If you can measure it, you can improve it. We didn’t coin that maxim (a variation is attributed to Lord Kelvin, the British physicist, among others) but it perfectly summarizes the intent of the A-List, our annual roundup of the best of the best—20 well-rounded law firms that shine for their financial performance, pro bono contributions, satisfaction of associates and diverse workplaces.
A perfect score is 1,200. Since we created the list in 2003, overall scores of the top 20 firms continue to improve, and thus so has the A-List average. (This year’s average: 1,045. In 2003, it was 994.) On our inaugural list, 11 firms had total scores of 1,000 or higher; this year, 18 do. All firms this year had triple-digit scores in each of the A-List’s four component categories. In 2003, just 13 did.
