A comprehensive, data-backed analysis identifying U.S. law firms where women and minority attorneys don't just work—they lead, advance, and thrive.
Women and minority attorneys continue to face systemic disadvantages in BigLaw, despite decades of diversity initiatives and public commitments. While the legal profession has made incremental progress, the numbers tell a sobering story: according to the 2024 American Lawyer Diversity Scorecard, minority attorneys comprise only 22.4% of lawyers at major firms and just 13.6% of all partners.
Many firms talk extensively about DEI—investing in glossy diversity pages, hosting inclusion events, and issuing public statements of support. However, only a select few deliver measurable results where it matters most: promoting diverse attorneys to leadership positions, retaining them long-term, and creating environments where they genuinely thrive.
"Diversity without power is just window dressing. The firms that matter are the ones where women and minorities lead—not just work."
— Harrison Barnes, Founder, BCG Attorney SearchThis comprehensive report identifies the law firms where women and minorities don't just work—they get promoted to equity partnership and leadership roles, lead practice groups and serve on management committees, stay long term past the critical 4th-year mark, and feel genuinely supported by firm culture and policies.
| Rank | Firm Name | DEI Score | % Women Partners | % Minority Partners | Retention Score | Notable Initiatives |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morrison & Foerster | 92 | 42% | 28% | 88 | Leadership Parity Program |
| 2 | Paul, Weiss | 89 | 38% | 31% | 85 | Diverse Equity Partners Initiative |
| 3 | WilmerHale | 87 | 45% | 24% | 90 | Work-Life Integration Excellence |
| 4 | Orrick | 85 | 40% | 26% | 82 | Early Career Support Hub |
| 5 | White & Case | 84 | 39% | 29% | 81 | Global Diversity Council |
| 6 | Latham & Watkins | 83 | 37% | 25% | 84 | Mentorship Plus Program |
| 7 | Cooley | 82 | 44% | 22% | 86 | Innovation in Inclusion |
| 8 | Perkins Coie | 81 | 41% | 23% | 83 | Pacific Northwest Leadership |
| 9 | Sidley Austin | 80 | 35% | 27% | 79 | Global DEI Excellence |
| 10 | Skadden | 79 | 33% | 26% | 80 | BigLaw Innovation Leader |
| 11 | Davis Polk | 78 | 36% | 24% | 81 | Wall Street Diversity Pioneer |
| 12 | Gibson Dunn | 77 | 34% | 25% | 78 | West Coast Leadership |
| 13 | Ropes & Gray | 76 | 38% | 21% | 82 | Life Sciences Diversity |
| 14 | Cleary Gottlieb | 75 | 35% | 23% | 79 | International Excellence |
| 15 | Sullivan & Cromwell | 74 | 32% | 22% | 77 | Traditional Firm Evolution |
| 16 | Cravath | 73 | 31% | 20% | 76 | White Shoe Transformation |
| 17 | Simpson Thacher | 72 | 33% | 21% | 78 | M&A Diversity Leadership |
| 18 | Kirkland & Ellis | 71 | 30% | 24% | 75 | Private Equity Inclusion |
| 19 | Wachtell | 70 | 29% | 19% | 74 | Boutique Excellence Model |
| 20 | Debevoise | 69 | 34% | 20% | 77 | Litigation Diversity Focus |
| 21 | Freshfields | 68 | 37% | 18% | 76 | European Integration Model |
| 22 | Allen & Overy | 67 | 35% | 17% | 75 | Global Magic Circle Leader |
| 23 | Clifford Chance | 66 | 36% | 16% | 74 | International Platform Excellence |
| 24 | Linklaters | 65 | 34% | 15% | 73 | London-NY Diversity Bridge |
| 25 | Slaughter and May | 64 | 32% | 14% | 72 | Traditional Excellence Evolution |
Rankings based on comprehensive analysis of 2023-2024 data. Scores out of 100 possible points.
Morrison & Foerster has consistently ranked as the #1 law firm for diversity, earning Law360's top ranking for the fourth consecutive year. With 42% women partners and 28% minority partners, MoFo demonstrates that diversity and profitability go hand-in-hand.
Named "Diverse Women Lawyers International Firm of the Year"
Paul, Weiss has made significant investments in diverse equity partnerships, with 31% minority partners—one of the highest percentages among elite firms. Their mentorship programs have become an industry model.
Featured in Yale Law Women's Top Firms Report
WilmerHale leads in creating sustainable career paths for women and minority attorneys through innovative work-life integration policies and flexible career advancement options.
Seramount's Best Law Firms for Women
Orrick's comprehensive early-career support system ensures diverse attorneys receive the mentorship, training, and opportunities needed to succeed from day one.
Featured in Law360's diversity rankings
"For women and minority attorneys, it's not just about who's hiring—it's about who's keeping, promoting, and supporting them. The firms that succeed in diversity are the ones that create clear paths to power, not just employment."
— Harrison Barnes, BCG Attorney SearchThe most reliable indicator of a law firm's true commitment to diversity is retention after the fourth year. This is when diverse attorneys typically face their first major promotion decisions and when many decide whether their long-term career prospects justify staying.
"Mentorship in law firms isn't just about career advice—it's about access to the informal networks that drive success. The best firms for diverse attorneys are those where mentorship creates real opportunities, not just good intentions."
— Harrison BarnesWhen interviewing with law firms, diverse candidates should move beyond surface-level diversity marketing to understand the reality of career advancement. Here are the essential questions:
The legal profession stands at a critical juncture in its diversity evolution. While progress has been made, the pace of change remains frustratingly slow for many women and minority attorneys seeking genuine opportunities for advancement and leadership.
This report's findings reveal a clear distinction between firms that merely talk about diversity and those that deliver measurable results. The top-ranked firms share common characteristics: transparent leadership, systemic support, long-term commitment, and cultural evolution.
The firms that excel in diversity consistently outperform their peers in client satisfaction, attorney retention, and profitability. Morrison & Foerster's four-year reign as the #1 diversity firm coincides with strong financial performance. Paul, Weiss's investment in diverse equity partnerships has strengthened their market position. WilmerHale's work-life integration leadership has made them a preferred destination for top diverse talent.
For underrepresented attorneys, the message is clear: pursue firms that recognize and act on your value, not just those that acknowledge your presence. The firms ranked in this report have demonstrated through measurable outcomes that diversity isn't just a moral imperative—it's a competitive advantage they actively cultivate and reward.
"A law firm that can't retain diverse attorneys is telling you everything you need to know about how it values difference. The firms that matter are the ones where diverse attorneys don't just survive—they lead, they thrive, and they shape the future of the profession."
— Harrison Barnes, Founder, BCG Attorney SearchThe data in this report provides a roadmap for both diverse attorneys seeking the right opportunities and for firms genuinely committed to diversity excellence. The path to meaningful change is clear; the choice to walk it remains with individual firms and attorneys.