Drinker Biddle Receives Top Marks in The American Lawyer’s Summer Associate Survey

Drinker Biddle was ranked as one of the top five law firms nationwide for summer associate satisfaction by The American Lawyer’s Summer Associate Survey for 2019.

Justin Kay, chair of the firm’s National Hiring Committee, spoke with The American Lawyer about the firm’s overall fifth place ranking in the survey. He told The American Lawyer that the firm tweaked its program based on feedback from summer associates, modifying the assignment process and bringing in a consultant to analyze its communication strategy.

“If you take the time to explain the rationale or benefit of doing certain things, especially when they are new and different, you get more buy-in,” Kay said.

The annual survey assesses satisfaction among 3,600 summer associates across 82 of the world’s largest firms. Rankings are based on the quality of work, partner and associate interaction, and the likelihood of accepting an offer if extended.

These summer associate results, together with The American Lawyer’s Mid-Level Associate Survey for 2019 – where we ranked third in the nation – and our showing in the Chambers Associate guide for 2019, highlight the firm’s continued efforts to create a first-class work environment for all associates.