_{One person's poison...}

At the core of every law firm is its culture. Some law firms are cozy and warm, others are all-business, and what may suit one lawyer would drive another one crazy. But which is which? Thousands of people in private practice answered the question, rating their satisfaction with their law firm's culture in RollOnFriday's Best Law Firms to Work At 2026.

Now you can step behind identikit values to see what the personality of a firm really is. At the top of the table are staff who enjoy going to work, with some even developing a twisted type of love for their firm.

Extremely satisfied

Akin Gump came top for culture with a score of 92%.

"Best part about Akin, everyone is very relaxed," said a partner, "No running about like headless chickens at closing, the trainees all the way up to senior leadership are gathered and pragmatic."

"No yelling or throwing of statute books," confirmed an Akin Gump trainee. "Everyone is very calm and professional and ready to help." 

"I know every firm harps on about their culture but Akin really is something positively unique," said a senior lawyer. "Every lateral fits in like a puzzle piece to the office and a big aspect of that is a cultural fit. This means there are virtually no c*nts."

This year's winner of the overall survey, Burges Salmon (91%) took second spot for its "fab, lovely, supportive, approachable, transparent, fun" culture, beamed a senior solicitor, adding, "I know everyone is bored of hearing this..."

"I am a salmon maki," said a BS senior lawyer. "My buttocks have been branded 'BS'", he joked (possibly), "it's a great place to work."

Russell-Cooke (90%) placed third. "A kind, warm and welcoming place," said one staffer. "I've worked at other law firms in London and by far, this is the best culture I have experienced." 

"You will never be blanked by someone when passing them in the corridor," commented a Russell-Cooke trainee. "Everyone is happy to meet new people from different teams, which can make hot desking in different offices quite fun!" They said there are so many socials that: "You might come home late not because of overwhelming workload but because you stayed to watch the Halloween-special Film Club screening of Silence of the Lambs."

In fourth place, "there is no 'them and us' everyone genuinely look after one and other," said a business services staffer at Horwich Farrelly (88%), "we couldn’t ask for a better culture". 

A senior lawyer commented: "Considering how much the firm has grown (now 1000+ people) it still has a small firm feel. HF really care about their people and culture."

Bird & Bird (87%) shared fifth spot for its "very open, collaborative and supportive work environment and culture", as well as its "lack of hierarchy."

"I'm surrounded by people who love their job, are (mostly) very brilliant at what they do and manage to remain human," said a 2Birds partner.  

Also in joint-fifth was Mills & Reeve (87%) for being "very good at not hiring tyrants and despots."

"Very friendly and supportive" said a M&R lawyer, noting there was "less pushing of woke/DEI initiatives recently which is welcome. I tried a few years ago to join a women's staff group but was excluded due to women-centric/gender-sceptical viewpoint".

Sharing seventh spot with 86% was Bevan Brittan and Birketts. "Poor behaviour isn't tolerated," at Bevan Brittan said a partner, describing the firm as "non-hierarchical, friendly, inclusive. It's why I'll be here until I retire".

At "non-toxic and welcoming" Birketts, a staffer said "culture is one of the biggest differences between Birketts and the other larger international firms I have worked at.  You genuinely feel part of something bigger not just a small cog in a larger machine."

Very satisfied

In the 'very satisfied' category, ninth-placed Debevoise & Plimpton (83%) has an "asshole to normie ratio" which is "noticeably low".

"High performance but also humane," summed up a Debevoise partner.

In tenth spot, a Harbottle & Lewis (82%) apprentice beamed: "I had a spontaneous lunch with both the COO and both Co-managing partners where they all seemed genuinely interested in my experience at the firm so far and how I am settling in, despite me being the least senior position possible."

Another staffer said the firm celebrated its 70th birthday as a firm-wide celebration: "we were all reminded what a special place this is and how good it feels to be a part of the firm's amazing story".

