Clifford Chance (CC) has been branded the worst major firm to work for in the US, according to a survey of job satisfaction among mid-level associates – ranking 132nd out of 132 firms.

The survey by The American Lawyer asked nearly 4,000 mid-level associates about a range of issues, including treatment by partners, training and guidance, atmosphere and management openness.

CC's American arm came bottom in overall job satisfaction, scoring 2.74 on a ranking of 1 to 5, with the London-based giant scoring poorly in a number of categories. No firm was ranked without at least 10 responses.

Out of the UK-based giant's 32 respondents, 65.6% said they were "anxious" about the future, which was 10% higher than the second worst, Chicago's Jenner & Block.
The firm also came near the bottom for associate choices, with 50% of CC's respondents saying they are not sure they would make the same choice of firm again.

In contrast, the only other London-based firm included in the rankings, CC's magic circle rival Allen & Overy, came in 22nd in the table with an overall score of 3.95, up from 118th place last year.
A&O's New York senior partner Daniel Cunningham said: "This shows our US law group is maturing and responding to the way we are growing in New York."

CC's poor showing comes despite heavy recent investment in its US practice, gained through the 2000 merger with New York's Rogers & Wells, with the firm this year launching a West Coast practice.
The highest rankings were dominated by smaller US firms, with the exception of New York's Debevoise & Plimpton, ranked 9th, and the 14th placed Hale and Dorr of Boston.

The highest overall ranked firms for associate satisfaction were Alston & Bird, Goulston & Storrs and Susman Godfrey, ranked respectively first, second and third.

First reported on www.legalweek.net (1 October).