NALP Bulletin, January 2004
Law firms represented in the 2003-2004 NALP Directory of Legal Employers (NDLE) collectively reported demographic information on 53,000 partners and almost 63,000 associates, senior attorneys, and staff attorneys. Attorneys of color accounted for 4.04% of partners and 14.63% of associates. The comparable figures for women were 16.8% and 43%, respectively.
Underlying these averages are well over 1,300 individual law offices, with percentages starting at zero and ranging upward. Thus, an additional perspective on the presence of women and attorneys of color is offered by examining how many offices have relatively high representation, some representation, or no representation of women and attorneys of color.
The charts below show these figures for the 40 cities and six states (excluding the 40 cities) with the most Directory listings.
Representation of Women and Attorneys of Color
among Law
Firm Partners — 2003
(percent of offices in each range of representation)
WOMEN PARTNERS AS % OF TOTAL | PARTNERS OF COLOR 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 | 11.1 | 25.8 | 28.9 | 34.2 | 43.0 | 13.7 | 20.2 | 23.1 | 1,357 |
By Firm Size: | |||||||||
100 or fewer | 10.3 | 32.1 | 23.5 | 34.1 | 52.6 | 9.9 | 19.2 | 18.2 | 302 |
101-250 | 9.0 | 25.2 | 34.1 | 31.7 | 39.3 | 25.2 | 19.7 | 15.9 | 290 |
251-500 | 10.5 | 24.1 | 27.0 | 38.4 | 47.0 | 13.7 | 17.1 | 22.2 | 315 |
501+ | 13.3 | 23.1 | 30.4 | 32.9 | 36.0 | 8.9 | 23.3 | 31.8 | 450 |
By City: | |||||||||
Atlanta | 8.8 | 29.4 | 26.5 | 32.4 | 32.4 | 17.6 | 20.6 | 29.4 | 34 |
Austin | 14.3 | 14.3 | 33.3 | 38.1 | 28.6 | 9.5 | 4.8 | 57.1 | 21 |
Baltimore | 11.1 | 11.1 | 44.4 | 33.3 | 11.1 | 22.2 | 55.6 | 11.1 | 9 |
Birmingham | — | 85.7 | 14.3 | — | 28.6 | 42.9 | 28.6 | — | 7 |
Boston | 6.3 | 25.0 | 34.4 | 34.4 | 43.8 | 15.6 | 31.3 | 9.4 | 32 |
Charlotte | 33.3 | 46.7 | 13.3 | 6.7 | 60.0 | 20.0 | 6.7 | 13.3 | 15 |
Chicago | — | 26.3 | 43.9 | 29.8 | 33.3 | 24.6 | 29.8 | 12.3 | 57 |
Cincinnati | 18.2 | 36.4 | 36.4 | 9.1 | 54.5 | 18.2 | 9.1 | 18.2 | 11 |
Cleveland | — | 46.2 | 15.4 | 38.5 | 23.1 | 30.8 | 46.2 | — | 13 |
Columbus | 14.3 | 28.6 | 28.6 | 28.6 | 35.7 | 7.1 | 21.4 | 35.7 | 14 |
Dallas | 8.6 | 22.9 | 22.9 | 45.7 | 31.4 | 25.7 | 20.0 | 22.9 | 35 |
Denver | 16.7 | 11.1 | 22.2 | 50.0 | 33.3 | 16.7 | 27.8 | 22.2 | 18 |
Detroit area | — | 29.4 | 29.4 | 41.2 | 29.4 | 17.6 | 41.2 | 11.8 | 17 |
Hartford | 14.3 | 28.6 | 21.4 | 35.7 | 78.6 | 14.3 | 7.1 | — | 14 |
Houston | 9.4 | 18.8 | 40.6 | 31.3 | 34.4 | 6.3 | 25.0 | 34.4 | 32 |
Indianapolis | — | 50.0 | 16.7 | 33.3 | 50.0 | 16.7 | 33.3 | — | 6 |
Kansas City area | 9.1 | 36.4 | 36.4 | 18.2 | 54.5 | 36.4 | 9.1 | — | 11 |
Los Angeles | 5.1 | 26.9 | 21.8 | 46.2 | 34.6 | 6.4 | 12.8 | 46.2 | 78 |
Miami | 4.8 | 28.6 | 23.8 | 42.9 | 14.3 | — | 4.8 | 81.0 | 21 |
Milwaukee | 11.1 | 11.1 | 55.6 | 22.2 | 44.4 | 55.6 | — | — | 9 |
