Fortune releases its list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For each year in the month of January. Just like the past couple of years, law firms have made the list in 2012, which features Google, DreamWorks Animation, and Goldman Sachs to name a few.
Just like 2011, only four law firms made the 2012 list.
The four law firms that made this year’s list include the same four law firms that made last year’s list. This does not come as a surprise to most, but the firms did drop in rank this year compared to last year.
The law firm of Alston & Bird hit the list this year at #24 compared to #13 last year. Bingham McCutchen hit the list at #30 this year compared to #28 last year. Baker Donelson hit the list at #54 this year compared to #50 last year and Perkins Coie hit the list at #58 this year compared to #55 last year.
Even thought the law firms have dropped in rank, here is what Fortune had to say about working at each firm:
The staff at Baker Donelson is so appreciated by the firm that if they “were on the Titanic, managers would have dived in to save [them].” “Employees rave about the caring atmosphere at this Southern law firm.” The law firm made the list of no layoffs gallery and came in at number 24 on the best-paying companies list.
At the law firm of Perkins Coie, there are “happiness committees” that host parties on a regular basis. The firm was ranked at number four on the top-paying company list, as associates average over $189,000 per year. The firm also ranked on a top ten list for employing the most telecommuters. The firm says that 45 percent are relegated as regular telecommuters.
At Bingham, Fortune said that the firm is in short supply of “prima donnas and malicious jerks.” Bingham made it onto a list of 25 top-paying companies, coming it at number two, as associates average over $228,000 per year in salary.
At the law firm of Alston & Bird, Fortune did not even provide an interesting description as to why the firm made the list. The firm also appeared at number three on a list of top-paying companies. Associates at the firm average a salary of $201,233. The firm was also named to an unusual perks list because it offers subsidized Spanish classes.
All four firms on the list offer domestic partner benefits for same-sex couples and employ nondiscrimination policies against sexual orientation.