I recently had the opportunity to lead a webcast focusing on the market for small law firm mergers. Alongside two experienced consultants and a law firm partner who this year brought her practice group from a small firm to a midsize one, I spent a good deal of time discussing how to evaluate one’s position in the marketplace.

What on earth does that have to do with the recently released Am Law 200? Much of what’s been written in this column each month comes back around to the importance of understanding that very thing: one’s place in the market.