NALP Bulletin, February 2003
Law firms represented in the 2002-2003 NALP Directory of Legal Employers collectively reported demographic information on more than 49,000 partners and over 61,000 associates, senior attorneys, and staff attorneys. Minorities accounted for 3.71% of partners and just over 14% of associates. The comparable figures for women were 16.3% and 42.4%, respectively.
Underlying these averages are well over 1,200 individual law offices, with percentages starting at zero and ranging upward. Thus, an additional perspective on the presence of women and minorities is offered by examining how many offices have relatively high representation, some representation, or no representation of women and minorities.
The charts below show these figures for the 38 cities and seven states (excluding the 38 cities) with the most Directory listings.
Nationwide, a plurality of offices (44%) had no minority partners, but about 22% reported minority representation of 6% or more. Among cities, the percentage of offices with 6% or more minority partners ranged from none in Cincinnati, Denver, Hartford, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Nashville, Philadelphia, Richmond, St. Louis, and Wilmington, to half or more in Los Angeles, Miami, and San Jose. Cities with the highest proportion of offices reporting no minority partners include Cincinnati, Hartford, Raleigh/Durham, and Wilmington.
About one in nine offices reported having no women partners. Almost one-third of offices reported that 19% or more of partners were women. In Miami, Philadelphia, Raleigh/Durham, San Diego, and San Francisco, half or more of offices reported 19% or more of partners were women. Interestingly, it was an entirely different group of cities — Chicago, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Richmond, and St. Louis — where every reporting office had at least some women partners.
About 19% of offices reported no minority associates, but about 30% reported minority representation of 16% or more. Among cities, offices in Cincinnati, Hartford, and Kansas City were most likely to report no minority associates. Offices with 16% or more minority representation were most plentiful in Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco, and San Jose.
Offices where fewer than one-third of associates were women were most common in Charlotte and Richmond. In contrast, few or none of the offices in Boston, Indianapolis, and Newark reported less than one-third women associates. Cities most likely to have offices where women accounted for half or more of associates include Cincinnati, Denver, Hartford, Newark, and San Francisco.
