Snell & Wilmer Ranks in the Top 20 for Associate Satisfaction in AmLaw Survey

PHOENIX – Snell & Wilmer is pleased to announce that the firm is ranked seventeenth nationwide in the 2023 AmLaw Midlevel Associates Satisfaction Survey. The firm received a remarkable 96.8 percent response rate from its midlevel associates (defined by the survey as those in their third, fourth, and fifth year of practice) – the highest participation rate of any firm in the survey, more than double the average firm participation rate of 48 percent.  

The AmLaw survey examines twelve aspects of job satisfaction, including compensation and benefits; training and guidance; relations with partners and other associates; interest in and satisfaction with the work; the firm’s policy on billable hours; and management’s openness about firm strategies and partnership chances. 

Highly marked areas for Snell & Wilmer included relationships among associates and between partners and associates, challenging and fulfilling work, management transparency, meaningful opportunities and desire for partnership, balanced workloads, and technology investments. Snell & Wilmer ranked eighth in the country in its midlevel associates’ satisfaction with the firm’s technology.

“We appreciate our associates’ strong participation in this year’s survey. We continue to explore innovative new ways to support our associates, and the feedback we gather through this survey has been integral to those efforts,” said Jeffrey A. Scudder, co-chair of the firm’s Attorney Development Committee (ADC) and a partner in the Phoenix office. 

“We work with all associates on an individual basis to help them on their professional paths, wanting to see all who desire it develop into self-sustaining partners,” said Firm Chair Barbara J. Dawson. “This is consistent with our position as a relationship-based firm, as well as our credo commitments to our clients, our communities, and each other.” 

Snell & Wilmer credits its ADC for the group’s dedicated support and efforts towards developing associate satisfaction. The ADC consists of associates, counsel, and partners who meet regularly to create and support development, connection, and advancement opportunities that encourage each attorney to reach their full potential, both personally and professionally. The ADC focuses specifically on enhancing the firm’s mentoring, training, and lateral integration efforts, working with the firm’s Attorney Talent staff and attorney leaders to address the unique needs of new and experienced associates and lateral attorneys. ADC members also serve as a point of contact for attorneys within their offices to communicate feedback and ideas to firm leadership. In so doing, the ADC has the full support of the firm’s Executive Committee. 

“This ranking re-affirms the sincere commitment of our partners in supporting each associate’s development, while also signaling the deep investment our associates make in building their careers here,” said Snell & Wilmer Chief Talent Officer Kristen Hulse. “This mutual engagement provides an ideal foundation for our associates to learn and thrive, knowing they are cared for and valued for who they are.”

About Snell & Wilmer
Founded in 1938, Snell & Wilmer is a full-service business law firm with more than 450 attorneys practicing in 16 locations throughout the United States and in Mexico, including Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona; Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego, California; Denver, Colorado; Washington, D.C.; Boise, Idaho; Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Portland, Oregon; Dallas, Texas; Salt Lake City, Utah; Seattle, Washington; and Los Cabos, Mexico. The firm represents clients ranging from large, publicly traded corporations to small businesses, individuals, and entrepreneurs. For more information, visit swlaw.com.