Biglaw, Incisive Media, Partner Profits, Rankings

The AmLaw 100

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It’s time for another list! The AmLaw 100 is out and we finally get to see some financial numbers from the nation’s top law firms. The 2007 numbers have been totally obsolete since Lehman collapsed, so we’ve been waiting a long time for these numbers.

In terms of gross revenue, there is not much of a change within the top ten:

1. Skadden: $2,200,000,000
2. Baker & McKenzie: $2,188,000,000
3. Latham & Watkins: $1,923,000,000
4. Jones Day: $1,540,000,000
5. Sidley Austin: $1,489,500,000
6. White & Case: $1,467,000,000
7. Kirkland & Ellis: $1,400,000,000
8. Mayer Brown: $1,294,000,000
9. Weil: $1,231,000,000
10. Greenberg Traurig: $1,204,000,000

But we all know that gross revenue is a little uncivilized when it comes to prestige whoring among fellow practitioners. After the jump, let’s take a look at the top ten in terms of profits per partner.


The “WLRK Championship Belt” — given each year to the firm with the highest PPP — once again goes to Wachtell:

1. Wachtell: $4,010,000
2. Quinn Emanuel: $3,335,000
3. Boies, Schiller: $3,065,000
4. S&C: $2,940,000
5. Paul, Weiss: $2,655,000
6. Cravath: $2,520,000
7. Simpson Thacher: 2,475,000
8. Kirkland & Ellis: $2,470,000
9. Cleary: $2,400,000
10. Schulte Roth: $2,290,000

Most of the firms on this list took a hit to PPP in 2008. Bucking the trend and increasing PPP were Quinn (plus 10.8%), Paul Weiss (plus 2.3%), and Cleary (plus 11.6%).

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Damn, it feels good to be a gangsta litigator. Or associated in any way with Cleary Gottlieb.

The biggest hit on this list was Cravath’s 23.6% drop in profits per partner. But we knew that already. And it’s not cool to kick a firm while its down. I think we should leave Cravath alone, just leave it alone.

Obviously, there are all kinds of interesting numbers available here. But overall, the AmLaw 100 confirms what most observers feared. Amy Winehouse had a better 2008 than most American lawyers.

Anyway, I hand it over to the Quinn Remains guy and the rest of the commenters.

The Am Law 100 2009 [AmLaw Daily]

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Earlier: Partner Profit Watch: CravaTTTh?

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