Law firms are moving beyond just measuring the representation of women lawyers, implementing systemwide changes that aim to institutionalize gender diversity across all ranks. Female representation in the legal industry is the strongest at the lowest rungs of the hierarchy and drops off at partner and leadership levels.

There was relatively little movement at the top of the rankings. Immigration firms Berry Appleman & Leiden and Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy retained their spots at No. 1 and No. 2. Miami-based Kubicki Draper and New York-born Kaufman Borgeest & Ryan—both new entrants in 2021—remained at No. 3 and No. 4. Littler Mendelson, one of the few large firms at the top of the list, rounded out the top five.