Combined partner count across five of the largest firms in Australia has shrunk by 134 (14%) over the last five years according to figures obtained by Legal Week, demonstrating the impact of domestic economic uncertainty and increased competition from international firms.

The figures also show that between 2009 and 2014 the total non-partner lawyer count across Clayton Utz, Allens, Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF), Ashurst Australia and King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) shrank by 20%.