Work-life balance is increasingly an issue for burned-out lawyers of both genders, parents in particular. Law students interviewing at firms increasingly ask whether they’ll have a life once they have a job. Our roundup keeps track of this hot topic for you.



“To be recognized within the legal segment as one of a small number of firms that’s considered one of the best companies to work for is potentially a significant recruiting tool,” he said.

He noted, though, that the rankings include all staff. “We’re not really just talking about lawyers here.” Thus, recruits might not find the general praise of Fortune magazine to be a specific portrait of a lawyer’s work environment.

Regardless, doing right by employees matters more than making the list, said John “Jay” Rossiter, managing partner of Perkins Coie’s San Francisco office.

“What’s important is what we do here,” he said. “Being on the list is just the icing on the cake. It is a nice pat on the back.”