Vault 'Quality Of Life' Rankings: The Best Law Firms To Work For In America (2026) - Above the Law
Briefly

The latest Vault rankings reveal a stark contrast between prestige and quality of life in law firms. While traditional rankings favor firms like Cravath for high compensation, they fail to capture associate satisfaction. In the Vault's 2026 survey, none of the top prestigious firms made it to the best workplaces. Notably, O'Melveny & Myers and Morgan Lewis competed closely for the 'Best Overall Law Firm to Work For' title, emphasizing that true firm culture and associate support might outweigh financial perks in ensuring lawyer well-being.
Interestingly, none of the Top 10 firms ranked by prestige made it to the Top 10 list for being the best firms to work for.
The Vault survey revealed a significant shift in associate priorities, showing that prestige does not always correlate with satisfaction and quality of life.
Eric Stutzke from Vault noted a fierce competition between O'Melveny and Morgan Lewis, highlighting their efforts to impress associates in their workplace environment.
The latest rankings prompt a discussion about the balance between compensation numbers and true associate satisfaction in law firms.
Read at Above the Law
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