Outside of the top ten firms, a partner at Browne Jacobson (81%) said the firm "genuinely cares about its people", while another employee said that "Working for partners who aren't all sociopathic nutjobs is a huge bonus".

At Hogan Lovells (80%), "we continue to be genuinely nice to one another, even in Disputes there are no aggressive assholes," said a Counsel, warning, "though we can be that way to our opponents when required".

A TLT (80%) junior lawyer stated: "The firm's culture is the reason I stay. Lovely people, very down to earth". A partner concurred: "what attracts and then keeps people at the firm. It's great that the firm has stuck to its guns with the complete flexibility on WFH it gives people, especially when a lot of firms are mandating compulsory minimum time in the office. It makes like so much easier for parents, carers, etc."

DAC Beachcroft's (79%) culture is "excellent," said a partner. "And not just because I've come from a firm that's more toxic than Chernobyl was on 27 April 1986.  Genuine collaboration and collegiate behaviour across the business and across offices (UK and international) with self policed 'no dickheads' approach, regardless of seniority".  

At Goodwin Procter (79%) "all offices work well with each other" as "management in Boston and NY are visible and provide facetime to associates at all levels". One lawyer noted: "There are of course a few bad actors, the odd out-bound partner or associate that shits on the floor, but generally it is a group of mainly young, ambitious and very impressive partners". 

At Macfarlanes (79%) "people that you don't know will smile and say hi when they pass" said one lawyer. Senior associates said it was "slightly culty" which "comes from operating across a fairly narrow and niche set of practice areas", but also that it "makes collegiality a big focus and I think it delivers it." A couple of lawyers rued absentee partners at socials: "I feel massive responsibility as a senior to be present at drinks and buy rounds for trainees because partners simply aren’t there to do it", said one.

At Weil (79%) there are "a lot of long term stayers which says it all," said one lawyer, while Ropes & Gray's (78%) culture is "our special sauce," said a partner. While many respondents noted the long hours, one junior praised the firm for its "mentoring mindset".

"You can feel that people really enjoy being at Travers Smith" (77%), said one staffer, "and they want to help each other succeed." While another commented: "It has changed over the years but Travers is still a firm that really cares about people and their relationships with one another.  The firm focuses on personal development and long careers, not turning a quick profit with high turnover due to burnout."

At Lewis Silkin (76%) there is a "great culture where braveness and kindness permeate through all staff members," said one impressed lawyer.  

At Clarke Willmott (76%) staff felt "very valued", with one noting: "The firm actively supports our lifestyles.  We even had a pottery evening."

White & Case (76%) was commended for a "very good" culture "for working parents". A junior lawyer commented, "being a US firm, you would expect it to be full of assholes but they are few and far between". While a partner praised the "wonderful" annual "White & Case World Cup that showcases our global and collegiate culture".

Paul, Weiss (76%) "is a very dynamic place to work" with "loads of lovely people who are at the top of their game and approachable and friendly". There are "high expectations which you would expect but not for the sake of it," revealed a lawyer. 

At BCLP (75%) "this is a firm where you treat your co-workers like you would your best client," said one staffer. Although one feared that the firm was "lubing up for our future AI masters," with recent redundancies. 

Capsticks (75%) has a "positive and nice" culture, said one staffer. "Its almost too nice and I often feel like the wicker man walking around the place looking at the locals and their odd practices and friendliness". 

A HSF Kramer (75%) junior lawyer commented: "People are good eggs around here. I think the Aussies have brought some more relaxed feeling to the firm," adding "I fear the Americanisation (not from Kramer, just the market generally) might change the way we do things, but I really hope not". 

At Trowers & Hamlins (75%) "like anywhere, the globo-culture spouted from the top is a load of rubbish," said one lawyer, "but at an office and team level it appears most people are fairly normal and makes it a nice place to work."

A Withers (75%) partner noted: "the firm has an open, friendly and collaborate culture with a "flat hierarchy, where everyone treats each other as equals, working towards a common goal".

