When it comes to running a well-rounded law firm, leaders can't treat issues such as profitability, diversity and pro bono individually. To be their best, they have to think and operate holistically.

The American Lawyer's annual A-List ranking doesn't measure size or profits. Rather, it highlights the best of the best law firms for their commitment to a variety of financial and cultural markers: revenue per lawyer, pro bono work, associate satisfaction, racial diversity and gender diversity among the partnership. The last metric was added to our calculation in 2017 to recognize firms for supporting women and making them partners.

How does your firm's performance compare to peers & competitors? Get the A-List Data exclusively on Legal Compass.

But it's not enough for firms to keep associates happy or to dedicate a few extra hours to their pro bono commitments. To make the A-List, all of these issues have to share top priority.