Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft has announced a 28% surge in partner profits, as the New York firm sets the pace for a year of blistering financial results from the US’ top firms.

Figures released to Legal Week show the firm’s average partner profits in 2003 rising to $1,595,000 (£881,000), against $1,250,000 (£690,000) the previous year. At the same time, revenue increased 12% to $353m (£195m).