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The 2012 Law Firm Billing Survey

Top partners at major law firms continue to command premium hourly prices for their services.

The National Law Journal

December 17, 2012

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2012 Billing Survey


In this year's edition of our annual survey of billing rates nationwide, we look at the continuing tug-of-war between law firms and their corporate clients over hourly billing rates, and how the slow economic recovery plays a role. Among the findings from our survey: The highest rate was $1,285, charged by a single real estate investment trust partner in Locke Lord's Dallas office. The lowest hourly rate for associates was $130 at Cincinnati-based Dinsmore & Shohl. Plus, a nationwide sampling of law firm billing rates, and billing rates by associate class.

The best still charge the most
For high-end legal work, large law firms remain in the driver's seat
over hourly rates.

 

BY THE NUMBERS

A nationwide sampling of NLJ 350 billing rates
We sampled 55 law firms from our survey of the nation's largest law firms by headcount about the prices their lawyers are charging clients by the hour.

Associate billing rates
A sampling of rates charged by law firms that establish them by associate class.
 



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Firms mentioned

    
  • Dinsmore & Shohl
  • Locke Lord

Key categories

    
  • Law Firm Rates and Billing Practices

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