A Baker McKenzie (74%) senior lawyer believed: "the firm has worked incredibly hard over the past 5-10 years to form a culture that derives from its highly international structure and focus, which is a tolerant, diverse and collaborative culture. So it doesn't feel like a culture has been imposed on us - the culture is both bottom up and top down." While a colleague said "the support I have received during recent health issues has been exemplary." 

Simmons & Simmons (74%) "generally is full of kind, decent people," said a lawyer, adding "the firm does have an identity crisis though".

At Wedlake Bell (73%) "there are many opportunities" with the "annual ski trip, walking trip, christmas party, sports teams and monthly firmwide socials," said one staffer. "However outside of social culture, the career progression paths for business support staff holds it back".

Mayer Brown's (72%) "London office has its own mini-culture which is appreciated," said a lawyer, "it doesn't feel like a US outpost". Although a colleague had a different view: "the firm is ultimately a good place but influence from the US means London feels a little confused at present."

At Hill Dickinson (72%) there are "a few 'characters' but in a good way." Although one staffer believed: "Many of the social functions tend to be alcohol focused. It would be great to see a broader range of social activities that are more inclusive and accessible to all staff."

Michelmores (71%) "walks the walk whereas other firms talk a good game but thrash their lawyers, just look at the profits and they speak for themselves."

"There are a lot of really top notch lawyers, some of whom have left City/Magic Circle firms in order to have a better life," said a Michelmores partner, noting "there are lots of fun parties and sporting events, such as regular runs/cycles from our offices and the annual 5km charity run which the firm organises in Exeter (which raises a huge amount for charity each year)". 

Satisfied

In the 'satisfied' category, Norton Rose Fulbright's (69%) culture "varies team to team but I have thoroughly drunk the kool-aid about mine, just a thoroughly nice bunch," said one lawyer.

HFW (69%) has "some parts which are still a bit old school," said a partner but "means well, is improving and is better than other firms I've worked at". While a lawyer commended partners for "not taking themselves too seriously."

At Pinsent Masons (68%) "if you want to make millions and work on highly complicated transactions, we're not the firm for you," said a lawyer, "but if you want to work with colleagues who are good at their jobs and aren't a bunch of dicks, Pinsent Masons is a decent place to be". Another lawyer agreed the firm had a good culture, but "could do with more pint nights".

A Keoghs (68%) partner said the firm treats staff "like adults and supports people when they are struggling." Although a senior lawyer complained "there are limited funds available to do anything other than have drinks in the office. There’s no Summer or Christmas party. I’m not even sure they pay for our team meals at Christmas." 

There was a similar sentiment at Womble Bond Dickinson (68%), where a partner said "we are fortunate that there are very few bell ends at the firm, and most of my colleagues are genuinely very nice folks," although "culture might be improved further if more money could be spent on staff socialising - the contributions towards Christmas and summer parties seem to dwindle year on year".

A Mishcon de Reya (67%) lawyer believed that evidentially the firm had a good culture: "The fact there wasn’t a small rebellion about the summer party says a lot".

RPC (67%) is "inclusive and a nice place to work," said a lawyer. "Generally, everyone is really nice and helpful and people accept you for who you are. Great support and loads of opportunities to network within the firm." Although a paralegal was disappointed with the cancellation of the Christmas parties, as it was "one of the biggest highlights of the year I had looked forward to".

One Brabners (67%) partner said the firm "genuinely tries its best to do the right thing by people" but "if anything, they risk being too nice and too soft - so taken advantage of by lazy youngsters."   

Clyde & Co's (67%) culture is "much better than it was," said one staffer. "Mostly very nice people all trying to achieve the same thing. Some arseholes but about 99% fewer than five years ago. Turns out when you don't put up with dickish behaviour and you remove your arseholes you have less shit to deal with". One lawyer did complain that the firm "reduced the drinks trolley from a fortnightly affair to a monthly affair after two trainees were caught making out after".

