Learn more from this guide: Midsize vs Small Law Firm Partner Compensation: Complete Firm Size Analysis 2025-2026

According to the new report, firm size remains one of the strongest indicators of partner compensation in today’s evolving legal landscape. Midsize firms—those with roughly 50 to 200 attorneys—show significant earning potential compared to smaller firms. Equity partners in midsize firms report median pay around $633,000, while non-equity partners earn about $275,000, with median bonuses reaching $25,000.

By contrast, partners in small firms, typically with fewer than 100 lawyers, earn lower averages. Equity partners make roughly $387,000, while non-equity partners bring in about $205,000, though bonus structures can be higher and more flexible, averaging $50,000.

The report also notes that solo practitioners exhibit the widest income range. Approximately one-third of solo lawyers earn $250,000 or more annually, and in lucrative practice areas like personal injury, nearly 60% report incomes exceeding $500,000. However, for solos in areas like trusts, estates, or general practice, income tends to be substantially lower due to limited scalability and rate constraints.

Boutique firms—with 10 to 50 attorneys—stand out as high performers. Specializing in niche, high-value areas such as intellectual property, white-collar defense, or securities litigation, these firms can rival or surpass the compensation levels of larger firms. Some elite boutiques report partner earnings ranging from $500,000 to over $2 million, driven by specialization, client loyalty, and lean operational models.

The analysis also highlights regional and practice-area variations. Partners in major markets like New York, California, and Washington, D.C., often command the highest compensation, especially in sectors such as technology, private equity, healthcare, and energy.

Compensation models differ sharply by firm size. Smaller firms still rely heavily on “eat-what-you-kill” systems, which reward individual rainmaking. Midsize firms are increasingly adopting hybrid or formula-based approaches that balance collaboration with merit. Larger firms lean toward formulaic models tied to performance metrics, emphasizing transparency and long-term equity.

BCG’s report concludes that strategic positioning and specialization—not just firm size—drive compensation growth. Solos and small firms can increase earnings through targeted practice areas, client development, and operational efficiency. Midsize firms should focus on formalized performance systems and strategic lateral recruitment to stay competitive.

As the legal market adapts to economic shifts and technological transformation, understanding these compensation trends will be vital for law firm leaders planning for 2025–2026.

Learn more from this guide: Midsize vs Small Law Firm Partner Compensation: Complete Firm Size Analysis 2025-2026

The post 2025–2026 Partner Compensation Analysis Reveals Striking Gaps Between Midsize and Small Law Firms first appeared on JDJournal Blog.

Whether you’re a seasoned associate aiming for a lateral move or a new graduate entering the legal market, this guide reveals the questions law firms consistently use to evaluate candidates—and how to answer them with confidence and precision.

Learn more from here: 50 Essential Law Firm Interview Questions Attorneys Must Master

What to Expect

The guide breaks down interview questions into five key categories:

1. General Law Firm Questions:
These establish the foundation of your professional identity and motivation. Be ready to address inquiries like:

• Why did you become a lawyer?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• Tell me about a challenge you’ve overcome.
  Interviewers use these questions to assess personality, communication skills, and long-term commitment to the profession.

2. BigLaw Interview Questions:
Large firms prioritize drive, endurance, and business awareness. Expect questions such as:

• How do you manage heavy workloads?
• Why do you want to work in BigLaw?
• How do you handle client demands?
  These probe your ability to thrive in a demanding environment and demonstrate commitment to high-stakes practice.

3. Boutique and Specialty Firm Questions:
Smaller firms look for niche expertise and initiative. Be prepared to answer:

• Why are you drawn to our practice area?
• How would you contribute to a smaller team?
  Such questions test adaptability, focus, and passion for specialized legal work.

4. Regional or Lifestyle Firm Questions:
Firms outside major markets value loyalty and cultural fit. Candidates should be able to explain:

• Why are you relocating to this area?
• How do you plan to integrate into the local legal community?
  These show your understanding of regional expectations and commitment to the firm’s culture.

5. Law Student and Summer Associate Questions:
For aspiring attorneys, firms seek enthusiasm and potential. Expect:

• Why did you choose your law school?
• What interests you about our firm?
• How do you approach teamwork and feedback?
  Answers should reflect self-awareness and eagerness to learn.

Why It Matters

Law firms aren’t just hiring skills—they’re hiring future colleagues. They evaluate communication, work ethic, and alignment with firm values. Mastering these 50 essential questions allows candidates to anticipate interview dynamics, respond strategically, and project genuine confidence.