Larger firms (251 or more attorneys) are more likely to have no women partners than smaller firms (250 or fewer attorneys). However, smaller firms are more likely to have no minority partners and associates.
Compared with data for 2000, the percentage of offices in the "none" categories has decreased — the percentage of offices with no minority partners decreased from 48% to 43.5%, and the percentage of offices with no minority associates decreased from 23.4% to 19.3%. The percentage of offices with no women partners changed only slightly, from 12.4% to 11.5%.
Representation of Women and Minorities among
Law Firm Partners — 2002
(percent of offices in each range of
representation)
| WOMEN PARTNERS AS % OF TOTAL |
MINORITY PARTNERS AS % OF TOTAL |
# of Offices | |||||||
| None | 0.01- 13% |
13.01- 18.99% |
19% or More |
None | 0.01- 3% |
3.01- 5.99% |
6% or More | ||
| Nationwide | 11.5 | 27.0 | 30.6 | 30.9 | 43.5 | 15.4 | 19.5 | 21.6 | 1,264 |
| By Firm Size: | |||||||||
| 100 or fewer | 9.0 | 30.6 | 28.1 | 32.4 | 54.7 | 11.5 | 16.9 | 16.9 | 278 |
| 101-250 | 9.3 | 28.5 | 33.8 | 28.5 | 41.3 | 25.6 | 19.2 | 13.9 | 281 |
| 251-500 | 12.1 | 22.2 | 33.0 | 32.7 | 42.1 | 14.5 | 18.9 | 24.6 | 297 |
| 501+ | 14.4 | 26.9 | 28.4 | 30.3 | 38.5 | 11.8 | 21.8 | 27.9 | 408 |
| By City: | |||||||||
| Atlanta | 9.7 | 32.3 | 29.0 | 29.0 | 32.3 | 19.4 | 25.8 | 22.6 | 31 |
| Austin | 20.0 | 15.0 | 25.0 | 40.0 | 50.0 | 5.0 | 10.0 | 35.0 | 20 |
| Baltimore | 11.1 | 11.1 | 55.6 | 22.2 | 0.0 | 55.6 | 22.2 | 22.2 | 9 |
| Boston | 7.4 | 18.5 | 48.1 | 25.9 | 44.4 | 14.8 | 33.3 | 7.4 | 27 |
| Charlotte | 33.3 | 53.3 | 6.7 | 6.7 | 60.0 | 20.0 | 6.7 | 13.3 | 15 |
| Chicago | 0.0 | 25.8 | 45.2 | 29.0 | 35.5 | 27.4 | 24.2 | 12.9 | 62 |
| Cincinnati | 33.3 | 33.3 | 33.3 | 0.0 | 77.8 | 11.1 | 11.1 | 0.0 | 9 |
| Cleveland | 0.0 | 45.5 | 36.4 | 18.2 | 18.2 | 45.5 | 9.1 | 27.3 | 11 |
| Columbus | 16.7 | 41.7 | 25.0 | 16.7 | 41.7 | 8.3 | 25.0 | 25.0 | 12 |
| Dallas | 9.4 | 28.1 | 15.6 | 46.9 | 40.6 | 21.9 | 18.8 | 18.8 | 32 |
| Denver | 16.7 | 11.1 | 33.3 | 38.9 | 50.0 | 22.2 | 27.8 | 0.0 | 18 |
| Detroit area | 15.4 | 15.4 | 30.8 | 38.5 | 23.1 | 23.1 | 38.5 | 15.4 | 13 |
| Hartford | 27.3 | 18.2 | 27.3 | 27.3 | 90.9 | 0.0 | 9.1 | 0.0 | 11 |
| Houston | 10.3 | 20.7 | 41.4 | 27.6 | 41.4 | 3.4 | 24.1 | 31.0 | 29 |
| Indianapolis | 0.0 | 33.3 | 33.3 | 33.3 | 66.7 | 16.7 | 16.7 | 0.0 | 6 |
| Kansas City area | 9.1 | 18.2 | 54.5 | 18.2 | 63.6 | 18.2 | 18.2 | 0.0 | 11 |
| Los Angeles | 6.3 | 24.1 | 32.9 | 36.7 | 29.1 | 5.1 | 13.9 | 51.9 | 79 |
| Miami | 10.0 | 25.0 | 15.0 | 50.0 | 15.0 | 0.0 | 5.0 | 80.0 | 20 |
| Milwaukee | 11.1 | 0.0 | 88.9 | 0.0 | 44.4 | 55.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 9 |
