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.
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2025 Best Midsize Law Firms for Wellness
Bookoff McAndrews PLLC
Based in Washington, DC, Bookoff McAndrews focuses on patent counseling and prosecution for technology companies. Founded in 2012, this patent boutique has been recognized by Chambers and Forbes, among others, for its stellar work as a top intellectual property firm. BoMc is committed to DEI, celebrates the outside interests of its attorneys, and embraces work-life balance as much as possible in a busy practice; this is evident in its high positions in multiple Best Midsize Law Firms to Work For rankings.
SCORE 9.267
2024 Ranking
#8
Stotler Hayes Group LLC
Stotler Hayes is a midsized law firm with a national presence. It has an exclusive clientele of healthcare providers, including long-term care providers such as nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, and sub-acute hospitals. The firm has a collaborative culture, billing and compensation policies that support work-life balance, and over a decade of experience succeeding as a fully remote attorney team.
SCORE 9.100
2024 Ranking
#3
Greenberg Glusker LLP
Greenberg Glusker is a hundred-plus attorney firm operating from a single office in Los Angeles. The firm is particularly known for its work in the entertainment space, with other prominent practices in real estate and environmental law. Associates here praise the firm’s culture and work-life balance. The firm has a unique mentoring program, with the associate mentors nicknamed “big siblings” who work to ensure associates’ professional development.
SCORE 9.095
2024 Ranking
#2
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 agents, and technical specialists. The firm works across offices and departments to provide a holistic, multidisciplinary approach that equates to success for their clients. Caldwell is known for its innovative work with Life Sciences and Technology companies.
SCORE 8.813
2024 Ranking
#4
Harrity & Harrity LLP
Harrity & Harrity is a patent firm that focuses on electrical and mechanical technologies. The firm services many high-profile clients, including Fortune 500 companies, and it takes pride in serving its clients for the long haul. Harrity’s patent attorneys have experience in a broad range of industries, from aerospace to health care to financial services and more. Associates experience great work-life balance here, as the firm operates on a production-based compensation system rather than the billable hour.
SCORE 8.769
2024 Ranking
#1
Adam Leitman Bailey, P.C.
Adam Leitman Bailey is a top New York real estate firm that is still managed by its founder and is home to approximately two dozen attorneys. The firm is known for the stellar litigation skills of its lawyers and their ability to get a deal done. Clients range from individuals to cooperatives and from condos to developers. A cherished rite of passage for first-year associates is the gift of a new suit when they pass the bar.
SCORE 8.700
2024 Ranking
#Not Ranked
McNeill PLLC
McNeill is the ultimate haven for patent attorneys seeking maximum flexibility. The firm is fully remote and allows attorneys to set their own billable-hours goal, which results in associates who are very pleased with their work-life balance. And while the firm prioritizes the needs of attorneys and staff, it certainly isn’t lacking in the quality of work and caliber of clients served. The firm is well regarded for its IP work, even despite its relatively young age.
SCORE 8.625
2024 Ranking
#6
Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP
Neal Gerber serves clients from a single office in Chicago, with practices in intlellectual property, litigation, business, and private wealth. The firm has a diverse client base, with a few notable examples including AOL, Beats Electronics, Citigroup, Hyatt, Illinois Tool Works, Match.com, Northern Trust, Polaroid, and United HealthCare. When they aren't working on billable matters, the firm's attorneys are proud to dedicate time to pro bono and community service throughout the Second City.
SCORE 8.455
2024 Ranking
#13
Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson, P.A.
Robinson Bradshaw is a growing firm of more than 170 attorneys, with four offices operating in and around North Carolina. Prospective associates are expected to work primarily from one of the firm’s offices, but those who do have a strong chance of making partner so long as they stick around (and that is what they want for their career). With no billable-hour requirement and with lockstep compensation, it’s no wonder Robinson Bradshaw stands out in career outlook, hours, satisfaction, associate/partner relations, and firm culture.
SCORE 8.364
2024 Ranking
#7
Farella Braun + Martel LLP
Founded in the Bay Area in 1962 with three attorneys, Farella Braun + Martel LLP is now a midsize firm and home to over 120 attorneys. It enjoys a solid reputation for corporate transactions and complex commercial litigation, particularly impressive credentials in the renewable energy industry, and—uniquely—a wine industry team in [its] Napa Valley office serving vintners and distributors. The firm has been nationally recognized by The Best Lawyers in America, Chambers, Law360, and Benchmark Litigation.
SCORE 8.050
2024 Ranking
#9
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 focuses on winning high-stakes trials while actively encouraging its attorneys to take on pro bono matters. Notably, Wilkinson Stekloff eschews the traditional billable model, both in terms of client fee arrangements and attorney timekeeping at the firm, which is appreciated by all parties.
SCORE 7.750
2024 Ranking
#10
Tonkon Torp LLP
The reach of Oregon-based firm Tonkon Torp extends far beyond its home state. The firm has represented some of the largest and most influential companies in the world, including Portland General Electric, sneaker giant Nike, and real estate mammoth Blackstone. Attorneys at Tonkon Torp cover a full range of practice areas, including bankruptcy, corporate, cannabis, employment, environmental, intellectual property, litigation, real estate, and tax. Best Lawyers in America® named six Tonkon attorneys as 2019 Portland Lawyers of the Year.
