NALP Bulletin, February 2006
Law firms represented in the 2005-2006 NALP Directory of Legal Employers (NDLE) collectively reported demographic information on 55,000 partners and more than 60,000 associates, senior attorneys, and staff attorneys. Attorneys of color accounted for 4.63% of partners and 15.62% of associates. The comparable figures for women were 17.29% and 44.12%, respectively. (For a complete analysis, including figures by firm size, city, and state, see Research and Directories > Press Releases > Women and Attorneys of Color Continue to Make Small Gains at Large Law Firms. Comparable figures for prior years are also online.)
Underlying these averages are well over 1,400 individual law offices, with representation percentages starting at zero and ranging upwards. Thus, an additional perspective on the presence of women and attorneys of color is provided by examining how many offices have relatively high representation, some representation, or no representation of women and attorneys of color. The charts on the following two pages show these figures for 44 cities and eight states (excluding the 44 cities) with the most Directory listings.
Note: In the tables below, 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 repeated firmwide demographic information for each office listing, demographic information was retained for just one office to avoid double counting. The associates category includes senior and staff attorneys. Some city information includes one or more offices in adjacent suburbs. Orange County includes offices in Costa Mesa, Irvine, and Newport Beach. The San Jose area includes offices in Cupertino, Menlo Park, Mountain View, Palo Alto and E. Palo Alto, Redwood Shores/Redwood City, San Jose, and Sunnyvale. The Detroit area includes offices in Bloomfield Hills, Bingham Farms, Southfield, and Troy. The Northern New Jersey/Newark area includes offices in Newark, Roseland, West Orange, Florham Park, Hackensack, Morristown, Parsippany, Short Hills, Westfield, Bridgewater, and Woodbridge. Northern Virginia includes offices in Falls Church, McLean, Reston, Vienna, and Alexandria. State figures exclude cities reported separately.
Representation of Women and Minorities Among Law Firm
Associates — 2005
(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 | 18.9 | 19.6 | 26.4 | 35.2 | 21.3 | 16.7 | 24.1 | 37.9 | 1,416 |
By Firm Size: | |||||||||
100 or fewer | 28.5 | 19.9 | 16.6 | 35.1 | 34.4 | 19.9 | 17.2 | 28.5 | 302 |
101-250 | 17.8 | 19.3 | 28.0 | 34.9 | 18.9 | 26.5 | 26.5 | 28.0 | 275 |
251-500 | 18.1 | 18.6 | 25.7 | 37.6 | 29.4 | 14.1 | 24.0 | 32.5 | 354 |
501+ | 14.0 | 20.2 | 32.2 | 33.6 | 8.5 | 11.1 | 27.0 | 53.4 | 485 |
By City: | |||||||||
Atlanta | 25.0 | 12.5 | 27.5 | 35.0 | 10.0 | 17.5 | 32.5 | 40.0 | 40 |
Austin | 22.2 | 38.9 | 16.7 | 22.2 | 0.0 | 16.7 | 38.9 | 44.4 | 18 |
