Paths to Partnership Getting Longer
 February 2, 2004

The fast track to partnership may not be as fast as it used to be. We did a quick survey of our clients to check on what the party line was for the length of partnership tracks. Last year when we did the small survey, we found that, overwhelmingly, firms were saying the track was “7 to 9 years” and many firms said that even six years was possible. In our recent survey, the typical response was “eight years.” Not a single firm responded with a period of less than eight years and one-third of the firms said that most candidates make partner in a
period longer than eight years. While this is an unscientific survey, it is supported by a recent study by the Texas Lawyer which found that among associates promoted to partner on January 1, 2004, 43% graduated from law school in 1993 or earlier. Only 19% made partner in less than 8 years. The big exception is Jenkens & Gilchrist where the track is only seven years. In Washington, firms are increasing the use of “Counsel” as a stepping stone to partnership.

At Wilmer Cutler & Pickering, associates are considered for Counsel at 6 ½ years and come up for partnership consideration two years later. At Hogan & Hartson, associates become eligible for a “special” partnership level at 7 years with future promotion to full partnership on an unspecified track. Hogan uses the Counsel position for associates who are doing well but are not ready for partnership. The average seems to be consideration for Counsel or nonequity
partnership at 8 ½ years and consideration for equity partnership three years later.