Learn more from here: 50 Essential Law Firm Interview Questions Attorneys Must Master

The post Master the Law Firm Interview: 50 Essential Questions Every Attorney Should Know first appeared on JDJournal Blog.

Explore full guide here: The Ultimate Guide to Chicago Law Firms: Chicago BigLaw & Boutique Firm Guide: Best Law Firms and Attorney Job Trends

What’s Inside This Definitive Guide?

• BigLaw Titans of Chicago
  Spotlight on elite heavyweights such as Kirkland & Ellis, Baker McKenzie, Mayer Brown, and Winston & Strawn—leaders in global practice, market share, and influence in M&A, litigation, and corporate finance.
  
• Boutique Brilliance and Niche Expertise
  Firms like Bartlit Beck stand out for their specialized, agile litigation focus and boutique efficiency, attracting high-caliber talent and high-stakes matters.
  
• Trending BigLaw Insights
  Expect in-demand practice areas like tech-related IP, data privacy, and financial regulation. The Chicago job market thrives on specialized attorneys, and law firms are strategically aligning hires with this trend.
  

Why Chicago Matters for Legal Careers

• A City of Opportunities
  Chicago’s legal ecosystem is vast and diverse—combining white-shoe global firms, powerhouse boutiques, and high-growth practice areas—creating a dynamic, competitive environment for legal talent.
  BCG ATTORNEY SEARCH
• Strategic Edge for Associates and Firms
  For attorneys, navigating the Chicago market offers access to premier career platforms. For firms, cultivating niche capabilities and exclusive practitioner insight delivers a strong competitive edge.

Want to know which firm could be your best fit—BigLaw titan or boutique powerhouse? Explore full guide here: The Ultimate Guide to Chicago Law Firms: Chicago BigLaw & Boutique Firm Guide: Best Law Firms and Attorney Job Trends

The post Chicago’s Top Law Firms and Attorney Job Market Revealed first appeared on JDJournal Blog.

1. Robbins, Russell, Englert, Orseck, Untereiner & Sauber LLP

No of Attorneys: 38 

No of Yale Law School Graduates: 8

Robbins Russell is a litigation boutique that focuses on Supreme Court and appellate litigation, civil and criminal trial litigation, antitrust counseling and litigation and government investigations and enforcement proceedings. The firm boasts 8 Yale Law grads of a total of 38 attorneys. The firm’s roster of clients includes several Fortune 500 companies, defense contractors, hedge funds, financial institutions, technology companies, major accounting firms, and individual business executives and government officials.

While litigation is the name of the game at Robbins Russell, its practice breadth is broad. Among the areas the firm focuses on are appellate, antitrust, debtor-creditor, internal investigations, bankruptcy, internal investigations, government contracts, false claims act, I.P., government contracts, securities and shareholder litigation, professional malpractice, and white-collar.

2. Durie Tangri

No of Attorneys: 20

No of Yale Law School Graduates: 4

Founded by two Berkley Law classmates, Durie Tangri is proof that daydreams can become a reality. Founding partners Ragesh Tangri, Daralyn Durie, and Mark Lemley were all classmates at Boalt Hall and practiced together at Keker & Van Nest. In 2008 the trio left Keker and founded Durie Tangri. The firm got off to a fast start when they managed to convince Ticketmaster, Google, and biotech firm Genentech to sign on as clients on day one. Since then the San Francisco IP boutique has grown to just over 20 attorneys who focus on intellectual property, privacy, contract, civil litigation in the areas of professional liability, commercial matters, and class actions.

 Although relatively small, Durie Tangri represents big names including LinkedIn, Netflix, Google, Facebook Twitter, Fitbit, Zynga, and Microsoft.

3. Lewis Baach Kaufmann Middlemiss PLLC

No of Attorneys: 30

No of Yale Law School Graduates: 4

A globally recognized litigation boutique Lewis Baach Kaufmann Middlemiss specialize in international financial disputes, financial compliance, insurance and reinsurance advice white collar defense and investigations, and representation and cross-border commercial litigation. 

The firm represents leading corporations, financial institutions, insurers, family conglomerates, public officials and professionals facing complex, high-stakes problems, such as complex insolvency, financial disputes,insurance or reinsurance disputes, patent litigation, government relations initiatives or white collar criminal investigations or prosecutions. 

4. Goldman Ismail Tomaselli Brennan & Baum LLP

No of Attorneys: 40

No of Yale Law School Graduates: 4

With a national practice focused on litigation, Chicago based Goldman Ismail is a litigation boutique firm with offices in Dallas and Santa Monica. With 40 experienced lawyers with a proven track record of success in high stakes litigation, the firm succesfully manages overcoming strategic challenges that arise in complex cases requires lawyers who have been there before. 