Minneapolis/St. Paul | 5.0 | 15.0 | 50.0 | 30.0 | 40.0 | 35.0 | 15.0 | 10.0 | 20 |
Nashville | 11.1 | 22.2 | 44.4 | 22.2 | 33.3 | 22.2 | 44.4 | — | 9 |
New York City | 6.9 | 42.0 | 28.2 | 22.9 | 37.4 | 14.5 | 28.2 | 19.8 | 131 |
Newark | 25.0 | 41.7 | 16.7 | 16.7 | 58.3 | 16.7 | 8.3 | 16.7 | 12 |
Northern Virginia | 40.0 | 30.0 | 15.0 | 15.0 | 70.0 | — | — | 30.0 | 20 |
Orange Co., CA | 29.2 | 20.8 | 29.2 | 20.8 | 62.5 | — | 25.0 | 12.5 | 24 |
Philadelphia | 4.3 | 17.4 | 30.4 | 47.8 | 34.8 | 47.8 | 17.4 | — | 23 |
Phoenix | — | 26.7 | 33.3 | 40.0 | 33.3 | — | 53.3 | 13.3 | 15 |
Pittsburgh | — | 20.0 | 40.0 | 40.0 | 66.7 | 13.3 | 13.3 | 6.7 | 15 |
Portland, OR | 14.3 | 7.1 | 50.0 | 28.6 | 50.0 | 14.3 | 21.4 | 14.3 | 14 |
Raleigh/Durham | 10.0 | 40.0 | 10.0 | 40.0 | 90.0 | — | — | 10.0 | 10 |
Richmond | — | 33.3 | 66.7 | — | 22.2 | 44.4 | 33.3 | — | 9 |
San Diego | 5.6 | 33.3 | 16.7 | 44.4 | 33.3 | 11.1 | 16.7 | 38.9 | 18 |
San Francisco | 12.3 | 8.8 | 22.8 | 56.1 | 33.3 | 1.8 | 19.3 | 45.6 | 57 |
San Jose area | 27.3 | 15.2 | 24.2 | 33.3 | 42.4 | — | 9.1 | 48.5 | 33 |
Seattle area | 15.2 | 9.1 | 39.4 | 36.4 | 30.3 | 12.1 | 27.3 | 30.3 | 33 |
St. Louis | 11.1 | — | 66.7 | 22.2 | 33.3 | 66.7 | — | — | 9 |
Tampa/St. Petersburg | 23.1 | 30.8 | 30.8 | 15.4 | 38.5 | 15.4 | 15.4 | 30.8 | 13 |
Washington, D.C. | 8.5 | 21.7 | 32.6 | 37.2 | 34.1 | 12.4 | 27.9 | 25.6 | 129 |
Wilmington | 27.3 | 45.5 | 18.2 | 9.1 | 90.9 | — | 9.1 | — | 11 |
By State: | |||||||||
California | 13.6 | 22.7 | 13.6 | 50.0 | 40.9 | 9.1 | 22.7 | 27.3 | 22 |
Florida | 8.0 | 28.0 | 24.0 | 40.0 | 52.0 | — | 20.0 | 28.0 | 25 |
Michigan | 15.4 | 30.8 | 30.8 | 23.1 | 38.5 | 38.5 | — | 23.1 | 13 |
New Jersey | 11.1 | 33.3 | 16.7 | 38.9 | 66.7 | 11.1 | 22.2 | — | 18 |
New York | — | 21.4 | 57.1 | 21.4 | 57.1 | 14.3 | 28.6 | — | 14 |
Texas | 11.1 | 33.3 | 22.2 | 33.3 | 27.8 | 11.1 | — | 61.1 | 18 |
Note: The count of offices shown in the last column indicates the number of offices with demographic information on partners and associates. For law firms that reported firm-wide information on attorneys of color for each office listing, demographic information was retained for just one office, usually the "home" office, to avoid double counting. The associates category includes senior and staff attorneys. The Kansas City area includes offices in Leawood and Overland Park, Kansas. Orange County includes offices in Costa Mesa, Irvine, and Newport Beach. The San Jose area includes offices in Menlo Park, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose, and Sunnyvale. The Seattle area includes offices in Bellevue and Kirkland. The Detroit area includes offices in Bloomfield Hills, Bingham Farms, and Southfield. The Newark area includes offices in Newark, West Orange, and Roseland. A few offices in Canada and Puerto Rico are included; offices in Europe and Asia are excluded.
