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 Formal Training
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 9.250
2024 Ranking
#1
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 8.500
2024 Ranking
#4
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 8.400
2024 Ranking
#11
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 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 8.323
2024 Ranking
#10
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 8.225
2024 Ranking
#2
Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell LLP
Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell is a litigation boutique known for going to trial nationwide and winning on behalf of its high-profile clients in industries including manufacturing, telecommunications, energy, and services. Associates feel valued and enjoy being able to tackle substantive work from the start in the firm’s collegial, social environment. The firm and its attorneys have been recognized by the likes of U.S. News—Best Lawyers, Chambers USA, The Best Lawyers in America, and The National Law Journal.
SCORE 8.222
2024 Ranking
#19
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 8.182
2024 Ranking
#5
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 8.045
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 7.826
2024 Ranking
#18
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 7.824
2024 Ranking
#8
Kobre & Kim
A global litigation firm founded in 2003 by two former U.S. Department of Justice prosecutors, Kobre & Kim is now home to more than 120 attorneys worldwide. It is a go-to firm for complex cross-border dispute resolution. Uniquely, the firm generally avoids repeat client relationships—and the associated conflicts of interest—and thus is often engaged by other law firms to act as special litigation counsel to handle trial work in complex disputes.
SCORE 7.786
2024 Ranking
#Not Ranked
Adler & Stachenfeld LLP
Over 25 years, Adler & Stachenfeld LLP has grown from nothing at all to become one of the top real estate law practices in New York City.
SCORE 7.714
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 7.654
2024 Ranking
#15
Desmarais LLP
Founded in 2010 by former Kirkland & Ellis attorney John Desmarais, Desmarais LLP focuses primarily on trial and appellate-level intellectual property litigation, including matters involving patent infringement, counterfeiting, trademark, and trade dress, and the firm handles both plaintiff and defense cases. Clients range from Fortune 100 companies to individuals and include major names such as Apple, IBM, Enzo Biochem, and GSK. Desmarais eschews the traditional billable hour model; the firm works with clients to set fee arrangements that best fit a client’s needs.
SCORE 7.571
2024 Ranking
#6
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 7.550
2024 Ranking
#Not Ranked
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 7.500
2024 Ranking
#9
Carter Ledyard & Milburn LLP
Carter Ledyard & Milburn LLP has been part of the New York City legal scene since 1854 and counts Franklin D. Roosevelt as a firm alumnus. Although many of its legal projects involve its home city, the firm offers many types of legal counsel to international companies wishing to do business in the United States. The firm advises clients ranging from financial institutions and medical and biotech companies to alternative energy companies and, high-net-worth individuals and families.
SCORE 7.462
2024 Ranking
#20
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 7.300
2024 Ranking
#Not Ranked
Irell & Manella LLP
Irell & Manella has been around since 1941 and has resisted any temptation to engage in outrageous expansion efforts, so that it has maintained a small to midsize firm feel. The firm has only three offices—two in Southern California and one in Washington, D.C.—and only 70 attorneys, and does exemplary work in the areas of intellectual property litigation and general business litigation.
SCORE 7.286
2024 Ranking
#Not Ranked
Downey Brand
With attorneys licensed in California and Nevada, Downey Brand serves the region’s clients in a number of practice areas and industries. Those seeking advice on environmental law rely on the firm’s prominent Natural Resources Group, which works on air quality, environmental enforcement defense, environmental remediation, land use, and water law. The firm also serves as outside general counsel for many of Northern California’s leading companies, including privately held and family-owned entities, nonprofits, and publicly traded companies.
SCORE 7.100
2024 Ranking
#7
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 7.067
2024 Ranking
#17
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 7.000
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 6.903
2024 Ranking
#12
Banner & Witcoff, Ltd.
Windy City-based Banner Witcoff is a top IP boutique that offers a friendly, open-door culture. It also boasts a strong pro bono practice, which has included work on numerous amicus briefs related to novel IP issues. With its reputation as a firm that has helped shape IP law, including through work on groundbreaking Supreme Court cases, the Banner Witcoff name certainly carries a lot of weight in the IP world.
SCORE 6.769
2024 Ranking
#Not Ranked
MoloLamken LLP
In 15 years of existence and with fewer than 50 attorneys, MoloLamken has quickly made a name for itself among the heavy hitters of boutique litigation shops. With offices in three of the country’s major metropolises—New York, Chicago, and Washington, DC—MoloLamken’s attorneys focus on complex business litigation, white collar criminal defense, and intellectual property. MoloLamken only hires laterally, putting a premium on experience when it comes to handling the high-stakes, complicated cases the firm takes on.
SCORE 6.765
2024 Ranking
#23