| Minneapolis/St. Paul | 11.1 | 22.2 | 50.0 | 16.7 | 33.3 | 44.4 | 11.1 | 11.1 | 18 |
| Nashville | 12.5 | 25.0 | 50.0 | 12.5 | 37.5 | 25.0 | 37.5 | 0.0 | 8 |
| New York City | 6.3 | 50.0 | 26.6 | 17.2 | 34.6 | 18.1 | 30.7 | 16.5 | 127 |
| Newark | 42.9 | 28.6 | 28.6 | 0.0 | 57.1 | 28.6 | 0.0 | 14.3 | 7 |
| Orange Co., CA | 26.1 | 26.1 | 26.1 | 21.7 | 56.5 | 8.7 | 21.7 | 13.0 | 23 |
| Philadelphia | 4.8 | 14.3 | 28.6 | 52.4 | 33.3 | 47.6 | 19.0 | 0.0 | 21 |
| Phoenix | 0.0 | 23.1 | 38.5 | 38.5 | 30.8 | 7.7 | 53.8 | 7.7 | 13 |
| Pittsburgh | 0.0 | 33.3 | 41.7 | 25.0 | 66.7 | 16.7 | 8.3 | 8.3 | 12 |
| Portland, OR | 23.1 | 15.4 | 30.8 | 30.8 | 61.5 | 15.4 | 7.7 | 15.4 | 13 |
| Raleigh/Durham | 11.1 | 33.3 | 0.0 | 55.6 | 88.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 11.1 | 9 |
| Richmond | 0.0 | 37.5 | 50.0 | 12.5 | 12.5 | 25.0 | 62.5 | 0.0 | 8 |
| San Diego | 6.3 | 37.5 | 6.3 | 50.0 | 37.5 | 12.5 | 25.0 | 25.0 | 16 |
| San Francisco | 10.2 | 10.2 | 14.3 | 65.3 | 30.6 | 2.0 | 28.6 | 38.8 | 49 |
| San Jose area | 18.5 | 22.2 | 18.5 | 40.7 | 37.0 | 0.0 | 14.8 | 48.1 | 27 |
| Seattle area | 17.2 | 10.3 | 31.0 | 41.4 | 34.5 | 17.2 | 20.7 | 27.6 | 29 |
| St. Louis | 0.0 | 0.0 | 75.0 | 25.0 | 37.5 | 62.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 8 |
| Tampa/St. Petersburg | 25.0 | 8.3 | 58.3 | 8.3 | 33.3 | 16.7 | 25.0 | 25.0 | 12 |
| Washington, D.C. | 9.9 | 22.1 | 37.4 | 30.5 | 36.6 | 12.2 | 23.7 | 27.5 | 131 |
| Wilmington | 11.1 | 55.6 | 22.2 | 11.1 | 88.9 | 0.0 | 11.1 | 0.0 | 9 |
| By State: | |||||||||
| California | 12.5 | 37.5 | 6.3 | 43.8 | 37.5 | 6.3 | 18.8 | 37.5 | 16 |
| Florida | 9.5 | 23.8 | 23.8 | 42.9 | 61.9 | 9.5 | 4.8 | 23.8 | 21 |
| Michigan | 9.1 | 36.4 | 18.2 | 36.4 | 45.5 | 36.4 | 0.0 | 18.2 | 11 |
| New Jersey | 5.6 | 38.9 | 27.8 | 27.8 | 61.1 | 16.7 | 16.7 | 5.6 | 18 |
| New York | 0.0 | 33.3 | 46.7 | 20.0 | 73.3 | 20.0 | 0.0 | 6.7 | 15 |
| Texas | 25.0 | 25.0 | 8.3 | 41.7 | 50.0 | 8.3 | 0.0 | 41.7 | 12 |
| Virginia | 40.0 | 36.0 | 8.0 | 16.0 | 76.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 16.0 | 25 |
Note: The associates category includes senior and staff attorneys. The Detroit area includes offices in Bingham Farms, Bloomfield Hills, and Southfield. The Kansas City area includes offices in Leawood and Overland Park. Orange County includes offices in Costa Mesa, Irvine, and Newport Beach. Portland, OR, includes offices in Lake Oswego. The San Jose area includes offices in Menlo Park, Palo Alto, San Jose, and Sunnyvale. The Seattle area includes offices in Bellevue and Kirkland. State information excludes any cities listed separately. Foreign offices are excluded from these analyses. Source: 2002-2003 NALP Directory of Legal Employers.
