How did their tech ratings compare to the rest?
Law Firms
These law firms are tops for midlevel associate satisfaction; how were their tech ratings?
September 5, 2024, 12:02 pm CDT
BigLaw’s midlevel associates have spoken. According to the results of the American Lawyer’s Midlevel Associates Survey 2024, O’Melveny & Myers is the top law firm in terms of midlevel associate satisfaction. (Image from Shutterstock)
BigLaw’s midlevel associates have spoken. The top law firm for midlevel associate satisfaction is O’Melveny & Myers, according to results from the American Lawyer’s 2024 Midlevel Associates Survey published by Law.com.
“We’re given a lot of autonomy over our assignments, which means we can take more ownership over the final product and our schedules,” said one O’Melveny associate whose comments were published in another Law.com article. “It’s also a ‘mature’ firm, in that everyone understands, expects, and respects the fact we have lives and obligations beyond the firm.”
O’Melveny was also near the top in the 2024 Midlevel Associate Tech Survey, receiving a No. Law.com ranked O’Melveny No. 2 in the 2024 Midlevel Associate Tech Survey. Indeed, the five firms on top for overall associate satisfaction also had high technology ratings.
The satisfaction and tech surveys were sent to BigLaw associates in their third, fourth and fifth years at 72 firms.
The satisfaction rankings consider 12 factors, including compensation, training and guidance, relationships with colleagues, work satisfaction, billable-hours policies and management transparency.
The top five firms on the midlevel associate satisfaction list, along with their tech rankings, are:
- O’Melveny & Myers, ranked No. The top five firms on the midlevel associate satisfaction list, along with their tech rankings, are:
- O’Melveny & Myers, ranked No. Tech
- Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, ranked no. 3 for tech
- McDermott Will & Emery ranked No. Proskauer rose, ranked No. Baker & Hostetler was ranked No. 9 for overall associate satisfaction.
- Steptoe was in last place for overall associate satisfaction, while Covington & Burling was ranked last for tech.
One Steptoe associate complained about a failure to set expectations and provide constructive feedback. Covington associates complained that its tech is “abysmal” and “is still quite poor for a firm of its size.”
Will Drake, Steptoe’s professional development committee co-chair, told Law.com in a statement that the firm is committed to “cultivating an environment where our associates can thrive.” The firm’s recent efforts included a summer associate retreat, focus groups, one-on-one sessions and a new talent team, he told the publication.
Covington did not respond to Law.com’s request for comment. One associate claimed that the firm blamed its poor performance on a low response rate.
