Special Reports

The Am Law 100 2012

All the key financial metrics for The Am Law 100 rose by single digits last year: gross revenue, revenue per lawyer and profits per partner. Eighty-three firms posted revenue gains, 25 more than in the prior year. Firms reversed course and increased head count. Even equity partners grew their ranks on average after two years of flat or negative growth. But as a rule, income inequality continued to plague the rankings.

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The NLJ 250

After three years of flat to negative growth, 2011 was when the nation's 250 largest law firms started getting bigger again. Headcount was up a collective 2,132 lawyers, for a growth rate of 1.7 percent -- in line with the average increase during the past 10 years, but well below the 4 to 5 percent growth of 2005-2008. Growth was far from universal in 2011; while 118 firms on the list added lawyers, 109 shrank and eight were flat.

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Go-To Law Schools

The economy began to rebound in 2011, but that wasn't enough to get firms to rev up associate hiring. We rank the top 50 law schools by percentage of 2011 J.D. grads who took jobs at NLJ 250 firms. We also identify the schools where NLJ 250 firms recruited the most graduates and the law schools that saw the most alumni promoted to partner in 2011.

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The Am Law 200 2012

In a year when The Am Law 100 posted tepid year-over-year financial gains, Second Hundred firms bested their bigger rivals on most counts but still fell short on the bottom line. And while the two groups had comparable profit margins, the Second Hundred had less success turning top-line growth into profits. The culprits? Steep expenses and a sharp drop in leverage.

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Illustration:Tavis Coburn

The Global 100 2011

Since the early days of our survey, which ranks the world's largest law firms by revenue, international reach and profit have seemingly grown hand in hand. But when one examines the performance of individual firms in 2010 or charts their performance over time, it is unclear if there is truly a causal relationship between global expansion and financial success. Star performers can be found among the most stubborn homebodies and the most persistent imperialists.

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The Power of Hope

As Congress considers deep cuts in legal assistance to the poor, The National Law Journal examines the impact of legal aid programs on the clients they serve and the political issues surrounding the present funding crisis. As these stories demonstrate, the need is great, and cases run the gamut — from domestic violence to home foreclosures to medical claims. In all, a common theme emerges: Legal aid, for these clients, was their only hope.

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The Survey of Law Firm Economics

This year, for the first time, The National Law Journal has partnered with ALM Legal Intelligence to bring readers results from The Survey of Law Firm Economics. Taken by 187 firms -- most with fewer than 150 attorneys -- the survey provides a rare glimpse into the financial health of firms outside the Am Law 200 and the NLJ 250. How did those firms fare? Although their revenues remained flat during 2009, cuts in expenses helped some firms eke out small increases in profits.

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Who Represents Corporate America

Our annual survey lists the law firms for Fortune 100 companies in five categories: corporate, contracts litigation, labor litigation, torts litigation and intellectual property. Plus, in-house counsel say they are collaborating more with law firms on fee arrangements; 17-lawyer Potter Minton of Tyler, Texas, is a go-to firm for major corporations seeking patent defense work in the plaintiff-friendly Eastern District of Texas; and Microsoft Corp. looks to some niche boutique law firms for specialty work.

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The American Lawyer Student Edition

A Chill in the Air
Smaller classes, shorter stints, and slimmer job prospects made it hard for this summer's associates to completely enjoy their time in the sun. charged with liquidating the estate of Bernard L. Madoff's investment firm has recovered some $1.5 billion in assets and hopes to begin distributing the money to customers before the end of the year, according to court papers. Despite Irving H. Picard's progress, he has come under fire from investors due to his "cash in/cash out" approach to claims.

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Sentencing Watch

As courts continue to struggle with how to apply the federal sentencing guidelines after the U.S. Supreme Court's 2005 Booker ruling, the U.S. Department of Justice -- concerned about wide disparities in sentences for crimes ranging from financial fraud to child pornography -- has called for a comprehensive review of the state of federal sentencing. Stay tuned to our special report for the latest in sentencing trends, analysis, and major rulings on sentence enhancements and mandatory minimums.

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Suing Toyota

Dozens of lawsuits against Toyota Motor Corp. claiming unintended acceleration of its vehicles are moving along in state courts. Discovery in these cases could help plaintiffs’ counsel in the federal multidistrict litigation. Also in this special report: why federal enforcement of safety standards failed, how lobbyists for Toyota are scrambling to rebuild its image with lawmakers, and who the key players are in the ongoing litigation against Toyota. Plus: our list of the lawsuits that have been filed so far.

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