Reprints & Permissions

This year's Summer Associates survey drew responses from 6,789 interns at 202 firms, 172 of which qualified for the national rankings. The survey was conducted from early June to mid-August. Surveys were distributed through the firm's recruiting coordinators, whom we contact in the spring about participation. Eligible summer associates are first- and second-year law students (classes of 2007 and 2008) clerking at firms for at least three weeks during the summer. Respondents are guaranteed anonymity.

Firms included in the National Rankings are those from which we received at least ten completed surveys. Individual offices listed on the Results by City chart are those from which we received at least five surveys.

To determine scores for individual questions, we average respondents' answers on a firmwide basis for the National Rankings chart and on a citywide basis for the Results by City chart. All question averages are rounded to two decimal places. Scores for firms are calculated from those rounded question averages, then rounded to three decimal places.

The average of nine job satisfaction questions is used to determine a firm's overall score on both charts. Scoring questions asked how interesting the work was, how much "real" work was assigned, how the training and guidance measured up, how positive interactions with partners and associates were, how well the firm communicated its goals and expectations, how accurately the firm portrayed itself in interviews, and the respondents' inclination to accept a position if one were offered. The respondents were also asked to rate the firm overall as a place to work.

Firms designated as "national" have no more than 45 percent of their lawyers in any single region of their home country. Firms designated as "international" have at least 40 percent of their lawyers working outside their home country. For detailed reports on each firm that qualified for the national rankings, please see americanlawyerse.com. Firms who wish to be included in next year's survey should contact us at associates@alm.com. Many thanks to all the firms and summer associates who participated in this year's survey.