Headcount in decline for a second year at US top 250 law firms

The largest 250 law firms in the US have seen their lawyer headcount drop for the second consecutive year. This year’s 1.1 per cent decrease in headcount represents 1400 lawyers, and follows on from last year’s 4 per cent drop. Together, the figures from the past two years are the largest decline in the 33-year history of the survey. Four firms shed more than 100 lawyers in the past year were Baker & McKenzie, White & Case, Latham & Watkins and Morgan Lewis & Bockius . Going in the opposite direction were Ropes & Gray, which saw its headcount increase by 21.6 per cent; and Baker Hostetler, which grew by 12.6 per cent.

Headcount in decline for a second year at US top 250 law firms jdjournal.com Tue, Nov 9, 2010