Goldman Ismail specializes in large-scale cases: major product liability, mass tort, antitrust,intellectual property, and other high-stakes commercial litigation for large US and multinational companies. Well-known for their command of complex scientific and technical issues (four of their attorneys are also MDs) and are consistently called upon to try these difficult cases across the country before judges, juries, and arbitrators.

Their clients include some of the world’s preeminent Fortune Global 500 corporations based here and abroad. 

5.MoloLamken LLP

No of Attorneys: 36 

No of Yale Law School Graduates: 4

In less of a decade, with only 37 attorneys, of which 4 are Yale Law grads, MoloLamken has made a name for itself among the heavy hitters of boutique litigation shops. The litigation boutique focuses on white collar criminal defense, complex business litigation, and intellectual property.

Heavyweight laywers Jeffrey Lamken andSteven Molo took a gamble and left well-established BigLaw firms to start their own boutique in October of 2009, in the midst of the recession. MoloLamken had made its mark, winning six cases in the U.S. Supreme Court and ataining success in number of trial and appellate courts. The firm is known for taking on bet-the-farm cases andpushing cases toward trial, and meticilous attention to detail. MoloLamken have represented everyone from Fortune 500 companies to hedge funds, foreign banks,whistleblowers, Wall Street brokers, the former U.S. Attorney General, and foreign governments.

6.Hangley Aronchick Segal Pudlin & Schiller

No of Attorneys: 49

No of Yale Law School Graduates: 4

Philadelphia-based Hangley Aronchick Segal Pudlin & Schiller is well known for its trial and appellate work. With around 50 attorneys, of which 4 are Yale Law graduates, the firm has represented private individual clients, governmental bodies,universities, corporations, and regional professional firms.

Founded in 1994, Hangley Aronchick has developed practices in business and corporate law, family law, litigation, bankruptcy, education, insurance coverage, environmental law, antitrust, real estate, and tax and estates law.

The firm’s litigators have broad experience in family law, health care, government, commercial litigation, appellate law, antitrust, insurance, employment, media, and much more. 

 The firm hit upon the hot topic issue recently when it represented 25 gay and lesbian individuals in Pennsylvania and won the Whitewood v. Wolf case that overturned the Pennsylvania Defense of Marriage Act and, in turn, legalizing same-sex marriage in the Commonwealth.

The post Boutique Firms With the Most Yale Law School Graduates first appeared on JDJournal Blog.

1. Bird, Marella, Boxer, Wolpert, Nessim, Drooks, Lincenberg & Rhow, P.C.

Attorneys: 41

Harvard Law School Graduates: 13

Los Angeles-based Bird Marella is a boutique litigation firm visibly favored by Harvard Law Graduates, with 13 out 41 attorneys being from the top tier law school. It’s not a surprise why Harvard grads favor the firm, as it boasts some of the top-ranked attorneys in the nation, including Vincent Marella, Terry Bird, Gary Lincenberg, Ron Nessim, and Ekwan Rhow. 

Bird Marella’s attorneys work with complex civil and white-collar criminal litigation exclusively. The litigation firm is a “go-to” law firm for international, regional, and boutique law firms and individual lawyers needing advice and representation in matters concerning their legal practice. Well known for high-profile actions, precedent-setting appeals and industry-changing verdicts, the firm has earned it the reputation as “the best white-collar firm in town.”

2. Ivins Phillips & Barker

Attorneys: 29

Harvard Law School Graduates: 11

Exclusively involved in the practice of federal tax, benefits and compensation, and estate and gift tax law, Ivins, Phillips & Barker, boasts 11 Harvard Law Graduates out of 29 attorneys. Founded in 1935 by two of the original judges on the United States Tax Court, the boutique firm provides seasoned counsel in all main areas of tax law

3. Selendy & Gay PLLC

Attorneys: 45

Harvard Law School Graduates: 9

Selendy and Gay, a powerhouse litigation shop, employs 9 Harvard Law Grads out of 45 attorneys. The boutique firm focuses exclusively on high-stakes litigation and investigations, regularly working on cases that run the gamut from class action, antitrust, contract, RICO, manufacturing, securities, trade secrets, energy, consumer products, and insolvency disputes. 

Selendy and Gay was founded in 2018 by litigation heavyweights Jennifer Selendy, Phillipe Selendy, and Faith Gay, who decided to break away from Quinn Emmanuel and form their own litigation boutique. Jennifer Selendy- a Harvard Law alumnus, has been named an “Elite Boutique Trailblazer” by National Law Journal, while her husband Philippe Selendy has earned the title the “Man Who Took on Wall Street.” Faith Gay served as co-chair of Quinn’s National Trial Practice and was the chief of special prosecutions in the Eastern District of New York. 