Representation of Women and Minorities among
Law Firm Associates — 2002
(percent of offices in each range of
representation)
| WOMEN ASSOCIATES AS % OF TOTAL |
MINORITY ASSOCIATES AS % OF TOTAL |
# of Offices | |||||||
| Up to 33% |
33.01- 40.99% |
41- 49.99% |
50% or More |
None | 0.01- 9% |
9.01- 15.99% |
16% or More | ||
| Nationwide | 20.5 | 25.3 | 26.2 | 27.9 | 19.3 | 20.3 | 30.6 | 29.8 | 1,262 |
| By Firm Size: | |||||||||
| 100 or fewer | 25.5 | 25.5 | 16.5 | 32.4 | 35.6 | 22.3 | 21.6 | 20.5 | 278 |
| 101-250 | 23.5 | 23.1 | 27.0 | 26.3 | 17.4 | 29.2 | 31.7 | 21.7 | 281 |
| 251-500 | 16.3 | 23.7 | 26.1 | 33.9 | 21.7 | 19.0 | 30.2 | 29.2 | 295 |
| 501+ | 18.1 | 27.9 | 32.3 | 21.8 | 7.8 | 13.7 | 36.3 | 42.2 | 408 |
| By City: | |||||||||
| Atlanta | 22.6 | 25.8 | 29.0 | 22.6 | 6.5 | 16.1 | 38.7 | 38.7 | 31 |
| Austin | 20.0 | 25.0 | 35.0 | 20.0 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 30.0 | 50.0 | 20 |
| Baltimore | 11.1 | 33.3 | 33.3 | 22.2 | 22.2 | 44.4 | 33.3 | 0.0 | 9 |
| Boston | 3.7 | 14.8 | 44.4 | 37.0 | 14.8 | 29.6 | 55.6 | 0.0 | 27 |
| Charlotte | 46.7 | 20.0 | 20.0 | 13.3 | 26.7 | 53.3 | 6.7 | 13.3 | 15 |
| Chicago | 19.4 | 21.0 | 24.2 | 35.5 | 16.1 | 30.6 | 40.3 | 12.9 | 62 |
| Cincinnati | 12.5 | 37.5 | 0.0 | 50.0 | 37.5 | 37.5 | 25.0 | 0.0 | 8 |
| Cleveland | 27.3 | 18.2 | 54.5 | 0.0 | 27.3 | 54.5 | 18.2 | 0.0 | 11 |
| Columbus | 33.3 | 33.3 | 16.7 | 16.7 | 33.3 | 33.3 | 25.0 | 8.3 | 12 |
| Dallas | 31.3 | 21.9 | 12.5 | 34.4 | 12.5 | 25.0 | 56.3 | 6.3 | 32 |
| Denver | 33.3 | 11.1 | 11.1 | 44.4 | 11.1 | 33.3 | 27.8 | 27.8 | 18 |
| Detroit area | 15.4 | 30.8 | 23.1 | 30.8 | 15.4 | 23.1 | 46.2 | 15.4 | 13 |
| Hartford | 18.2 | 0.0 | 36.4 | 45.5 | 45.5 | 18.2 | 36.4 | 0.0 | 11 |
| Houston | 37.9 | 20.7 | 34.5 | 6.9 | 13.8 | 6.9 | 41.4 | 37.9 | 29 |
| Indianapolis | 0.0 | 33.3 | 50.0 | 16.7 | 33.3 | 50.0 | 16.7 | 0.0 | 6 |
| Kansas City area | 9.1 | 36.4 | 27.3 | 27.3 | 36.4 | 63.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 11 |
| Los Angeles | 15.2 | 20.3 | 35.4 | 29.1 | 3.8 | 5.1 | 20.3 | 70.9 | 79 |
| Miami | 10.0 | 15.0 | 35.0 | 40.0 | 15.0 | 0.0 | 5.0 | 80.0 | 20 |
| Milwaukee | 11.1 | 55.6 | 22.2 | 11.1 | 22.2 | 55.6 | 22.2 | 0.0 | 9 |
| Minneapolis/St. Paul | 33.3 | 5.6 | 38.9 | 22.2 | 5.6 | 38.9 | 44.4 | 11.1 | 18 |
| Nashville | 25.0 | 37.5 | 12.5 | 25.0 | 12.5 | 87.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 8 |
| New York City | 14.8 | 29.7 | 34.4 | 21.1 | 10.2 | 15.0 | 29.9 | 44.9 | 127 |
