The American Lawyer‘s annual associates satisfaction survey
is here (full
version) and here (summary
ranking), and I’ll have some deeper analysis coming up. But
for now, my initial reaction as an armchair statistician and amateur
student of market research methodology at the feet of my wife, the marketing
executive, is that the viewing this ranking as "quantitative" research—statistically
reliable, reproducible, verifiable, etc.—may be the wrong view. Because
of the enormous variation year to year (a striking 15 of the
top 25 this year weren’t in the top 25 last year), I’m inclined
to view it more as "qualitative" research—meaning that
it’s a genuinely valuable exercise in exploring associates’ attitudes,
gaining insight into what matters for morale and associate development,
and similar issues, but not a definitive exercise in ranking. A
focus group, in other words, not a Gallup poll.
That said, I know enough about the good folks at The American Lawyer to
applaud their diligence and their ingenuity at undertaking this ambitious
and important project. I’d be curious to hear if any readers have
a similar initial take to mine.