Among the firm’s practices are appellate litigation, antitrust, securities, bankruptcy, insurance, products liability, private equity, complex commercial litigation, and white-collar. Its clients include Altaba, Cerberus Capital Management, E*Trade Financial Corporation, McKinsey & Company, and U.S. Bank.

4. Gibbs & Bruns LLP

Attorneys: 38

Harvard Law School Graduates: 9

Lone Star litigation boutique Gibbs & Bruns is famous for procuring settlements and verdicts of well into the millions and billions for major clients in various industries. The litigation boutique is also a go-to firm for Harvard Law alumni who make up more than one-quarter of the total number of attorneys.

Praised for its expertise in commercial disputes and its ability to represent clients on either side of the docket Gibbs & Bruns handles cases in an array of industries—though it is especially well known for its expertise in the financial, energy, and technology sectors. The firm contributes much of its success to its unique client relationships that often include risk sharing, alternative fee arrangements, and lean trial teams.

5. Roberts & Holland LLP

Attorneys: 32

Harvard Law School Graduates: 8

Just shy of three dozen attorneys, Roberts & Holland is not the biggest firm on the block, but that hardly stops this tax law boutique from bringing in top-notch work. Among the 32 attorneys spread across two offices, 8 are Harvard Law Graduates. Apart from tax law, the firm’s bread and butter, Roberts & Holland also counsels on employee benefits, bankruptcy, and executive compensation matters.

Attorneys at Roberts & Holland handle all kinds of tax issues that may arise. The firm has experience advising on international taxation, estate taxation, corporate taxation, real and state and local taxation, as well as handling litigation relating to tax issues. The firm also offers estate and personal tax planning, which includes international tax planning.

6. Fross Zelnick Lehrman & Zissu P.C.

Attorneys: 48

Harvard Law School Graduates: 7

A leading I.P. Boutique with just over 40 attorneys, 7 of which are Harvard Law graduates, Fross Zelnick Lehrman & Zissu is focused solely on intellectual property and related disputes. The firm regularly ranked at the best I.P. law firms lists has represented companies like Chanel, Tiffany & Co, LEGO, Movado, PepsiCo, The Gap, DC Comics, and New York Life Insurance Company, just to name a few.

 7. Morvillo, Abramowitz, Grand, Iason & Anello PC

Attorneys: 37

Harvard Law School Graduates: 7

New York City-based Morvillo Abramowitz has a roster of high-profile clients and exceptional trial experience.  The litigation boutique employs 37 attorneys of which 7 are Harvard Law graduates. The firm specializes in white-collar defense, securities enforcement, and government investigations as well as complex civil litigation.

8. Spiegel & McDiarmid

Attorneys: 24

Harvard Law School Graduates: 9

Founded in 1967, Spiegel & McDiarmid LLP represents the public side of the nation’s critical infrastructure industries, including telecommunications, transportation, and energy. The firm boasts 24 high profile attorneys, of which 9 are Harvard Law graduates.

The firm has been named one of the “Top Ranked Law Firms” by Martindale-Hubbell®, based on their number of AV-rated attorneys, and is ranked in Chambers USA and Chambers Global.

9. Yetter Coleman LLP

Attorneys: 36

Harvard Law School Graduates: 7

Yetter Coleman is a formidable Texan litigation boutique firm, adept at attaining complete reversals, no-payment judgments and sizeable settlements on million-dollar claims. Its selective hiring practices ensure that its league of just under 40 lawyers of which 7 are Harvard Law Graduates is comprised of nothing but the best trial and appellate talent.

Since its founding, the litigation boutique has attracted top trial and appellate attorneys and has been recognized as a National Boutique Litigation Firm of the Year Finalist by The American Lawyer in 2019. And the firm’s Appellate, I.P. Energy, and Commercial practices have been recognized by U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms.”

Yetter Coleman is particularly noted for its expertise in appellate litigation, business torts, contracts, intellectual property, antitrust, securities, and energy. Yetter Coleman’s clients have included  General Electric, Chevron, IBM, and American Airlines. 

10. Robbins, Russell, Englert, Orseck, Untereiner, & Sauber LLP

Attorneys: 38

Harvard Law School Graduates: 5

Robbins Russell is a litigation boutique that focuses on Supreme Court and appellate litigation, civil and criminal trial litigation, antitrust counseling and litigation and government investigations and enforcement proceedings. The firm boasts 5 Harvard Law, graduates of a total of 38 attorneys. The firm’s roster of clients includes several Fortune 500 companies, hedge funds, defense contractors, financial institutions, technology companies, major accounting firms, and individual business executives and government officials.

