Best Midsize Law Firms to Work For
Associates at midsize law firms assessed their own firms on a range of workplace issues related to career development, job satisfaction, and quality of life. Vault's 2025 Rankings are derived from Vault's Annual Associate Survey conducted from January 2024 through March 2024.
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2025 Best Midsize Law Firms for Technology & Innovation
Edelson PC
Edelson PC was founded in Chicago, Illinois, in 2007, and has added three offices in the United States: Boulder, Colorado; San Francisco, California; and Washington, DC. The firm focuses on high-impact plaintiff’s class action and mass action litigation, as well as public impact and public client investigation cases. It also works with governmental entities in shaping legislation and representing these entities in actions brought on behalf of consumers. The firm’s efforts have secured $45 billion in settlements and judgments for its clients. The firm has been recognized by Law360 as an Illinois Powerhouse, the only plaintiff’s firm to receive this distinction, and founder Jay Edelson has been recognized by Law360 as a Titan of the Plaintiff’s Bar and by Lawdragon as a top Plaintiff Financial Lawyer.
SCORE 9.563
2024 Ranking
#2
Harrity & Harrity LLP
Harrity & Harrity is a patent firm that focuses on electrical and mechanical technologies. The firm services many high-profile clients, including Fortune 500 companies, and it takes pride in serving its clients for the long haul. Harrity’s patent attorneys have experience in a broad range of industries, from aerospace to health care to financial services and more. Associates experience great work-life balance here, as the firm operates on a production-based compensation system rather than the billable hour.
SCORE 9.500
2024 Ranking
#1
Adam Leitman Bailey, P.C.
Adam Leitman Bailey is a top New York real estate firm that is still managed by its founder and is home to approximately two dozen attorneys. The firm is known for the stellar litigation skills of its lawyers and their ability to get a deal done. Clients range from individuals to cooperatives and from condos to developers. A cherished rite of passage for first-year associates is the gift of a new suit when they pass the bar.
SCORE 9.200
2024 Ranking
#Not Ranked
The Cavanagh Law Firm, PA
The Cavanagh Law Firm takes pride in maintaining the same principles upon which it was founded more than 20 years ago: hard work, quality, integrity, and superior client service. With two offices in Arizona and at about 30 attorneys strong, the firm provides legal services in dozens of practice areas, including commercial litigation and ADR, labor and employment, health care, insurance defense, family law, tax law, and more.
SCORE 9.100
2024 Ranking
#Not Ranked
Bookoff McAndrews PLLC
Based in Washington, DC, Bookoff McAndrews focuses on patent counseling and prosecution for technology companies. Founded in 2012, this patent boutique has been recognized by Chambers and Forbes, among others, for its stellar work as a top intellectual property firm. BoMc is committed to DEI, celebrates the outside interests of its attorneys, and embraces work-life balance as much as possible in a busy practice; this is evident in its high positions in multiple Best Midsize Law Firms to Work For rankings.
SCORE 9.032
2024 Ranking
#16
Lightfoot, Franklin & White LLC
With just over 60 attorneys, Lightfoot, Franklin & White is a litigation boutique with roots in Alabama but a strong reach across the U.S. Over the past 30 years, the firm’s lawyers have spent more than 4,400 days at trial. Lightfoot encourages its attorneys to gain broad experience. Attorneys embrace a specialization, while also gaining broader experience across areas. The firm notes that this approach makes it more “nimble” and better able to serve its clients’ ever-changing needs.
SCORE 8.909
2024 Ranking
#13
McNeill PLLC
McNeill is the ultimate haven for patent attorneys seeking maximum flexibility. The firm is fully remote and allows attorneys to set their own billable-hours goal, which results in associates who are very pleased with their work-life balance. And while the firm prioritizes the needs of attorneys and staff, it certainly isn’t lacking in the quality of work and caliber of clients served. The firm is well regarded for its IP work, even despite its relatively young age.
