief to clients seeking damages against well-financed, high-profile defendants. The firm was established in the image of its founder, Jay Edelson, whose reputation for “battling...

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SCORE 9.115

2024 Rank 1

AZA

AZA is a litigation boutique with attorneys known for trial prowess. With a team of over 50 lawyers, the firm has participated in more than 225 trials. It is a Lone Star State staple, ranking among Vault’s 2025 Best Midsize Law Firms in...

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SCORE 9.077

2024 Not Ranked

Kobre & Kim

Kobre & Kim is a global law firm focused exclusively on international disputes and investigations, often involving allegations of fraud or misconduct. Kobre & Kim has developed a reputation as a go-to firm for complex cross-border...

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SCORE 9.000

2024 Rank 5

Caldwell

A go-to firm for high-growth startups and early-stage technology companies, Caldwell is renowned for its pioneering work in Life Sciences, Technology, Litigation, and Corporate practices with a mighty roster of accomplished attorneys, patent...

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SCORE 8.857

2024 Rank 6

Desmarais LLP

In 2010, John Desmarais left a successful patent litigation practice with Kirkland & Ellis to hang a shingle with some of his former Kirkland colleagues. The result was Desmarais LLP, now a successful and expanding midsize law firm focused...

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#10

SCORE 8.818

2024 Rank 15

Lightfoot, Franklin & White LLC

THE SCOOP With just over 60 attorneys, Lightfoot, Franklin & White is a litigation boutique with roots in Alabama but a strong reach across the U.S. Over the past 31 years, the firm’s lawyers have spent more than 4,400 days at trial. A...

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