Women associates report 17% lower job satisfaction than men – up from 13% in 2022. Things are getting worse and harder for the women.
Our brand new BTI Associate Satisfaction A-Listers 2026 reveals 13 pervasive reasons – the top 5 include:
- 54% see lower commitment to help develop their career than men
- 2/3 believe they are underpaid
- Lower optimism about career growth within their firm
- Little predictability in work and job-related priorities
- Lacking business development training and tools – which they believe has more impact on their careers than men
Only 138 firms gain recognition as being better for women associates – as ranked by these same women. These firms have a better chance of retaining and recruiting women associates. The following firms have been named Best of the Best for women associate satisfaction:
Baker Donelson
Clyde & Co
Debevoise
Fenwick & West
Finnegan
Fisher Phillips
Fox Rothschild
Greenberg Traurig
Gunderson Dettmer
Hall & Evans
Hogan Lovells
Holland & Knight
Hunton Andrews Kurth
Husch Blackwell
Jones Day
Katten
King & Spalding
Kirkland & Ellis
Latham & Watkins
McDermott Will & Schulte
Milbank
Simpson Thacher
Tucker Ellis
Venable
Wilson Elser
Wilson Sonsini
View the full list of firms named in the BTI Associate Satisfaction A-Listers 2026 here – and learn what these firms do differently here.
Start using the report to boost associate retention and recruiting today by ordering now.
Best in recruiting, retaining, and developing your women associates –
MBR
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