While litigation is the name of the game at Robbins Russell,  its practice breadth is broad. Among the areas the firm focuses on are appellate, antitrust, debtor-creditor, bankruptcy, internal investigations, false claims act, I.P., government contracts, securities and shareholder litigation, professional malpractice, and white-collar.

11. Horvitz & Levy LLP

Attorneys: 36

Harvard Law School Graduates: 5

Horvitz & Levy is an appellate litigation boutique with 36 attorneys of which 5 are Harvard Law Graduates. The firm’s lawyers have litigated thousands of federal and state appellate cases since 1990, including more than 130 appeals in the California Supreme Court. The firm’s roster of clients includes Honeywell, Columbia Pictures, Ford Motor Company, Monsanto, Chevron, DaimlerChrysler, Bertelsmann, Beverly Hills Unified School District, ExxonMobil, to name a few.

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The law firm of Zuckerman Spaeder LLP announced in recent days that Andrew E. Tomback joined the firm as a partner in its New York office.

Mr. Tomback has over twenty-five years of experience in business, private practice and government service, and handles a full range of civil and criminal litigation before the ?courts, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and various ?other regulators. He focuses his practice on litigations and investigations regarding federal securities ?laws, complex litigation, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), and international arbitrations.

Tomback’s addition follows the firm’s addition last month of Steven M. Cohen to lead the expansion and development of its New York office. Cohen was most recently Secretary to New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo. Earlier this week, established litigator and appellate lawyer Paul Shechtman also joined the firm.

Tomback, Cohen, and Shechtman all served together as assistant U.S. attorneys in the Southern District of New York. In addition, Tomback and Cohen both clerked for the Honorable Stanley Sporkin of the U.S. District Court for the District of ?Columbia.

Cohen was quoted as saying in a press release at the firm’s website: “Andy is an outstanding lawyer who comes to us with a history of success both in private practice and in government. Andy is not just a top-notch litigator, but he also gives us real depth in our New York office. This addition again demonstrates what we are building here in New York—a top flight team of lawyers that mirrors what Zuckerman Spaeder offers in Washington, DC and all its offices.”

Zuckerman Spaeder chairman Graeme W. Bush was quoted as saying: “Andy brings another dimension to our complex commercial litigation experience. His experience complements and enhances the full range of sophisticated criminal and commercial litigation capabilities for which our firm is known.”

Prior to entering private practice, Tomback served as deputy general counsel of the Resolution Trust Corporation (RTC). Mr. Tomback also ?held various positions in government agencies, where he was involved in many high-profile and complex cases. As a senior advisor to the undersecretary for enforcement at the Department of the Treasury, he played an integral role in the passage of the Brady Bill, the Assault Weapons Bill, and the 100,000 Cops provision of the 1994 Crime Bill. He also investigated the Waco tragedy and was a principal drafter of Treasury’s incisive report. As an assistant U.S. attorney in the criminal division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, Tomback tried 12 cases, all to conviction, and prevailed in over 20 appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

Tomback was quoted as saying: “I’m thrilled to be joining Zuckerman Spaeder’s expanding New York team. The firm has a well-deserved reputation for excellence in complex litigation, and this move gives me an ideal platform to grow my practice in New York and beyond.”

Zuckerman Spaeder is a national litigation boutique representing individual and institutional clients in high-stakes civil and commercial cases. Founded in 1975, the firm employs many of the nation’s leading lawyers. Among them are former federal prosecutors and public defenders, and attorneys who have served in congressional offices and federal agencies.

The post Zuckerman Spaeder LLP Continues Expansion of New York Office first appeared on JDJournal Blog.

Strauss previously served as a law clerk in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. Her practice focuses on representing corporations and individuals in business disputes. Iannarone represents both plaintiffs and defendants in commercial and appellate litigation and class actions.

Bondurant, Mixson & Elmore was founded in 1977 and has 30 attorneys in its Atlanta office.

The post Bondurant Mixson & Elmore Adds Two New Partners first appeared on JDJournal Blog.

This is the 45th US office of Jackson Lewis, and gives the firm an office in 30 different states. It has enjoyed explosive growth over the last two years, opening 12 new offices in that time in places like Cincinnati, Memphis and Albuquerque.

Founded in 1958, Jackson Lewis is a nationwide boutique, handling all aspects of employment law. The firm employs approximately 600 attorneys in 45 office around the US.

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