BigLaw Partner Pay Revealed: Equity vs. Non-Equity Earnings & ROI by Practice Area

(No Ratings Yet)

Loading...

BCG Attorney Search has released its latest BigLaw Partner Compensation Report: Equity vs. Non-Equity Earnings & ROI by Practice Area, offering the most detailed breakdown yet of partnership earnings, return on investment, and how compensation varies by practice specialty.

Read the full report here: BigLaw Partner Compensation Report: Equity vs. Non-Equity Earnings & ROI by Practice Area

What This Report Uncovers

Equity vs. Non-Equity Pay Gaps

The report confirms significant compensation disparities:

  

What

Where

Search Jobs

• Non-equity partners typically take home $400K–$750K annually BCG ATTORNEY SEARCH.
• Equity partners earn far more—ranging from $800K to $5 million or more, with the highest echelons at top firms pulling in $10M–$15M annually.
• A recent survey by Major, Lindsey & Africa places average equity partner pay at $1.93 million, while non-equity partners average $558K.

Rising Billing Rates and Business Originations

BigLaw billing rates are soaring, alongside partner revenue generation:

• The average partner billing rate has soared to $1,114 per hour, a 36% surge since 2022
• Originations—revenue brought in by partners—jumped 26%, now averaging around $3.4 million each

Practice Area & ROI Insights

While the full report details variations across practice areas, key trends include:

• Rainmaker partners in high-demand fields like corporate, litigation, and IP often command the highest payouts.
• ROI varies substantially based on one’s book of business, specialization, and revenue generation ability.

---

What It Means for Attorneys and Firms

For Lawyers:

• Generating strong originations is the most reliable path to equity partnership and top-tier compensation.
• Navigating lateral opportunities in practice areas like corporate M&A, IP, or high-stakes litigation may significantly boost ROI.

For Firms:

• Many BigLaw firms now utilize a two-tiered partnership model—deploying non-equity partners as strategic lever, while preserving equity for top rainmakers.
• Transparent pay systems correlate with higher reported partner satisfaction.

---

Final Thought

In today’s BigLaw economy, title alone isn’t enough. Compensation increasingly reflects the value an attorney brings through business origination and market-climbing expertise. This BCG report offers a roadmap to navigating that landscape effectively.

Curious how much BigLaw partners really make? Discover the latest insights on equity vs. non-equity earnings, ROI by practice area, and what it takes to reach the top tier of compensation.

Read the full report here: BigLaw Partner Compensation Report: Equity vs. Non-Equity Earnings & ROI by Practice Area