The 2023 Am Law 100

The Am Law 100 is the definitive ranking of the 100 largest law firms in the United States. Published each May through the efforts of Law.com Compass and The American Lawyer editorial team, this report offers firm-by-firm data on key financial metrics and deep analysis of the cohort's performance and what it means for the rest of the market. Information includes an examination of revenue, profits, per-lawyer metrics, head count growth and much more.

The 2023 Am Law 100 explores the financial, market and management trends that led to declines in certain performance indicators for these firms in 2022. While still achieving strong returns, the group as a whole took a step back from of the historic highs of 2020 and 2021. Firms were able to post gains in gross revenue, in large part due to rate increases and head count growth, but with demand constricting part-way through the year, profits and other per-lawyer metrics took a hit.

Below you will find our various rankings of The 2023 Am Law 100 along with several pieces of analysis of the market. The past three years of Am Law 100 reports can be found at the bottom of this page.

am law 100: Ranking Categories

Gross Revenue

Despite economic headwinds and softening demand, The Am Law 100 was able to post gains in gross revenue in 2022.

Revenue Per Lawyer

The gains in gross revenue could not overcome the head count growth among The Am Law 100, leading to a decline in RPL.

Profits Per Equity Partner

The Am Law 100 could not sustain in 2022 the historic gains in per-partner profits it enjoyed in 2021.

Profits Per Lawyer

This metric saw the biggest decline across The Am Law 100 of any we track as firms had more and higher-paid attorneys.

Average Partner Compensation

This metric saw a larger decline than profits per equity partner, as all partners saw a dip in compensation in 2022.

By the Numbers

In this data illustration, we depict the highlights of results for the entire cohort and detail just how different these 100 firms are from one another.

am law 100 Insights & Analysis

April 18, 2023

A Step Back, But Still Ahead? An Analysis of The 2023 Am Law 100

Patrick Smith

While 2022 was a return to reality, 2023 may be the real challenge.

April 18, 2023

Can Rates Make Up for Expense Growth Much Longer?

Dan Roe

Rates and expenses have a limited window to rise in unison before law firms have to turn to innovation.

April 18, 2023

Power Ranking the Am Law 100: Who Won Out Through the Pandemic?

Jae Um

A retrospective on law firm pandemic performance sheds light on the future, and hints at a new model of success.

April 18, 2023

The Long View: A 10-Year Look at Key Financial Metrics

Gina Passarella Cipriani

A multiyear look into the evolution of law firm financials highlights some interesting trends in their approach to growth.

April 18, 2023

The Am Law 100 Shared More of the Wealth in 2022, but It Won't Last For Long

Andrew Maloney

Equity tiers saw a surprising rise among The Am Law 100 in 2022, but the industry doesn't expect a shift in leverage to continue.

April 18, 2023

Back to Reality: The 2023 Am Law 100 Super Rich

Justin Henry

Reaching the upper-echelon thresholds of revenue per lawyer and profit per lawyer proved more elusive for firms in The Am Law 100 this year.

April 18, 2023

Can 100%+ Realization Be Attained?

Andrew Maloney

Amid industry-wide dip, some Am Law 100 firms soared.

April 18, 2023

Private Equity Shift: Big Law May Be Losing Its Golden Goose

Paul Hodkinson

Reliance on work that propelled firms into the upper echelons of the industry may no longer be a safe bet. But there are other ways to approach private capital.