Baltimore | 20.0 | 10.0 | 50.0 | 20.0 | 20.0 | 10.0 | 60.0 | 10.0 | 10 |
Birmingham | 30.0 | 30.0 | 10.0 | 30.0 | 30.0 | 40.0 | 20.0 | 10.0 | 10 |
Boston | 11.1 | 25.0 | 33.3 | 30.6 | 13.9 | 25.0 | 41.7 | 19.4 | 36 |
Charlotte | 22.2 | 44.4 | 27.8 | 5.6 | 44.4 | 33.3 | 16.7 | 5.6 | 18 |
Chicago | 21.8 | 21.8 | 36.4 | 20.0 | 9.1 | 12.7 | 40.0 | 38.2 | 55 |
Cincinnati | 33.3 | 16.7 | 16.7 | 33.3 | 41.7 | 33.3 | 16.7 | 8.3 | 12 |
Cleveland | 35.7 | 7.1 | 21.4 | 35.7 | 14.3 | 35.7 | 42.9 | 7.1 | 14 |
Columbus | 35.7 | 0.0 | 28.6 | 35.7 | 14.3 | 21.4 | 50.0 | 14.3 | 14 |
Dallas | 26.3 | 31.6 | 21.1 | 21.1 | 15.8 | 36.8 | 26.3 | 21.1 | 38 |
Denver | 12.5 | 12.5 | 16.7 | 58.3 | 16.7 | 20.8 | 37.5 | 25.0 | 24 |
Detroit area | 7.1 | 28.6 | 28.6 | 35.7 | 14.3 | 35.7 | 35.7 | 14.3 | 14 |
Ft. Lauderdale/W. Palm Beach | 27.3 | 0.0 | 9.1 | 63.6 | 45.5 | 0.0 | 36.4 | 18.2 | 11 |
Hartford | 14.3 | 28.6 | 21.4 | 35.7 | 50.0 | 21.4 | 21.4 | 7.1 | 14 |
Houston | 25.6 | 20.5 | 28.2 | 25.6 | 25.6 | 15.4 | 23.1 | 35.9 | 39 |
Indianapolis | 11.1 | 0.0 | 77.8 | 11.1 | 33.3 | 55.6 | 11.1 | 0.0 | 9 |
Kansas City area | 0.0 | 30.8 | 38.5 | 30.8 | 15.4 | 53.8 | 30.8 | 0.0 | 13 |
Los Angeles | 12.5 | 14.8 | 35.2 | 37.5 | 6.8 | 2.3 | 11.4 | 79.5 | 88 |
Miami | 20.0 | 10.0 | 25.0 | 45.0 | 5.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 95.0 | 20 |
Milwaukee | 0.0 | 33.3 | 44.4 | 22.2 | 22.2 | 55.6 | 22.2 | 0.0 | 9 |
Minneapolis/St. Paul | 30.0 | 0.0 | 20.0 | 50.0 | 15.0 | 45.0 | 25.0 | 15.0 | 20 |
Nashville | 10.0 | 20.0 | 30.0 | 40.0 | 40.0 | 20.0 | 20.0 | 20.0 | 10 |
New Orleans | 12.5 | 12.5 | 0.0 | 75.0 | 12.5 | 37.5 | 12.5 | 37.5 | 8 |
New York City | 11.4 | 20.5 | 37.9 | 30.3 | 12.9 | 6.8 | 23.5 | 56.8 | 132 |
Northern NJ/Newark area | 26.1 | 17.4 | 34.8 | 21.7 | 8.7 | 8.7 | 60.9 | 21.7 | 23 |
Northern Virginia | 38.1 | 19.0 | 23.8 | 19.0 | 23.8 | 4.8 | 42.9 | 28.6 | 21 |
Orange Co., CA | 27.6 | 27.6 | 24.1 | 20.7 | 13.8 | 6.9 | 20.7 | 58.6 | 29 |
Philadelphia | 11.1 | 5.6 | 44.4 | 38.9 | 16.7 | 33.3 | 27.8 | 22.2 | 18 |
Phoenix | 14.3 | 35.7 | 21.4 | 28.6 | 14.3 | 28.6 | 35.7 | 21.4 | 14 |
Pittsburgh | 0.0 | 38.5 | 46.2 | 15.4 | 30.8 | 46.2 | 23.1 | 0.0 | 13 |
Portland, OR | 25.0 | 25.0 | 18.8 | 31.3 | 18.8 | 31.3 | 12.5 | 37.5 | 16 |
Raleigh/Durham | 30.0 | 20.0 | 10.0 | 40.0 | 30.0 | 50.0 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 10 |
Richmond | 16.7 | 50.0 | 16.7 | 16.7 | 33.3 | 33.3 | 33.3 | 0.0 | 6 |
Salt Lake City | 57.1 | 14.3 | 14.3 | 14.3 | 71.4 | 14.3 | 14.3 | 0.0 | 7 |
San Diego | 15.0 | 25.0 | 15.0 | 45.0 | 15.0 | 20.0 | 20.0 | 45.0 | 20 |
San Francisco | 10.3 | 5.2 | 19.0 | 65.5 | 3.4 | 0.0 | 22.4 | 74.1 | 58 |
San Jose area | 16.7 | 27.8 | 19.4 | 36.1 | 5.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 94.4 | 36 |
Seattle area | 18.8 | 9.4 | 28.1 | 43.8 | 25.0 | 9.4 | 28.1 | 37.5 | 32 |
St. Louis | 10.0 | 30.0 | 50.0 | 10.0 | 20.0 | 40.0 | 30.0 | 10.0 | 10 |