Source: 2003-2004 NALP Directory of Legal Employers
Representation of Women and Attorneys of Color
among Law
Firm Associates — 2003
(percent of offices in each range of
representation)
WOMEN ASSOCIATES AS % OF TOTAL | ASSOCIATES OF COLOR 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 | 20.6 | 22.3 | 27.2 | 29.9 | 20.6 | 19.6 | 26.5 | 33.1 | 1,353 |
By Firm Size: | |||||||||
100 or fewer | 29.9 | 19.3 | 19.6 | 31.2 | 32.6 | 21.6 | 17.9 | 27.9 | 301 |
101-250 | 17.3 | 23.9 | 29.8 | 29.1 | 19.4 | 29.8 | 28.4 | 22.5 | 289 |
251-500 | 20.7 | 18.8 | 27.7 | 32.8 | 26.8 | 17.2 | 25.2 | 30.6 | 314 |
501+ | 16.5 | 25.8 | 30.3 | 27.4 | 9.1 | 13.4 | 32.1 | 45.2 | 449 |
By City: | |||||||||
Atlanta | 26.5 | 14.7 | 35.3 | 23.5 | 11.8 | 23.5 | 35.3 | 26.5 | 34 |
Austin | 23.8 | 23.8 | 23.8 | 28.6 | 14.3 | 19.0 | 42.9 | 23.8 | 21 |
Baltimore | 11.1 | 22.2 | 44.4 | 22.2 | 33.3 | 33.3 | 22.2 | 11.1 | 9 |
Birmingham | 14.3 | 28.6 | 28.6 | 28.6 | 28.6 | 57.1 | 14.3 | — | 7 |
Boston | 12.5 | 15.6 | 40.6 | 31.3 | 9.4 | 34.4 | 43.8 | 12.5 | 32 |
Charlotte | 40.0 | 33.3 | 13.3 | 13.3 | 26.7 | 46.7 | 20.0 | 6.7 | 15 |
Chicago | 19.3 | 24.6 | 33.3 | 22.8 | 14.0 | 22.8 | 42.1 | 21.1 | 57 |
Cincinnati | 18.2 | 18.2 | 18.2 | 45.5 | 36.4 | 45.5 | 9.1 | 9.1 | 11 |
Cleveland | 23.1 | 30.8 | 30.8 | 15.4 | 15.4 | 53.8 | 30.8 | — | 13 |
Columbus | 35.7 | 35.7 | 21.4 | 7.1 | 28.6 | 28.6 | 28.6 | 14.3 | 14 |
Dallas | 28.6 | 34.3 | 11.4 | 25.7 | 11.4 | 22.9 | 45.7 | 17.1 | 35 |
Denver | 27.8 | 11.1 | 11.1 | 50.0 | 11.1 | 27.8 | 38.9 | 22.2 | 18 |
Detroit area | 11.8 | 17.6 | 35.3 | 35.3 | 23.5 | 17.6 | 47.1 | 11.8 | 17 |
Hartford | 7.1 | 28.6 | 50.0 | 14.3 | 35.7 | 50.0 | 14.3 | — | 14 |
Houston | 37.5 | 21.9 | 28.1 | 12.5 | 9.4 | 6.3 | 31.3 | 53.1 | 32 |
Indianapolis | — | — | 66.7 | 33.3 | 16.7 | 83.3 | — | — | 6 |
Kansas City area | 9.1 | 18.2 | 45.5 | 27.3 | 18.2 | 72.7 | 9.1 | — | 11 |
Los Angeles | 5.1 | 28.2 | 28.2 | 38.5 | 5.1 | 2.6 | 16.7 | 75.6 | 78 |
Miami | 4.8 | 38.1 | 9.5 | 47.6 | 4.8 | — | — | 95.2 | 21 |
Milwaukee | 33.3 | 33.3 | 22.2 | 11.1 | 22.2 | 44.4 | 33.3 | — | 9 |
Minneapolis/St. Paul | 25.0 | 5.0 | 35.0 | 35.0 | 10.0 | 30.0 | 45.0 | 15.0 | 20 |
Nashville | 33.3 | 22.2 | 22.2 | 22.2 | 22.2 | 66.7 | 11.1 | — | 9 |
New York City | 16.2 | 24.6 | 36.2 | 23.1 | 13.8 | 10.8 | 23.8 | 51.5 | 130 |
Newark | 16.7 | 8.3 | 41.7 | 33.3 | — | 16.7 | 58.3 | 25.0 | 12 |
Northern Virginia | 60.0 | 10.0 | 5.0 | 25.0 | 25.0 | 20.0 | 20.0 | 35.0 | 20 |
Orange Co., CA | 25.0 | 12.5 | 33.3 | 29.2 | 8.3 | 12.5 | 25.0 | 54.2 | 24 |