SCORE 8.765
2024 Ranking
#8
Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell LLP
Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell is a litigation boutique known for going to trial nationwide and winning on behalf of its high-profile clients in industries including manufacturing, telecommunications, energy, and services. Associates feel valued and enjoy being able to tackle substantive work from the start in the firm’s collegial, social environment. The firm and its attorneys have been recognized by the likes of U.S. News—Best Lawyers, Chambers USA, The Best Lawyers in America, and The National Law Journal.
SCORE 8.679
2024 Ranking
#20
Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson, P.A.
Robinson Bradshaw is a growing firm of more than 170 attorneys, with four offices operating in and around North Carolina. Prospective associates are expected to work primarily from one of the firm’s offices, but those who do have a strong chance of making partner so long as they stick around (and that is what they want for their career). With no billable-hour requirement and with lockstep compensation, it’s no wonder Robinson Bradshaw stands out in career outlook, hours, satisfaction, associate/partner relations, and firm culture.
SCORE 8.636
2024 Ranking
#5
Farella Braun + Martel LLP
Founded in the Bay Area in 1962 with three attorneys, Farella Braun + Martel LLP is now a midsize firm and home to over 120 attorneys. It enjoys a solid reputation for corporate transactions and complex commercial litigation, particularly impressive credentials in the renewable energy industry, and—uniquely—a wine industry team in [its] Napa Valley office serving vintners and distributors. The firm has been nationally recognized by The Best Lawyers in America, Chambers, Law360, and Benchmark Litigation.
SCORE 8.500
2024 Ranking
#7
Wolf, Greenfield & Sacks, P.C.
Wolf Greenfield is an IP-focused midsize firm based in Boston, with additional offices in New York and Washington, DC. The firm covers all aspects of IP, from patent prosecution through post-grant proceedings at the Patent Office, International Trade Commission litigation, and litigation before all levels of the federal courts. Most attorneys at the firm have degrees from multiple educational fields, with almost all having backgrounds in engineering or science and over half having worked in those fields before coming to the law.
SCORE 8.500
2024 Ranking
#21
Susman Godfrey
It doesn’t get better for litigators than working at Susman Godfrey, an elite litigation boutique with four offices and only approximately150 partners and associates. Junior associates are given immediate responsibility and treated like future partners. Susman is known for innovation, including contingency fee arrangements when representing both plaintiffs and defendants. Despite long hours and intense work, the firm is social and rewards its associates with high compensation and bonuses. Firm-hosted retreats are notable perks.
SCORE 8.480
2024 Ranking
#Not Ranked
Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP
Operating out of two offices in Massachusetts, Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP is a northeast staple. A full-service, midsize firm, Nutter has around 150 lawyers working across a dozen industries. Lawyers at Nutter bring a host of experience in such areas as corporate, IP, labor and employment, litigation, privacy and data security, private client, public policy, real estate, and tax. The firm’s catch phrase is enough to set it apart from the competition: “uncommon law.”
SCORE 8.478
2024 Ranking
#17
Stotler Hayes Group LLC
Stotler Hayes is a midsized law firm with a national presence. It has an exclusive clientele of healthcare providers, including long-term care providers such as nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, and sub-acute hospitals. The firm has a collaborative culture, billing and compensation policies that support work-life balance, and over a decade of experience succeeding as a fully remote attorney team.
SCORE 8.450
2024 Ranking
#6
Marshall, Gerstein & Borun LLP
Headquartered in Chicago, Marshall, Gerstein & Borun is an intellectual property firm that works with clients on six continents. The firm has participated in numerous Supreme Court cases related to IP law since its founding in 1955 and has been recognized as a leader in its field by major publications. Firm attorneys hold degrees in science or engineering—in addition to their juris doctorates—to ensure the best possible representation for their clients.
SCORE 8.400
2024 Ranking
#10
Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox PLLC
DC-based Sterne Kessler Goldstein & Fox is a top IP boutique, home to approximately 150 attorneys focused on the protection, transfer, and enforcement of intellectual property rights. The firm has led the way in litigating cases before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board since PTAB’s 2012 creation. SKGF is also home to an Intellectual Property and Human Rights Pro Bono Practice—the first of its kind—which focuses on the interplay of intellectual property principles and human rights.
