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Burges Salmon named ‘Best Law Firm to Work At’ for fifth year running

The RollOnFriday survey found 85% of staff at the Bristol firm said they were satisfied, putting Burges Salmon at the top of the table. 

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Burges Salmon has set a new record after being named the ‘Best Law Firm To Work At’ by RollOnFriday for the fifth year running. 

The survey found 85% of staff at the Bristol firm said they were satisfied, putting Burges Salmon at the top of the table. 

More than 7,500 people in private practice rated their firms across six categories including pay, work/life balance, career development, management, culture, and office and amenities.

Manchester firm Horwich Farrelly came in second with 83%. 

Bird & Bird and Paul, Weiss both scored 82%. 

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Mills & Reeve and Birketts, both based in the East Anglia region, scored 81% and 80% respectively. Russell-Cooke was also at 80%. 

Other UK firms in the top 10 included Harbottle & Lewis (75%), TLT (74%), Lewis Silkin (73%), Macfarlanes (73%), Hogan Lovells (73%), Travers Smith (73%), Bevan Brittan (72%), HSF Kramer (72%), Browne Jacobson (72%), Wedlake Bell (72%), Clarke Willmott (71%), DAC Beachcroft (71%), Kirkland & Ellis (71%), Withers (70%), Baker McKenzie (70%), BCLP (70%), and Trowers & Hamlins (70%).

The survey found partners were the happiest group, scoring 78% on average, while trainees gave 74%. 

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Business services staff gave 69%. 

Junior solicitors scored 63% and senior solicitors gave the lowest average score at 61%.

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Shakespeare Martineau improved their score to 60%, up from last year’s lowest. Capsticks and HFW both scored 69%. 

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Michelmores, last year’s joint-winner, also scored 69%. 

Other firms in the satisfied band included Ashurst, Mayer Brown, Simmons & Simmons, Pinsent Masons, Clyde & Co, Ashfords, Hill Dickinson, WBD, Brabners, RPC, Freeths, Norton Rose Fulbright, Osborne Clarke, Mishcon de Reya, Shoosmiths, Taylor Wessing, Dentons, Gowling WLG, CMS, and Squire Patton Boggs.

Slaughter and May scored 62% after a change in management. 

Clifford Chance, Linklaters, and A&O Shearman were in the somewhat satisfied band, scoring between 50% and 51%. 

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Freshfields was in the somewhat dissatisfied category at 49%. 

Eversheds Sutherland, Kennedys, DLA Piper, Stephenson Harwood, Addleshaw Goddard, Knights, Foot Anstey, Irwin Mitchell, Watson Farley & Williams, Fieldfisher, Weightmans, and DWF all scored between 50% and 58%, putting them in the lower satisfaction bands.

Charles Russell Speechlys, Gateley, Reed Smith, and Cripps scored under 45%. 

Broadfield was last at 39%, receiving the Golden Turd.

Roger Bull, managing partner at Burges Salmon, said: “This is fantastic news for the firm. To be named ‘Best Law Firm to Work At’ for the fifth year in a row is an extraordinary achievement and something that has never been achieved before by any firm. 

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“We’re incredibly proud of this recognition, which reflects the culture of commitment, support and collaboration that our people work so hard to nurture every single day. 

“Culture is never static; it requires constant care and attention and this result shows just how deeply our shared values run across the firm.”

Bull added: “My thanks go to everyone who took the time to participate in this year’s survey and for everything they do to make our firm such a great place to work.”

Ross Fairley, senior partner at Burges Salmon, said: “Half a decade of being voted the best law firm to work at really is something. It is a key part of our offering to our people and clients. 

“Our aim is to demonstrate to talented people in this changing legal market that you can be part of a successful law firm helping terrific clients with cutting edge legal work and still be in a supportive and hugely enjoyable workplace.”

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