| Newark | 0.0 | 28.6 | 14.3 | 57.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 71.4 | 28.6 | 7 |
| Orange Co., CA | 21.7 | 30.4 | 26.1 | 21.7 | 13.0 | 4.3 | 39.1 | 43.5 | 23 |
| Philadelphia | 14.3 | 23.8 | 33.3 | 28.6 | 23.8 | 28.6 | 38.1 | 9.5 | 21 |
| Phoenix | 15.4 | 53.8 | 15.4 | 15.4 | 15.4 | 38.5 | 23.1 | 23.1 | 13 |
| Pittsburgh | 25.0 | 33.3 | 33.3 | 8.3 | 25.0 | 50.0 | 25.0 | 0.0 | 12 |
| Portland, OR | 23.1 | 30.8 | 23.1 | 23.1 | 30.8 | 38.5 | 23.1 | 7.7 | 13 |
| Raleigh/Durham | 22.2 | 44.4 | 11.1 | 22.2 | 33.3 | 44.4 | 22.2 | 0.0 | 9 |
| Richmond | 50.0 | 25.0 | 12.5 | 12.5 | 25.0 | 50.0 | 25.0 | 0.0 | 8 |
| San Diego | 31.3 | 18.8 | 25.0 | 25.0 | 12.5 | 12.5 | 37.5 | 37.5 | 16 |
| San Francisco | 8.2 | 18.4 | 18.4 | 55.1 | 10.2 | 4.1 | 30.6 | 55.1 | 49 |
| San Jose area | 18.5 | 44.4 | 14.8 | 22.2 | 3.7 | 0.0 | 7.4 | 88.9 | 27 |
| Seattle area | 24.1 | 13.8 | 37.9 | 24.1 | 20.7 | 10.3 | 31.0 | 37.9 | 29 |
| St. Louis | 12.5 | 25.0 | 50.0 | 12.5 | 0.0 | 50.0 | 50.0 | 0.0 | 8 |
| Tampa/St. Petersburg | 16.7 | 50.0 | 25.0 | 8.3 | 25.0 | 25.0 | 41.7 | 8.3 | 12 |
| Washington, D.C. | 13.1 | 24.6 | 29.2 | 33.1 | 11.5 | 10.0 | 36.9 | 41.5 | 130 |
| Wilmington | 22.2 | 44.4 | 22.2 | 11.1 | 33.3 | 33.3 | 22.2 | 11.1 | 9 |
| By State: | |||||||||
| California | 25.0 | 25.0 | 0.0 | 50.0 | 6.3 | 6.3 | 37.5 | 50.0 | 16 |
| Florida | 14.3 | 33.3 | 14.3 | 38.1 | 23.8 | 9.5 | 33.3 | 33.3 | 21 |
| Michigan | 36.4 | 27.3 | 0.0 | 36.4 | 54.5 | 9.1 | 27.3 | 9.1 | 11 |
| New Jersey | 22.2 | 33.3 | 22.2 | 22.2 | 16.7 | 27.8 | 44.4 | 11.1 | 18 |
| New York | 20.0 | 33.3 | 20.0 | 26.7 | 26.7 | 40.0 | 26.7 | 6.7 | 15 |
| Texas | 33.3 | 8.3 | 16.7 | 41.7 | 41.7 | 0.0 | 25.0 | 33.3 | 12 |
| Virginia | 56.0 | 16.0 | 8.0 | 20.0 | 28.0 | 20.0 | 28.0 | 24.0 | 25 |
Note: The associates category includes senior and staff attorneys. The Detroit area includes offices in Bingham Farms, Bloomfield Hills, and Southfield. The Kansas City area includes offices in Leawood and Overland Park. Orange County includes offices in Costa Mesa, Irvine, and Newport Beach. Portland, OR, includes offices in Lake Oswego. The San Jose area includes offices in Menlo Park, Palo Alto, San Jose, and Sunnyvale. The Seattle area includes offices in Bellevue and Kirkland. State information excludes any cities listed separately. Foreign offices are excluded from these analyses. Source: 2002-2003 NALP Directory of Legal Employers.