SCORE 8.385
2024 Ranking
#14
Wilkinson Stekloff
Wilkinson Stekloff is a leading litigation boutique with offices in Washington, DC and New York City. Since its founding in 2016, the 40-lawyer firm has tried over 20 cases to verdict, stacking up win after win. Small but mighty, the firm focuses on winning high-stakes trials while actively encouraging its attorneys to take on pro bono matters. Notably, Wilkinson Stekloff eschews the traditional billable model, both in terms of client fee arrangements and attorney timekeeping at the firm, which is appreciated by all parties.
SCORE 8.381
2024 Ranking
#8
Carlson Caspers Vandenburgh & Lindquist, PA
Though not quite 20 years old, Carlson Caspers has established itself as a key player in the fields of intellectual property litigation and counseling. With 33 attorneys—including scientists, engineers, and pharmacists with decades of subject matter expertise—in its sole office in Minneapolis, the firm manages opinion work, contested PTO proceedings, portfolio development, and monetization for national and international corporations.
SCORE 8.375
2024 Ranking
#Not Ranked
Bush Seyferth PLLC
A boutique litigation firm, BSP Law represents clients on matters related to product liability, complex commercial litigation, class action suits, and appellate cases, including class certifications and summary judgments. A Michigan-based firm with a nationwide reach, Bush Seyferth is the choice for many automobile manufacturers as well as other litigation clients. It enjoys a strong reputation and is a welcoming place to work. Associates report an open-door policy and friendly relationships at all levels.
SCORE 8.333
2024 Ranking
#Not Ranked
Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig PLLC
Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig is a veteran-owned law firm with outcome-focused attorneys advising and representing clients in national and international legal matters.
SCORE 8.333
2024 Ranking
#Not Ranked
Hooper, Lundy & Bookman PC
Hooper Lundy is the largest firm in the country dedicated exclusively to representing healthcare clients. The firm is well-suited for associates who thrive in a team-oriented culture and want early hands-on experience under the guidance of dedicated mentors. The firm is also a certified provider of continuing legal education and provides in-house legal training on healthcare issues that is not available to the general bar.
SCORE 8.333
2024 Ranking
#11
Banner & Witcoff, Ltd.
Windy City-based Banner Witcoff is a top IP boutique that offers a friendly, open-door culture. It also boasts a strong pro bono practice, which has included work on numerous amicus briefs related to novel IP issues. With its reputation as a firm that has helped shape IP law, including through work on groundbreaking Supreme Court cases, the Banner Witcoff name certainly carries a lot of weight in the IP world.
SCORE 8.308
2024 Ranking
#Not Ranked
Carter Ledyard & Milburn LLP
Carter Ledyard & Milburn LLP has been part of the New York City legal scene since 1854 and counts Franklin D. Roosevelt as a firm alumnus. Although many of its legal projects involve its home city, the firm offers many types of legal counsel to international companies wishing to do business in the United States. The firm advises clients ranging from financial institutions and medical and biotech companies to alternative energy companies and, high-net-worth individuals and families.
SCORE 8.231
2024 Ranking
#Not Ranked
Irell & Manella LLP
Irell & Manella has been around since 1941 and has resisted any temptation to engage in outrageous expansion efforts, so that it has maintained a small to midsize firm feel. The firm has only three offices—two in Southern California and one in Washington, D.C.—and only 70 attorneys, and does exemplary work in the areas of intellectual property litigation and general business litigation.
SCORE 8.143
2024 Ranking
#19
MoloLamken LLP
In just over a decade of existence and with fewer than 40 attorneys, MoloLamken has quickly made a name for itself among the heavy hitters of boutique litigation shops. With offices in three of the country’s major metropolises—New York, Chicago, and Washington, DC—MoloLamken’s attorneys focus on complex business litigation, white collar criminal defense, and intellectual property. MoloLamken only hires laterally, putting a premium on experience when it comes to handling the high-stakes, complicated cases the firm takes on.
SCORE 8.118
2024 Ranking
#Not Ranked
