No. 1. Baker Donelson :: 25 top paying companies

Baker Donelson

Average total pay: $319,779
For: Shareholder*
Best companies rank: 77

This Memphis-based law firm is making quite a debut this year as a Best Company to Work For: It's already leaped to the top of our highest-paid list.

The firm's 279 "shareholder" attorneys -- equivalent to partners elsewhere -- earn salaries averaging more than $300,000 a year, and that's before a nearly 20 grand bonus.

But it's not just the legal eagles who are well-compensated. Legal secretaries average a little under $50,000 a year, $1,400 higher than local market average, according to Baker Donelson; paralegals earn $2,600 more than the average of $56,760. And all staffers on board at least a year are eligible for a bonus of 2% of salary.

The firm also likes to bring staff together. Day begins with The Daily Docket, a 10- to 15-minute huddle of lawyers and staff in 10-person teams to update everyone on what's going on. There are three ground rules: 1) Start on time. 2) Finish on time. 3) Don't try to solve problems.

Rank: 77 (Previous rank: N.A.)

What makes it so great?
A strong commitment to diversity at this law firm founded in 1888 has lifted number of minority lawyers from 12 to 40; of 540 lawyers, 180 are women.

Headquarters: 165 Madison Avenue
Suite 2000
Memphis, TN 38103
2008 revenue ($ millions): 236
Website: www.bakerdonelson.com




Source: By Milton Moskowitz CNN dotcom