Last week, Vault released the 2025 edition of its closely watched law firm rankings, proving that money — in the form of Cravath’s perennially competitive pay scale — can buy prestige.
But can that money buy happiness?
In a companion ranking to the Vault 100, associates were asked to rank their own law firms based on categories most relevant to their overall quality of life, including satisfaction; firm culture; hours; compensation; quality of work; business outlook; career outlook; associate/partner relations; transparency; formal and informal training; pro bono; and overall inclusion.
Fifty firms were ranked for Vault’s 2026 Best Law Firms to Work For survey, which was conducted from January 2025 through March 2025, so we’re getting a bird’s eye view of life at many of these firms after the latest round of bonuses and special bonuses were first seen in paychecks (and just before Trump’s revenge tour against Biglaw and lawyers writ large). This may be surprising for some, but none of the firms that made the Top 10 list for being the most prestigious made the Top 10 list for being a best firm to work for.
There was a huge amount of movement in the Top 10 this year. Which firms made the cut? Without any further ado, here are the Top 10 Best Law Firms to Work For based on Vault’s Annual Associate Survey for 2026:
1. O’Melveny & Myers (no change)
2. Morgan Lewis & Bockius (no change)
3. Clifford Chance US (no change)
4. McDermott Will & Emery (no change)
5....
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