The glitzy work life of a summer associate has dazzled another class of law school students⁠—and few firms proved as dazzling this year as a pair from Pennsylvania.

Summer associates reported an average satisfaction rate of 4.76 on this year's Summer Associates Survey, unchanged from 2018, and no firm had an average score below 4.19. The surveys were gathered from more than 3,600 summer associates at 82 of the world's largest firms. The survey asked respondents to rate their firms based on quality of work, partner and associate interaction and likelihood to accept an offer if extended.

Philadelphia-based Duane Morris was one of only four firms that received perfect 5 marks to share the top spot on the ranking. The other three were Clifford Chance; Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel; and Stroock & Stroock & Lavan. (View the full list at the bottom of this page.)

In a press release announcing its performance in the survey, Duane Morris said it "offers interesting challenges to law students who participate in its summer program as well as a realistic picture of the firm's practice to aspiring attorneys who have an interest in sharing Duane Morris goals and serving Duane Morris clients. The firm's program balances challenging work assignments with constructive feedback, work-related activities outside the office and enjoyable social events."

Overall, firms scored the highest ratings for their interactions between associates and summer associates, garnering an average score of 4.89 among all firms. Most firms took knocks in the training and guidance offered, scoring an average of 4.64, the lowest composite score across the board.

The firm that saw the most improvement on this year's survey was Philadelphia-based Drinker Biddle & Reath, which rocketed from dead last in 2018 to fifth place. Philadelphia-based Fox Rothschild also made a significant climb up the list this year, from No. 53 to No. 15. Elsewhere, Bracewell jumped from No. 59 to No. 9.

Last year, Drinker Biddle took the biggest knocks in the "real work" and "­interesting work" categories, ­scoring an average of 3.9 out of 5 for both. Justin Kay, Drinker Biddle's hiring committee chairman, said the firm took last year's feedback ­seriously and tweaked its program, modifying the assignment process and bringing in a consultant to analyze its communication strategy.

"If you take the time to ­explain the rationale or benefit of doing certain things, especially when they are new and different, you get more buy-in," Kay said.

The plan worked, and Drinker Biddle received an average score of 4.9 in the two categories this year.

Not every firm saw such improvement. Cahill Gordon & Reindel dropped 60 places from No. 19 to No. 79, and Crowell & Moring fell from No. 25 to No. 65. The firms received average satisfaction ratings of 4.4 and 4.6, respectively.

Thompson Hine was at the bottom of the list with an average score of 4.19. The firm had average scores below 4 in training, partner interaction and communication of goals. The latter was covered by a summer associate when asked by the survey what should change about the firm: "To make expectations clearer, especially regarding non-work events like happy hours and other social policies that are not obvious until you do something wrong," they said.

A firm spokeswoman said its program offers "a ­valuable career development ­experience" and that, "as a firm focused on innovation, we are ­always seeking ways to ­enhance our services, which includes our summer associate program and other pipeline ­efforts."

As for the rest of the Pennsylvania firms on the list, all of which are Philadelphia-based, there was quite a bit of movement among the rankings compared to last year.

Blank Rome went from No. 9 last year to No. 7 this year; Morgan, Lewis & Bockius jumped from the 23rd spot last year to 12th place this year; Ballard Spahr dropped from No. 26 last year to tie with Dorsey & Whitney at No. 35 this year; Dechert fell from seventh place last year to tie with Morrison & Foerster at No. 40; and Reed Smith dipped one spot from No. 57 to No. 58 this year.

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Mental Health and Diversity

For the first time, The American Lawyer included a question asking summer associates whether they are concerned with their mental health or well-being as an attorney.

Several high-profile attorneys have died by suicide in the past few years, raising the alarm on the state of mental health within the legal industry. A 2016 study conducted by the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation in conjunction with the American Bar Association found that 21% of licensed, employed attorneys qualify as problem drinkers, 28% struggle with some level of depression, and 19% demonstrate symptoms of anxiety.

Forty-two percent of associates said they are concerned about their mental health, giving all sorts of reasons, including the structure of the legal industry.

"It's no secret that working in Big Law is often unsustainable for a majority of the population. The hours are long and you face incredible stress," said a Houston-based summer associate. "It's undoubtedly something that I'm worried about in the future, especially if I want to have a family."

Some are worried that Big Law's atmosphere will exacerbate existing mental health issues.

"I have clinical depression and anxiety, so it's always a concern, especially in a high-stress environment," a Washington, D.C., summer associate said.

"I have a history of mental health issues in my family and want to make sure I'm taking care of myself as I embark on this new career," said a respondent in San Diego.

Others lamented the high rate of substance abuse in the legal industry, even going as far as to note the amount of drinking they saw at their summer firm.

It's no surprise, then, that when asked to list their top three factors in evaluating an offer, 46% of summer associates listed work/life balance. In fact, work/life balance was the most important factor among the respondents, followed by strength in practice area at 43% and desire to live in a particular city at 38%.

Diversity received a much more mixed response. Only 11.4% of respondents ranked diversity in the firm's partnership in their top three factors in evaluating an offer, up less than 1% from the previous year's class.

Yet diversity was the one of the most frequently mentioned criticisms when summer associates were asked for the one thing they would tell their firm to change.

"Hire more female partners," an associate in New York said bluntly.

Others saw diversity well-represented among their associate ranks, but not at the leadership level, a nod to the difficulties firms have in retaining diverse talent.

"Focus more on diversity, not only at the summer associate level, but in upper leadership as well," a summer associate in Silicon Valley, California, responded.

And one summer associate in Washington, D.C., took issue with having to pay for tampons out of dispensers in the office bathroom, a sign, she said, that the firm does not take diversity seriously.

"This is the first time I've seen that in a workplace, ever. And I've had some not-glamorous jobs," she said. "If I saw that when I was interviewing, it would have sent me a very clear message: women aren't heard at the decision-making table here. It's not about the money; it's the message."

Zack Needles contributed to this report.