Stamford/Greenwich | 0.0 | 11.1 | 22.2 | 66.7 | 44.4 | 22.2 | 11.1 | 22.2 | 9 |
Tampa/St. Petersburg | 30.8 | 30.8 | 15.4 | 23.1 | 30.8 | 30.8 | 15.4 | 23.1 | 13 |
Washington, DC | 13.2 | 17.1 | 28.7 | 41.1 | 6.2 | 14.0 | 26.4 | 53.5 | 129 |
Wilmington | 25.0 | 33.3 | 25.0 | 16.7 | 25.0 | 33.3 | 16.7 | 25.0 | 12 |
By State: | |||||||||
Kentucky | 11.1 | 11.1 | 33.3 | 44.4 | 44.4 | 33.3 | 22.2 | 0.0 | 9 |
Nevada | 35.7 | 42.9 | 7.1 | 14.3 | 57.1 | 7.1 | 7.1 | 28.6 | 14 |
Other locations in California | 22.2 | 11.1 | 16.7 | 50.0 | 16.7 | 16.7 | 33.3 | 33.3 | 18 |
Other locations in Florida | 7.1 | 21.4 | 21.4 | 50.0 | 28.6 | 7.1 | 28.6 | 35.7 | 14 |
Other locations in Michigan | 33.3 | 20.0 | 20.0 | 26.7 | 80.0 | 0.0 | 13.3 | 6.7 | 15 |
Other locations in New Jersey | 0.0 | 14.3 | 42.9 | 42.9 | 14.3 | 14.3 | 28.6 | 42.9 | 7 |
Other locations in New York State | 7.7 | 38.5 | 30.8 | 23.1 | 46.2 | 30.8 | 15.4 | 7.7 | 13 |
Other locations in Texas | 25.0 | 0.0 | 25.0 | 50.0 | 37.5 | 6.3 | 12.5 | 43.8 | 16 |
Representation of Women and Minorities Among Law Firm Partners
— 2005
(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 | 11.8 | 22.7 | 29.9 | 35.5 | 40.3 | 11.2 | 20.4 | 28.1 | 1,421 |
By Firm Size: | |||||||||
100 or fewer | 12.5 | 27.7 | 26.7 | 33.0 | 49.8 | 10.2 | 17.8 | 22.1 | 303 |
101-250 | 11.9 | 22.0 | 35.4 | 30.7 | 38.3 | 21.7 | 20.2 | 19.9 | 277 |
251-500 | 11.5 | 19.1 | 26.1 | 43.3 | 44.1 | 10.4 | 20.2 | 25.3 | 356 |
501+ | 11.5 | 22.7 | 31.5 | 34.2 | 32.6 | 6.4 | 22.3 | 38.6 | 485 |
By City: | |||||||||
Atlanta | 15.0 | 27.5 | 27.5 | 30.0 | 30.0 | 5.0 | 25.0 | 40.0 | 40 |
Austin | 11.1 | 22.2 | 33.3 | 33.3 | 11.1 | 11.1 | 11.1 | 66.7 | 18 |
Baltimore | 10.0 | 0.0 | 70.0 | 20.0 | 20.0 | 30.0 | 40.0 | 10.0 | 10 |
Birmingham | 0.0 | 30.0 | 40.0 | 30.0 | 20.0 | 30.0 | 30.0 | 20.0 | 10 |
Boston | 8.3 | 11.1 | 33.3 | 47.2 | 44.4 | 27.8 | 19.4 | 8.3 | 36 |
Charlotte | 38.9 | 33.3 | 16.7 | 11.1 | 50.0 | 16.7 | 22.2 | 11.1 | 18 |
Chicago | 1.8 | 14.5 | 38.2 | 45.5 | 21.8 | 21.8 | 34.5 | 20.0 | 55 |
Cincinnati | 8.3 | 33.3 | 33.3 | 25.0 | 33.3 | 33.3 | 8.3 | 25.0 | 12 |
Cleveland | 0.0 | 28.6 | 21.4 | 50.0 | 28.6 | 14.3 | 57.1 | 0.0 | 14 |
Columbus | 21.4 | 14.3 | 35.7 | 28.6 | 28.6 | 7.1 | 35.7 | 28.6 | 14 |
Dallas | 7.9 | 26.3 | 21.1 | 44.7 | 42.1 | 5.3 | 34.2 | 18.4 | 38 |
Denver | 12.5 | 33.3 | 8.3 | 45.8 | 37.5 | 4.2 | 12.5 | 45.8 | 24 |
Detroit area | 0.0 | 7.1 | 42.9 | 50.0 | 14.3 | 35.7 | 35.7 | 14.3 | 14 |
Ft. Lauderdale/W. Palm Beach | 18.2 | 18.2 | 18.2 | 45.5 | 54.5 | 0.0 | 9.1 | 36.4 | 11 |
Hartford | 28.6 | 21.4 | 14.3 | 35.7 | 71.4 | 21.4 | 7.1 | 0.0 | 14 |
Houston | 12.8 | 23.1 | 35.9 | 28.2 | 41.0 | 2.6 | 30.8 | 25.6 | 39 |
Indianapolis | 22.2 | 22.2 | 33.3 | 22.2 | 44.4 | 33.3 | 22.2 | 0.0 | 9 |
Kansas City area | 7.7 | 38.5 | 38.5 | 15.4 | 46.2 | 38.5 | 15.4 | 0.0 | 13 |
