Bristol-based Burges Salmon has claimed top spot as the UK’s happiest law firm for an unprecedented fifth consecutive year in RollOnFriday’s Best Law Firms to Work At 2025 survey, scoring an impressive 85% satisfaction rating.
Staff praised the firm’s “unmatched” culture and absence of significant weak spots rollonfriday, with one junior lawyer notably declaring they’d experienced zero “Sunday Scaries” across 3.5 years at the firm. The survey revealed widespread enthusiasm at all levels, with lawyers highlighting the collegial atmosphere and superior work-life balance compared to London rivals.
Managing Partner Roger Bull described the achievement as “genuinely extraordinary” rollonfriday, noting no firm had previously maintained such consistency. He emphasised that culture represents a daily commitment rather than mere corporate messaging.
However, the glowing feedback wasn’t universal. Some ex-employees suggested the firm benefits from limited Bristol competition and questioned whether compensation matches London-level hours occasionally worked. One former senior associate characterised the culture messaging as propaganda.
When asked what would prompt departure, most Burges Salmon lawyers responded “nothing” – though one candidly admitted she’d only leave for substantial London money before likely “crawling back to BS quickly”.
The firm’s dominance in workplace satisfaction rankings appears firmly established, with its people-focused approach continuing to resonate strongly across its workforce.
