What motivates Lawyers?

Firm sizes surveyed break down as follows:
0-20 laywers 30%
21-50 lawyers 17%
51-75 lawyers 13%
76-150 lawyers 10%
151-300 lawyers 9%
300+ lawyers 21%

Partnership Issues

What partnership remuneration system is most effective
Lock step 9%
2Meritocracy 19%
Mix of lock step and meritocracy 45%
Unknown 27%

Of the lawyers surveyed, 78% feel that their partners deserve what they earn. The partnership remuneration system regarded as most successful is a mix between lock step and meritocracy, earning 45% of the vote (lock-step alone was seen as the least effective with only 9% of respondents feeling it is successful).

Do you believe the ratio of partner to fee earner is correct UK Firms Us Firms
Yes 44% 17%
Too high 32% 17%
Too low 10% 66%
Don't know 14% 0%

There is some disparity between the views of UK and US firms on the ratio of partner to fee earner. Almost half (44%) of lawyers at UK firms feel the ratio is correct vs 17% of lawyers at US firms who see the ratio as too low. In contrast, 33% of UK lawyers believe the ratio of fee earner to secretary is correct whereas only 17% of lawyers at US firms feel the same way.

If you are not a partner, what are your partnership prospects Male Female UK Firms US Firms
Excellent 12% 13% 11% 20%
Positive 55% 44% 48% 80%
Not good 22% 29% 28% 0%
None 12% 15% 14% 0%

qualified, work part-time, did not attend Oxbridge, not political enough and too many partners already.

Does your firm have fast track partnership opportunities UK Firms US Firms
Yes 17% 50%
No 83% 50%


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