Davis Polk & Wardwell

Associates say Davis Polk is about as good as it gets for law firm life. As one senior associate boasts, "I have interesting work, and the people I work with are great. If I didn't love my job I would not have stayed here as long as I have." Another midlevel adds, "As far as law firms go, Davis Polk can't be beat-there's no other law firm that I would like to be at."

Indeed, a senior associate says that the firm has grown more attractive the longer she's worked there. "I never thought I'd still be at a firm four-plus years out of law school," she says. "However, when you feel like you are learning a lot, enjoy what you do and love the people you are working with, it is pretty hard to leave, especially when I compare my experience and satisfaction to other midlevel and senior associates at New York law firms. And I must not be alone in my opinion because the senior associate class in the litigation department at Davis Polk is huge!"

Founded in New York City nearly 160 years ago, Davis Polk & Wardwell has grown into one of the world's leading law firms, across the full spectrum of practices. The firm has finance in its DNA, boasting one of the nation's best and most comprehensive corporate departments, with impressive teams in capital markets, M&A, credit, investment management, bankruptcy and tax. Its preeminent litigation practice also has deep roots- in his long career, name partner John Davis argued over 250 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. His tradition carries through to today, as Davis Polk lawyers continue to rank among the preeminent legal practitioners, and many Davis Polk alumni currently stand as leaders in business, government and public service. The firm routinely ranks in the top echelon of The American Lawyer's A-List, as based upon financial performance, pro bono activity, associate satisfaction and lawyer diversity. In 2007, Corporate Counsel ranked Davis Polk second in a survey that asked Fortune 250 legal departments to name the firms they rely on most for corporate matters.