CMS (67%) "brings people together and has great sporting & culture initiatives" said its lawyers, although one cautioned that while it was indeed "a great place to work overall", it "pays lip service to collaboration without really having the structures or culture in place to encourage it".

A Taylor Wessing (66%) senior lawyer believed the culture was "generally good, but a bit annoying that some people coast and don’t get called out", while at Dentons (66%) there was a "great", "approachable" and "friendly culture." 

Ashurst (65%) has "very few awful characters", said a lawyer. Although trainee noted "some departments are full of great people, others less so..."

At Slaughter and May (64%), there are "decent people scattered throughout although the cultish self-belief can be tiring". While another staffer noted: "it takes a little work to integrate among the lifers, but I've found it's worth it".

Stephenson Harwood (63%) has "lovely people, but the firm does nothing to bring the whole office together" and "teams are siloed," said one lawyer. "Every event is team specific and most people don’t know who anyone is outside their own team." 

At Osborne Clarke (62%) a senior lawyer who praised the firm's culture noted that "new joiners consistently coming from other firms comment on how nice it is to work here compared with other firms, which suggests I haven't just drunk too deeply from the OC Kool Aid". An OC colleague commented: "Most people are lovely although wish they’d give over on the wokeness. Utterly tedious".

At Kirkland & Ellis (62%) "culture is hard working but much more collaborative and collegial than you would assume from the outside," said one lawyer.

A Shakespeare Martineau (61%) staffer said it was "embarrassing being the Golden Turd" last year, although it was "warranted", and confided they now have "to provide weekly reports to our managers based on 5 questions" including "how are you feeling?" A colleague believed "internal communication" had been improved "making everyone feel more connected."

A Freeths (61%) partner stated: "Literally have not met a single asshole. Oh, maybe I'm the asshole."

Watson Farley & Williams (61%) "is trying" to improve the working environment, said a lawyer, "but it varies between individual departments" and the "main problem is its gossip culture".

Shoosmiths (60%) is "in the process of changing," said one staffer, "less 'human' more corporate, little bit more sterile perhaps. Be interesting to see where it settles".

"Still lots of nice people," said a Shoosmiths lawyer, but "it is becoming increasingly more of a London firm with regional hubs than vice versa".

Somewhat satisfied

In the 'somewhat satisfied' category, at Gowling WLG (56%) while some staff praised a "strong culture", one lawyer believed the firm "pretends to take mental health seriously but in the end there’s very little understanding of it".

At Squire Patton Boggs (56%) there is a "notable shift in recent years towards a more typical US firm." 

Eversheds Sutherland (55%) has "generally nice" people "although every team has weirdos you just have to ignore" said one lawyer. A colleague commented: "Perhaps I need to move on, but I miss a Friday drinks trolley and sense of team that we had pre-2020."

Addleshaw Goddard (54%) has "not too many bad apples and egos" and "not much snobbery either. Even the London office is full of northerners, which helps," said one lawyer. However, they said the firm could be more sociable, as "drinks and events tend to be quarterly, and even in our big 250th anniversary year there's been not much going on. This makes it trickier to get to know folks outside your team."

A DLA Piper (52%) lawyer said: "I've been at the firm  for 12 years and its transformed from McDonalds Oxford St on a Saturday night  to the point where it is basically a respectable, competent, rather beige silver circle firm". Although another staffer believed the firm has a "less family feel than before" as "a lot of personal relationships have gone" and it's "more about process than people".

Weightmans' (52%) culture is "balanced on a knife’s edge" with "51% decent colleagues,  49% complete throbbers. Only time will tell which one prevails," said a lawyer.

At Kennedys (52%) "most people seem to be pleasant human beings, but the firm could make more of an effort than hosting a monthly social in the canteen where we awkwardly sip a few bottles of Peroni," said a lawyer.

A Knights (51%) partner said "the one firm culture might sound like just another soundbite, but it actually permeates throughout the offices". Although another lawyer believed:  "if your face fits it's fine" but the firm is "not supportive if you are an outsider i.e. not been there 10 years plus." 