SCORE 7.733
2024 Ranking
#11
Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila LLP
Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila brings its trial and transactional expertise to clients from coast to coast, with offices in Chicago, San Francisco, New York, Ann Arbor, and Los Angeles/Irvine. Whether for an individual or Fortune 500 client, the firm handily navigates disputes and deals across a variety of industries—including health care and life sciences, financial services and asset management, telecommunications and technology, and many more.
SCORE 7.714
2024 Ranking
#14
DTO Law
A tech savvy boutique firm that can compete with any BigLaw firm for any project, anywhere in the United States.
SCORE 7.667
2024 Ranking
#Not Ranked
Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox PLLC
DC-based Sterne Kessler Goldstein & Fox is a top IP boutique, home to approximately 150 attorneys focused on the protection, transfer, and enforcement of intellectual property rights. The firm has led the way in litigating cases before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board since PTAB’s 2012 creation. SKGF is also home to an Intellectual Property and Human Rights Pro Bono Practice—the first of its kind—which focuses on the interplay of intellectual property principles and human rights.
SCORE 7.615
2024 Ranking
#18
Morrison Cohen LLP
Founded in 1984, Morrison Cohen’s 125-plus lawyers operate out of a single office in midtown Manhattan. Known for their corporate work in particular, Morrison Cohen also has highly respected labor & employment and business litigation practices. Morrison Cohen makes our list of the Best Midsize Firms in New York, Best Midsize Firms for Diversity, and the National Law Journal’s Midsize Hot List.
SCORE 7.600
2024 Ranking
#17
Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig PLLC
Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig is a veteran-owned law firm with outcome-focused attorneys advising and representing clients in national and international legal matters.
SCORE 7.583
2024 Ranking
#Not Ranked
Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP
Operating out of two offices in Massachusetts, Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP is a northeast staple. A full-service, midsize firm, Nutter has around 150 lawyers working across a dozen industries. Lawyers at Nutter bring a host of experience in such areas as corporate, IP, labor and employment, litigation, privacy and data security, private client, public policy, real estate, and tax. The firm’s catch phrase is enough to set it apart from the competition: “uncommon law.”
SCORE 7.565
2024 Ranking
#21
Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP
From its single office in Delaware, Morris Nichols Arsht & Tunnell represents clients nationwide in corporate, commercial, intellectual property, and bankruptcy matters. The firm remains local to Delaware clients with its practices in bankruptcy; general business; trusts, estate, and tax planning; and real estate. Though its geographic span is small, Morris Nichols has a pro bono practice that runs deep in its local community. The firm supports numerous Delaware organizations including Delaware Volunteer Legal Services, Delaware Special Olympics, and Goodwill of Delaware.
SCORE 7.560
2024 Ranking
#Not Ranked
Cohen & Gresser LLP
With offices in DC and New York, plus internationally in London and Paris, Cohen & Gresser is a midsize firm with an international reach. Keep your eyes on this firm if you’re interested in white collar work—it has a strong reputation in this area. The firm’s experience includes conducting internal investigations, handling regulatory investigations and proceedings, and counseling on white collar criminal matters. The firm is also recognized for its securities litigation work and bustling litigation practice.
SCORE 7.545
2024 Ranking
#Not Ranked
The Cavanagh Law Firm, PA
The Cavanagh Law Firm takes pride in maintaining the same principles upon which it was founded more than 20 years ago: hard work, quality, integrity, and superior client service. With two offices in Arizona and at about 30 attorneys strong, the firm provides legal services in dozens of practice areas, including commercial litigation and ADR, labor and employment, health care, insurance defense, family law, tax law, and more.
SCORE 7.400
2024 Ranking
#Not Ranked
Lightfoot, Franklin & White LLC
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 30 years, the firm’s lawyers have spent more than 4,400 days at trial. Lightfoot encourages its attorneys to gain broad experience. Attorneys embrace a specialization, while also gaining broader experience across areas. The firm notes that this approach makes it more “nimble” and better able to serve its clients’ ever-changing needs.
SCORE 7.273
2024 Ranking
#Not Ranked
Hooper, Lundy & Bookman PC
Hooper Lundy is the largest firm in the country dedicated exclusively to representing healthcare clients. The firm is well-suited for associates who thrive in a team-oriented culture and want early hands-on experience under the guidance of dedicated mentors. The firm is also a certified provider of continuing legal education and provides in-house legal training on healthcare issues that is not available to the general bar.
SCORE 7.267
2024 Ranking
#Not Ranked
Michelman & Robinson, LLP
With nearly 80 attorneys across seven offices—three in California, one in New York City, one in Chicago, and two in Texas—Michelman & Robinson, LLP represents clients from an array of industries. The firm is especially well known for its work in the insurance industry, but also excels in advertising & digital media, banking & finance, hospitality, energy, and music & entertainment, and has had an impressive string of significant victories as of late. The firm puts a premium on training and offers education for both professionals and attorneys through its “M&R University.”
SCORE 7.194
2024 Ranking
#5
Wolf, Greenfield & Sacks, P.C.
Wolf Greenfield is an IP-focused midsize firm based in Boston, with additional offices in New York and Washington, DC. The firm covers all aspects of IP, from patent prosecution through post-grant proceedings at the Patent Office, International Trade Commission litigation, and litigation before all levels of the federal courts. Most attorneys at the firm have degrees from multiple educational fields, with almost all having backgrounds in engineering or science and over half having worked in those fields before coming to the law.
SCORE 7.154
2024 Ranking
#23
