Bingham McCutchen is ranked number 12 on Fortune’s list. It was cited for its commitment to diversity. Retreats are held to bring together lawyers of color and openly gay and lesbian lawyers. Health insurance was amended in 2009 to cover additional benefits for transgender employees.
Alston & Bird, ranked at number 30, was noted for inviting all employees, from receptionists to legal secretaries, to attend monthly firm meetings marked by a review of a project.
Arnold & Porter at number 65 is noted for awarding bonuses between $450 and $15,000 to employees who make successful referrals.
At number 75 Perkins Coie represented both Obama for America, with 59 lawyers working on the campaign, and the Al Franken campaign, with 48 lawyers. It is one of 8 companies on the list to pay 100% of their employee’s health-care premiums.
Baker Donelson at number 77 is recognized for their commitment to diversity. 180 out of 540 lawyers are women and the number of minority lawyers has risen from 12 to 40.
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe comes in at number 95. The firm asked incoming associates to defer their entry until the fall of 2010. In return these associates were placed in legal positions at non profit and government agencies and paid an honorarium of $60,000 and a $15,000 bar stipend. 56% of incoming lawyers agreed to this deferment.