Even as Biglaw retreats from publicly touting diversity programs and women-focused initiatives amid mounting pressure from the Trump administration and anti-DEI activists, women associates are still paying close attention to which firms actually support them behind the scenes. According to new data from BTI Consulting Group, women associates report job satisfaction levels that are 17% lower than their male colleagues, and unfortunately, the gap is apparently growing.
That said, some firms are actually managing to get it right.
BTI’s latest research identified the firms where women associates say they feel the most supported, developed, and optimistic about their careers. The rankings are based on factors like mentoring, training, career development, growth opportunities, and whether partners are genuinely invested in associates’ success.
Here are the top firms that stood out for women associates in BTI’s latest survey (in alphabetical order):
- Baker Donelson
- Clyde & Co
- Debevoise
- Fenwick & West
- Finnegan
- Fisher Phillips
- Fox Rothschild
- Greenberg Traurig
- Gunderson Dettmer
- Hall & Evans
- Hogan Lovells
- Holland & Knight
- Hunton Andrews Kurth
- Husch Blackwell
- Jones Day
- Katten
- King & Spalding
- Kirkland & Ellis
- Latham & Watkins
- McDermott Will & Schulte
- Milbank
- Simpson Thacher
- Tucker Ellis
- Venable
- Wilson Elser
- Wilson Sonsini
Of course, associate satisfaction has become one of the industry’s hottest recruiting and retention battlegrounds, particularly as younger lawyers place increasing emphasis on mentorship, culture, flexibility, and long-term growth prospects instead of simply chasing the highest possible paycheck.
Frankly, firms should be paying attention to rankings like this. In a market where lateral movement remains rampant and associates are increasingly vocal about burnout, dissatisfaction, and lack of support, being known as a place where women lawyers can actually thrive is more than just good PR — it’s a competitive advantage.
Did your firm make the cut?
New Research – The Law Firms Best for Women Associates [Mad Clientist / BTI Consulting Group]
Staci Zaretsky is the managing editor of Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Bluesky, X/Twitter, and Threads, or connect with her on LinkedIn.
The post The Law Firms Where Women Associates Are Actually Happy (2026) appeared first on Above the Law.
Even as Biglaw retreats from publicly touting diversity programs and women-focused initiatives amid mounting pressure from the Trump administration and anti-DEI activists, women associates are still paying close attention to which firms actually support them behind the scenes. According to new data from BTI Consulting Group, women associates report job satisfaction levels that are 17% lower than their male colleagues, and unfortunately, the gap is apparently growing.
That said, some firms are actually managing to get it right.
BTI’s latest research identified the firms where women associates say they feel the most supported, developed, and optimistic about their careers. The rankings are based on factors like mentoring, training, career development, growth opportunities, and whether partners are genuinely invested in associates’ success.
Here are the top firms that stood out for women associates in BTI’s latest survey (in alphabetical order):
- Baker Donelson
- Clyde & Co
- Debevoise
- Fenwick & West
- Finnegan
- Fisher Phillips
- Fox Rothschild
- Greenberg Traurig
- Gunderson Dettmer
- Hall & Evans
- Hogan Lovells
- Holland & Knight
- Hunton Andrews Kurth
- Husch Blackwell
- Jones Day
- Katten
- King & Spalding
- Kirkland & Ellis
- Latham & Watkins
- McDermott Will & Schulte
- Milbank
- Simpson Thacher
- Tucker Ellis
- Venable
- Wilson Elser
- Wilson Sonsini
Of course, associate satisfaction has become one of the industry’s hottest recruiting and retention battlegrounds, particularly as younger lawyers place increasing emphasis on mentorship, culture, flexibility, and long-term growth prospects instead of simply chasing the highest possible paycheck.
Frankly, firms should be paying attention to rankings like this. In a market where lateral movement remains rampant and associates are increasingly vocal about burnout, dissatisfaction, and lack of support, being known as a place where women lawyers can actually thrive is more than just good PR — it’s a competitive advantage.
Did your firm make the cut?
New Research – The Law Firms Best for Women Associates [Mad Clientist / BTI Consulting Group]
Staci Zaretsky is the managing editor of Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Bluesky, X/Twitter, and Threads, or connect with her on LinkedIn.
The post The Law Firms Where Women Associates Are Actually Happy (2026) appeared first on Above the Law.