Linklaters (50%) has "a strong sense of being respectful to all colleagues," said a lawyer. Although a colleague believed what "used to be a great culture" but "changes in the operating structure over the past few years have had severe negative impacts".

Somewhat dissatisfied

In the 'somewhat dissatisfied' category Irwin Mitchell (47%) "doesn't really have a culture per se," said a lawyer, "every office and team is like it's own little kingdom". A colleague commented that "overall colleagues are friendly and helpful" but "there is a lack of communication when rolling out things like a new case management system especially when constructive feedback is not welcomed".

DWF (47%) "feels like Man United," said a lawyer.  "there's a sense of pedigree but it kind of feels like the good days are behind us now. Each office also truly represents its locality."

At Freshfields (46%) "culture as it is communicated is exceptional," said a staffer, but "in practice some colleagues across all levels are permitted to operate at less than that standard which can be damaging to that intention". Another staffer said the firm is "retro pedaling on DEI in the US to reaffirm policies and attitudes leading to attrition."

Fellow Magic Circle firm Clifford Chance (46%) was "the wokest of the lot," said a lawyer: "Diversity and inclusion is good, but not to the extent it's forced upon us." A colleague said that the firm was "overall a great place to work with lovely people" but "recent redundancy rounds have created a sense on unease. Who's next on the chopping block?".

At A&O Shearman (46%) there's "lots of drinking, lots of nights out, lots of golf, lots of fun", said a senior lawyer. A trainee said that "Some departments are nicer than others", while there's still signs of some integration issues: one staffer commented that they were "not quite sure what the culture is since the merger."

Charles Russell Speechlys (45%) is a "private client firm at its core so there is an element of snobbiness that needs to get cut out," said one lawyer. Although a colleague believed that "most people are willing to spare their time and brainstorm ideas."

At Gateley (44%) a senior lawyer said: "Not really sure there is anything that can be described as ‘culture’ - its a plc business". A colleague commented: "the culture at our office has always been good but due to pay being considerably lower to other competitors, a lot of people are leaving. A lot of pressure on people to perform with no reward, which has made the morale in our office low".

Reed Smith (43%) "went very woke but it’s calmed down a bit," said a senior lawyer. A partner revealed: "A lot of DEI hires who haven’t delivered are then being whittled out."  

"New management has completely lost the culture," said a senior lawyer. "Pushing a US culture (i.e. bill bill bill - nothing else matters) but doesn't pay us accordingly".

At Fieldfisher (41%) "as with most Law firms if you are not a fee earner you are just a negative on the balance sheet," said a business services staffer. A colleague stated: "the decision to migrate many Business Services roles to Belfast will cause a natural dip that will probably take a year or two to fix".

Dissatisfied

Two firms landed in the 'dissatisfied' category. 

At Cripps (34%), a lawyer stated: "times are now tight after the botched Michelmores merger. Budget cuts have led to the demise of quarterly drinks, the NQ qualification lunches and regular team socials etc." They added: "Great to see the partners share the pain as they all had to chip in circa £100 each to attend the partners' management conference this year".

"I can take the low pay and the mediocre offices," said a junior lawyer, "but the regression in firm culture in the last few years is a crying shame". 

There were some differing views, as one Cripps lawyer said: "I like the fact that two hour boozy pub lunches are acceptable," while another stated: "Unless you are a white male in a laddish pub lunch clique - its pretty dire".

In last place, Broadfield (33%) "feels like it is becoming very Americanised," said one staffer.

"It used to be enjoyable but it has become very unpleasant" said a colleague. "Much of this has to do with pushing out support services to SHP Legal Services who provide a very substandard service by people who have no interest in delivering a high quality legal service with a few honourable exceptions". 

"There have been huge changes since the firm re-launched as Broadfield," said one lawyer. "There is very little left of the original BDB Pitmans or Bircham Dyson Bell culture".