As the king of elite law firms, Cravath essentially wrote the book on legal practice and education. The firm attracts the best of the best and offers a professional atmosphere based on respect. Those who thrive under pressure, with a strong work ethic and intellectual curiosity, will do well in the business. Cravath has a strong reputation for its work in antitrust, banking and lending, capital markets, corporate governance, executive compensation and benefits, mergers and acquisitions, securities litigation, tax, trusts and estates, and white-collar defence. Each of Cravath`s firms is internationally oriented and more than one-third of its clients are located outside the United States. Shearman & Sterling provides high-level legal work coupled with teammate support and strong mentorship. For those looking for international experience, the firm`s global presence means exciting cross-border work and travel opportunities. Shearman & Sterling is one of the world`s leading law firms, serving the domestic and cross-border needs of an impressive list of clients. With approximately 850 lawyers in 25 offices across North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East, the firm has an enviable blend of prestige, expertise and reach. Latham is one of the largest law firms in the world. With more than 3,000 lawyers in 31 offices around the world, Latham practices in all major jurisdictions in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia and regularly represents corporations.

SRZ attracts social and hard-working employees, and the company is ideal for those interested in the financial services industry. The firm is used to dealing with high-profile pro bono cases and has not wavered in this commitment. Today, Schulte Roth & Zabel mainly advises clients in the financial services sector, in particular on the representation of capital management companies. SRZ is relatively narrow in practice according to BigLaw standards, focusing on investment management, corporate and transaction matters, and securities litigation. Williams & Connolly, one of the most selective law firms, is an exceptional litigation expert known for handling complex, high-stakes issues. The company has an internal promotion culture that emphasizes organic mentoring. Employees enjoy considerable autonomy through the market-based allocation system and receive significant support for pro bono activities. Known for handling complex, high-stakes litigation, the firm has a thriving intellectual property practice ranging from pharmaceuticals to electronics, has filed oral arguments before the Supreme Court 17 times in the past five years, and acts as national coordinating counsel and litigator on major product liability cases. The firm also represents numerous law firms and accounting firms in professional liability and other litigation. With more than 1,600 lawyers in 10 countries, Gibson Dunn & Crutcher is a force. As one of the best law firms in the country, Gibson Dunn is known for its litigation and litigation work, especially for its busy appellate litigation.

Use this guide to identify your target law firms, better understand what works in those firms, and better understand employees` lives. You know you`ve been successful in the legal industry if you got a spot at Latham. The firm is a global leader in dozens of practice areas and recruits the best of the best. Those seeking autonomy in developing their practice, as well as extensive training and support, will rejoice in this legal giant. Latham is one of the largest law firms in the world. With more than 3,000 lawyers in 30 offices around the world, Latham operates in all major jurisdictions in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia and regularly represents companies operating in Latin America and Africa. The firm is a global leader in corporate transactions, environmental law, financial matters, litigation and litigation, and tax services. DC-based Steptoe & Johnson is attracted to candidates with legal or government experience, and the right personality is a must. The company is dedicated to developing people, with early opportunities for challenges and truly invested partners. Today, the firm advises a number of blue-chip clients and is consistently ranked among the top law firms for international trade, insurance, tax, intellectual property, energy, white-collar crime and the ever-evolving field of internet law.

How does Vault make its list of the top 100 companies in the country? The first step is to compile a list of the most reputable law firms by reviewing feedback from previous surveys, looking at our previous lists, sifting through legal publications, talking with lawyers in the field, and reviewing other published rankings. We then asked these large companies to distribute a password-protected online survey to their employees. This year, more than 20,000 employees across the country returned anonymous surveys to Vault.