Philadelphia | 8.7 | 26.1 | 34.8 | 30.4 | 21.7 | 47.8 | 30.4 | — | 23 |
Phoenix | 13.3 | 26.7 | 53.3 | 6.7 | 20.0 | 40.0 | 26.7 | 13.3 | 15 |
Pittsburgh | 6.7 | 46.7 | 26.7 | 20.0 | 33.3 | 66.7 | — | — | 15 |
Portland, OR | 21.4 | 21.4 | 14.3 | 42.9 | 21.4 | 35.7 | 21.4 | 21.4 | 14 |
Raleigh/Durham | 30.0 | 20.0 | 10.0 | 40.0 | 20.0 | 50.0 | 30.0 | — | 10 |
Richmond | 22.2 | 66.7 | 11.1 | — | 33.3 | 44.4 | 22.2 | — | 9 |
San Diego | 27.8 | 22.2 | 11.1 | 38.9 | 16.7 | 5.6 | 33.3 | 44.4 | 18 |
San Francisco | 12.3 | 12.3 | 24.6 | 50.9 | 7.0 | 5.3 | 26.3 | 61.4 | 57 |
San Jose area | 15.2 | 39.4 | 24.2 | 21.2 | 3.0 | — | 6.1 | 90.9 | 33 |
Seattle area | 31.3 | 6.3 | 25.0 | 37.5 | 25.0 | 15.6 | 18.8 | 40.6 | 33 |
St. Louis | 22.2 | 11.1 | 44.4 | 22.2 | 22.2 | 33.3 | 33.3 | 11.1 | 9 |
Tampa/St. Petersburg | 15.4 | 30.8 | 38.5 | 15.4 | 23.1 | 15.4 | 46.2 | 15.4 | 13 |
Washington, D.C. | 15.6 | 20.3 | 32.0 | 32.0 | 13.3 | 8.6 | 38.3 | 39.8 | 128 |
Wilmington | 36.4 | 18.2 | 18.2 | 27.3 | 27.3 | 36.4 | 9.1 | 27.3 | 11 |
By State: | |||||||||
California | 27.3 | 18.2 | 13.6 | 40.9 | 22.7 | 4.5 | 13.6 | 59.1 | 22 |
Florida | 16.0 | 24.0 | 20.0 | 40.0 | 32.0 | 4.0 | 36.0 | 28.0 | 25 |
Michigan | 23.1 | 30.8 | — | 46.2 | 46.2 | 23.1 | 23.1 | 7.7 | 13 |
New Jersey | 11.1 | 22.2 | 50.0 | 16.7 | 11.1 | 38.9 | 27.8 | 22.2 | 18 |
New York | 23.1 | 30.8 | 23.1 | 23.1 | 23.1 | 46.2 | 15.4 | 15.4 | 13 |
Texas | 33.3 | 16.7 | 33.3 | 16.7 | 38.9 | 5.6 | 16.7 | 38.9 | 18 |
Note: The count of offices shown in the last column indicates the number of offices with demographic information on partners and associates. For law firms that reported firm-wide information on attorneys of color for each office listing, demographic information was retained for just one office, usually the "home" office, to avoid double counting. The associates category includes senior and staff attorneys. The Kansas City area includes offices in Leawood and Overland Park, Kansas. Orange County includes offices in Costa Mesa, Irvine, and Newport Beach. The San Jose area includes offices in Menlo Park, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose, and Sunnyvale. The Seattle area includes offices in Bellevue and Kirkland. The Detroit area includes offices in Bloomfield Hills, Bingham Farms, and Southfield. The Newark area includes offices in Newark, West Orange, and Roseland. A few offices in Canada and Puerto Rico are included; offices in Europe and Asia are excluded.
Source: 2003-2004 NALP Directory of Legal Employers