|
Associate Billing Rates
April 4, 2004
| Class Year |
East |
Central |
West |
| 2002 |
$250 |
$165 |
$204 |
| 2001 |
$275 |
$176 |
$240 |
| 2000 |
$304 |
$187 |
$270 |
| 1999 |
$329 |
$206 |
$298 |
| 1998 |
$350 |
$220 |
$320 |
| 1997 |
$370 |
$238 |
$342 |
| 1996 |
$403 |
$252 |
$356 |
Law firms are finding increased associate rates as a “below the radar” means of boosting profits. Many general counsels focus on the highest partner and lowest associate rates, all but ignoring mid-level associates. The result, for some firms, is compression of partner rates and large rate jumps between first and second year associates. For benchmarking purposes, the chart is from a survey of law firms with over 100 attorneys late last year as published in the newsletter, Partner Report. | 
