The good news is that 'friendliness' is our top-scoring Lex 100 category, with two firms at the top of the tree achieving perfect scores of ten and many others attaining scores of nine and above. Friendliness does not seem to be confined to one type of firm, with London, regional, big and small all appearing here. US firms have performed particularly well, with no fewer than seven in the table. The common theme with these firms and with other high scorers is often a small, close-knit group of trainees who feel close to each other and to other colleagues in their firms. At top scorer Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, this friendliness stood out from day one: 'having done a vacation scheme at Debevoise, I was immediately taken by how friendly, genuine and intelligent everyone here seemed', while another comments 'the working atmosphere comprises a perfect blend of friendliness and professionalism'. At joint top scorer Payne Hicks Beach, trainees are quick to point out that people are 'friendly from top to bottom', and one trainee comments that the best thing about the firm is 'the people, everyone is very nice and people are caring. There is a very human element to working here'. IP specialist Bristows comes third in the table – people here are 'genuinely nice and great to work with', while US finance firm Latham & Watkins gets rave reviews from trainees for its 'intimate, friendly, collegiate atmosphere' where everyone is 'incredibly helpful' and for being 'down-to-earth and friendly, while at the same time a dynamic, international market leader'. TLT leads the gang of four Bristol firms appearing in the table. The key to the 'fantastic' atmosphere here, suggests one trainee, is that 'partners, secretaries, solicitors and trainees all sit together in open plan and everyone is very friendly and supportive'. Burges Salmon, Veale Wasbrough and Bevan Brittan make up the other friendly Bristol firms, while media and property specialists Olswang and top-notch corporate firm Travers Smith LLP are notable entries from London. As with the work/life balance table, Southern firms tend to dominate this year, with no firms from the North making the top 20 and only Nottingham's Browne Jacobson LLP (again) and new entry Martineau from Birmingham flying the flag for the Midlands.