The US’ top 50 firms reaped $33bn (£17.54bn) in fees with average partner profits of $1.2m (£640,000) in 2004, according to Legal Week research which confirms a second year of double-digit growth at the US’ legal elite.

Legal Week’s third annual table of the top 50 US firms shows total billings last year reached $32.9bn (£17.5bn) up from 2003′s $28.84bn (£15.32bn), with average profits per equity partner (PPP) increasing by 10.2%, to hit $1.2m (£640,000).