Largest Law Firms in Illinois - 2009 Large Firm Survey

Despite the startling number of layoffs in recent months, this year’s survey of Illinois’ largest law firms shows law firms in a stronger position than might be expected. Certainly, because the cutoff date for the survey is Jan. 1, a number of the serious layoffs, particularly among the top 20 firms, are not reflected in these numbers.

Nonetheless, while it does indicate the beginnings of the trend that hit hard in the first five months of 2009, the overall picture is relatively healthy.

The survey was sent to the 200 largest firms in Illinois, which included firms with at least 19 lawyers. 

Visit this link to obtain the survey.

One hundred-fifteen firms responded, and of those firms - 21 completed the survey for the first time.

In total, 52 of the reporting firms grew, 30 lost numbers, and 12 stayed even.

Among Illinois’ 15 largest firms (those with more than 200 lawyers in Illinois), seven showed an increase in the number of lawyers in their Illinois offices. Kirkland & Ellis, which remains the largest firm in the city, grew by the largest amount - 10 percent - adding 24 partners and 38 associates; Sidley Austin added seven lawyers; McDermott Will & Emery grew by 12; Vedder Price by five; Baker & McKenzie grew by one lawyer; and Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom grew by 7 percent, from 198 to 212.

Those large firms that recorded the greatest declines, by percentage, were Bell, Boyd & Lloyd, which merged with K&L Gates: 8.4 percent, from 226 lawyers to 207. And Schiff Hardin also fell by 8.4 percent, from 283 to 259.

Among the firms in the range from 100 to 199 lawyers, 14 firms grew, seven lost lawyers, and one stayed even. The most dramatic increase occurred with Dykema, which grew from 90 to 132, a 47 percent increase. Jones Day grew by 7.6 percent, from 170 to 183. Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell saw the largest decline, from 180 lawyers to 149, a decrease of 17 percent.

In the 50 to 99 lawyers category, 15 firms grew and only five declined in numbers. Perkins Coie grew by 19 percent, from 63 to 75. Other increases were Much Shelist, from 73 to 81 (11 percent); Bryan Cave, from 57 to 64 (12.2 percent); and Quarles & Brady, from 54 to 60 (11 percent). The firm that lost the greatest percentage of lawyers was Leydig, Voit & Mayer, which fell from 77 to 66, a 14.2 percent drop.

Of the firms with less than 50 lawyers, 17 firms reported an increase, nine a decrease, and 10 stayed even.

Visit this link to obtain the survey.