In a summer marked by opulent outings and serious professional contemplations, the 2025 class of summer associates has spoken. The luxurious experiences ranged from boat trips to Beyonce concerts, but it was the firms' stances on artificial intelligence (AI) integration and their reactions to political pressures that truly distinguished the top Biglaw firms in the eyes of their potential future lawyers.

This year, beyond the usual metrics of firm prestige and pay, summer associates weighed heavily the firms' approaches to incorporating AI into their daily operations. According to a survey by the American Lawyer, there was a noticeable divide among firms in their adoption of AI. While some firms were proactive, integrating AI tools to enhance efficiency and productivity, others seemed hesitant, sparking concerns among the associates about the future of entry-level legal positions.

Moreover, the political climate, particularly the actions and policies of the Trump administration, played a critical role in shaping the perspectives of these young legal minds. Approximately 65% of the surveyed associates reported that a firm's response to political and social pressures would influence their decision to accept a full-time position to a moderate to extensive degree.

Despite these concerns, the sentiment towards career stability within these firms remained strong. A staggering 91% of summer associates received or anticipated receiving a full-time offer, underlining the allure of a stable career pathway in prestigious firms, which often comes with an impressive weekly salary of $4,350.

Here are the top firms that stood out to summer associates in 2025:

1. Choate Hall & Stewart 2. Proskauer Rose 3. Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer 4. HSF Kramer 5. Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton 6. Blank Rome 7. Sheppard Mullin 8. Fried Frank 9. Morgan Lewis

These firms have not only managed to provide an engaging summer experience but also addressed bigger industry and societal issues in ways that resonated with the new generation of lawyers.

For a detailed look at the rankings and the factors influencing these decisions, you can view the full survey results and analysis [here](https://www.law.com/americanlawyer/2025/09/29/the-summer-associates-survey-sentiments-sail-or-sink-based-on-approach-to-2025s-biggest-challenges/).

Congratulations to the firms that have succeeded in earning the respect and commitment of their summer associates through both challenging and rewarding times.