Changes in partnership structure is a well-established trend across the global legal market, impacting firms of all sizes. Central to this shift has been the rise of non-equity partners, now a recognizable industry staple.
Over the last ten years, the number of non-equity partners across the Am Law 200 has increased by 36% from 17,086 to 23,166. On average, non-equity partners now represent a 44% share of the overall partnership at Am law 200 firms. This contrasts with 38% in 2009. In 2018 alone, 46% of Am Law 200 firms increased the proportion of non-equity partners within their overall partnership.
