Law firms in the Sunday Times 100 Best Companies

Kingsley Napley scooped the top spot for law firms in this year’s Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For list.

The London-based firm, which has 365 staff, came in at number 15, up from 23 in last year’s rankings. The prestigious list covers businesses in all sectors with 250-3,000 employees.

Manchester firm JMW Solicitors was next, appearing for the first time in the list at number 25. A spokesman said the firm was ‘thrilled’. It was followed by London’s Mishcon de Reya at 30 (it ranked 24^th last year) and Exeter-based Stephens Scown at 33 (16^th last year). London’s Mills & Reeve placed 56th (up from 60^th last year), London firm Stewarts at 60 (58^th last year), Bath-based Royds Withy King at 62 (30^th last year) and Bates Wells Braithwaite, appearing for the first time at number 89.

The prestigious rankings are based on the views of employees within each business, expressed anonymously across a range of criteria. Appearance on the prestigious list is widely viewed as a sign the business is in robust health with engaged employees.

Law firms also scored well in the Sunday Times 100 Best Small Companies list, for those with 50-250 employees. Bishop’s Stortford firm Nockolds Solicitors, which has 140 employees, scooped 24^th place (23^rd last year), while Preston-based Harrison Drury Solicitors, which has 92 employees, took 98^th place (37^th last year).