Los Angeles | 6.7 | 25.8 | 21.3 | 46.1 | 28.1 | 1.1 | 16.9 | 53.9 | 89 |
Miami | 0.0 | 10.0 | 25.0 | 65.0 | 5.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 95.0 | 20 |
Milwaukee | 11.1 | 11.1 | 55.6 | 22.2 | 33.3 | 55.6 | 11.1 | 0.0 | 9 |
Minneapolis/St. Paul | 0.0 | 20.0 | 30.0 | 50.0 | 45.0 | 30.0 | 20.0 | 5.0 | 20 |
Nashville | 30.0 | 20.0 | 30.0 | 20.0 | 50.0 | 20.0 | 20.0 | 10.0 | 10 |
New Orleans | 12.5 | 0.0 | 25.0 | 62.5 | 25.0 | 12.5 | 25.0 | 37.5 | 8 |
New York City | 8.3 | 37.9 | 34.8 | 18.9 | 33.3 | 12.9 | 28.8 | 25.0 | 132 |
Northern NJ/Newark area | 26.1 | 21.7 | 30.4 | 21.7 | 69.6 | 8.7 | 21.7 | 0.0 | 23 |
Northern Virginia | 23.8 | 33.3 | 23.8 | 19.0 | 52.4 | 4.8 | 9.5 | 33.3 | 21 |
Orange Co., CA | 24.1 | 31.0 | 24.1 | 20.7 | 44.8 | 0.0 | 13.8 | 41.4 | 29 |
Philadelphia | 0.0 | 27.8 | 27.8 | 44.4 | 44.4 | 22.2 | 33.3 | 0.0 | 18 |
Phoenix | 6.7 | 20.0 | 46.7 | 26.7 | 33.3 | 13.3 | 46.7 | 6.7 | 15 |
Pittsburgh | 0.0 | 30.8 | 30.8 | 38.5 | 53.8 | 15.4 | 30.8 | 0.0 | 13 |
Portland, OR | 18.8 | 18.8 | 18.8 | 43.8 | 50.0 | 37.5 | 6.3 | 6.3 | 16 |
Raleigh/Durham | 10.0 | 30.0 | 10.0 | 50.0 | 70.0 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 10 |
Richmond | 0.0 | 50.0 | 50.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 50.0 | 50.0 | 0.0 | 6 |
Salt Lake City | 14.3 | 71.4 | 0.0 | 14.3 | 85.7 | 14.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 7 |
San Diego | 5.0 | 35.0 | 15.0 | 45.0 | 30.0 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 50.0 | 20 |
San Francisco | 10.3 | 8.6 | 24.1 | 56.9 | 32.8 | 5.2 | 12.1 | 50.0 | 58 |
San Jose area | 19.4 | 19.4 | 25.0 | 36.1 | 33.3 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 61.1 | 36 |
Seattle area | 21.9 | 9.4 | 31.3 | 37.5 | 31.3 | 3.1 | 15.6 | 50.0 | 32 |
St. Louis | 10.0 | 10.0 | 60.0 | 20.0 | 30.0 | 40.0 | 20.0 | 10.0 | 10 |
Stamford/Greenwich | 0.0 | 22.2 | 33.3 | 44.4 | 88.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 11.1 | 9 |
Tampa/St. Petersburg | 15.4 | 15.4 | 61.5 | 7.7 | 46.2 | 7.7 | 15.4 | 30.8 | 13 |
Washington, DC | 6.9 | 14.5 | 35.9 | 42.7 | 25.2 | 9.2 | 28.2 | 37.4 | 131 |
Wilmington | 25.0 | 41.7 | 8.3 | 25.0 | 75.0 | 0.0 | 16.7 | 8.3 | 12 |
By State: | |||||||||
Kentucky | 11.1 | 11.1 | 55.6 | 22.2 | 44.4 | 44.4 | 11.1 | 0.0 | 9 |
Nevada | 14.3 | 14.3 | 28.6 | 42.9 | 78.6 | 0.0 | 7.1 | 14.3 | 14 |
Other locations in California | 33.3 | 5.6 | 27.8 | 33.3 | 50.0 | 0.0 | 16.7 | 33.3 | 18 |
Other locations in Florida | 0.0 | 28.6 | 21.4 | 50.0 | 42.9 | 0.0 | 7.1 | 50.0 | 14 |
Other locations in Michigan | 33.3 | 20.0 | 26.7 | 20.0 | 60.0 | 13.3 | 6.7 | 20.0 | 15 |
Other locations in New Jersey | 0.0 | 42.9 | 0.0 | 57.1 | 85.7 | 0.0 | 14.3 | 0.0 | 7 |
Other locations in New York State | 0.0 | 30.8 | 38.5 | 30.8 | 76.9 | 0.0 | 23.1 | 0.0 | 13 |
Other locations in Texas | 6.3 | 25.0 | 25.0 | 43.8 | 31.3 | 0.0 | 12.5 | 56.3 | 16 |