The due date for receiving completed data submissions for participation in the 2008 BRASS plus mid-year "Lite" release is Friday, September 19, 2008. Data submissions received after September 19, 2008 are considered 'late' and may not be included in our group results.
Survey results for the 2008 BRASS plus mid-year "Lite" release will be distributed on October 10, 2008.
The base fee for participation in the BRASS plus mid-year "Lite" release is contingent upon your participation in the initial release. For those firm's that participated in the 2008 initial release, the base participation fee is only $500; all others are billed at $1,500.
The base participation fee includes three comparison group reports for your individual offices or practice groups. Each participant will also receive one Management summary report (MSR) for every three to five comparison groups ordered for an individual office or practice group.
Additional comparison group fees
A new pricing strategy designed to provide discounts to law firm participants who purchase volumes of comparison groups was instituted this year. Participants may order any number of comparison groups in addition to the three included in the base participation fee. A firm does not need to be a member of a particular comparison group to order it.
Custom comparison groups are not included in the volume discounts.
The fee for any subsequent comparison groups ordered will be billed according to the following scale:
Number of additional comparison groups - Participants in the 2008 initial release
Cost per group
1 to 10
$150 each
More than 10
$120 each
Number of additional comparison groups - Firms that did not participate in the 2008 initial release
Cost per group
1 to 10
$300 each
11 to 20
$240 each
21 to 30
$180 each
More than 30
$120 each
For example: If a firm who did not participate in the initial release of the Survey purchases 25 comparison groups, the first three are included in the base participation fee of $1,500. The first additional 10 comparison groups will be billed at $300/each; the second additional 10 comparison groups will be billed at $240/each, and the remaining 2 additional comparison groups will be billed at $180/each.
Custom Comparison Groups
Participants can choose to create custom comparison groups from a list of there peers or competitors, provided the criterion for participation in the group adheres to all current antitrust laws. The surcharge for any custom comparison group is $100 each. Custom comparison groups are not eligible for the volume discounts.
'Report export' spreadsheet
Participants can choose to order a spreadsheet (in .xls format) that will consist of a 'data export' of the comparison group statistics provided in the final reports ordered. The group statistics from each comparison group ordered by the firm will be displayed as a separate worksheet within the spreadsheet. Your firm's data will be included in a separate worksheet.
The cost for this supplementary spreadsheet, regardless of the number of comparison groups ordered, is $300.
The firm rank has been added to this spreadsheet for the mid-year "Lite" release.
Payment policy
Upon receipt of your completed data form(s) and report order, an invoice will be mailed to the appropriate representative at your firm.
Participation fees: 2007 Law firm statistical survey (LFSS)
The pricing structure for all participants consists of a base participation fee, plus incremental fees for additional comparison groups ordered.
Base participation fee
The base fee for participation in the LFSS, regardless of the size of the firm, is $1,500.Included in the base participation fee is the cost for one comparison group. If your firm is submitting data for individual offices, one complimentary comparison group is included for each individual office for which data is submitted.
To respond to the ongoing need for office-level benchmarking, we are pleased to once again offer one free office comparison group for each individual office submitted to the 2007 LFSS.
We will no longer offer a reduction for early data submissions, although we encourage participants to submit their data in a timely manner.
Depending on the number of comparison groups ordered, each participant can receive the following four distinct reports:
Finance and operations report (FOR)
Detailed operations report (DOR)
Management summary report (MSR)
Managing partner's report (MPR)
Additional comparison group fees
Participants may order any number of comparison groups in addition to the one included in their base participation fee. A firm does not need to be a member of a particular comparison group to order it. The fee for a second and any subsequent comparison group selected is $300 each.
In an effort to streamline the comparison group ordering process, the report order form has now been integrated into the comparison group listing. Participants should download the newly formatted comparison group listing and complete their report order.
To assist survey participants with understanding the wide-range of survey reports available, PricewaterhouseCoopers will be conducting a Webcast - on September 26th starting at 3pm EDT.
An invitation to join the webcast will be sent to each participating firm two weeks prior to the date of the event.
A copy of the webcast provided on May 15, 2008 is available for download.
The following document contains a listing of all of the geographic, practice area and practice area by location comparison groups we anticipate producing this year. The document also serves as the new report order form.
Based on the participation levels for each survey, the size ranges of the comparison groups may change to ensure the usefulness of the results provided.
We recommend that each survey participant review the information contained in the comparison group description document before completing the report order form(s).
If your firm needs a particular group not shown on the comparison group listing, please contact a survey staff member to submit a custom group request.
All custom comparison groups are subject to the approval of the survey staff and must meet our confidentiality criteria and legal guidelines.
A member of the PwC survey team is available to assist your firm with its comparison group selections. Please email a survey staff member if you need assistance.
To assist law firms with their participation decision, we've included sample reports from each of our two survey offerings: BRASS plus and LFSS.
Report information for participation in the 2008 BRASS plus
The 2008 BRASS plus provides comprehensive information on timekeeper billing rates, utilization, leverage, revenue billed and associate salaries by office and by practice group.
In the new mid-year "Lite" release, only the three different billing rate metrics (and the realization thereof) will be collected. The standard billing rate values will be reported as of July 1, 2008 and the two alternative rates - worked rate and effective rate - will be collected for the 12-month period ending June 30, 2008.
Law firms will receive two distinct types of reports with participation in the BRASS plus.
1. The final report compares your firm’s data with one comparison group. A copy of the 2008 (initial release) report containing group data for those law firm's with >250 attorneys is included in the attached file.
2. The Management summary report (MSR) compares your firm’s individual office or practice group data with three to five comparison groups. The purpose of this report is to reduce the amount of time that participants spend analyzing and compiling survey results obtained from the individual final reports. Each participant will receive one MSR for every three to five comparison groups ordered for an individual office or practice group.
Report information for participation in the 2007 LFSS
All of the financial and operational statistics provided in the 2007 LFSS are for the operating year ending December 31, 2007. Base salary information for administrative managers and departmental supervisors are collected and reported as of January 1, 2008.
Outlined below are the four audience-specific reports that your firm receives with participation in the (LFSS). Sample reports from each survey are included in the attached files.
1. The Managing partner's report (MPR) compares your firm’s data with two or three comparison groups.
The MPR is a high level summary of key profitability and operational measures intended for the managing partner, or others who fill this role and have responsibility for the overall assessment of the firm’s competitive situation.
2. The Management summary report (MSR) compares your firm’s data with two or three comparison groups. The MSR contains topics from the MPR which are supplemented with more detailed data. From this report, an executive director can report back to the managing partner that the firm’s relatively high expenses are attributable to a particular department.
3. The Finance & operations report (FOR) compares your firm’s data with one comparison group. The FOR contains a detailed summary of revenue and expenses, and their related factors. This report should be used for further departmental analyses and budget development. From this report, department managers can report back to the executive director about departmental related expenses which may be favorable or "out of line".
4. The Detailed operations report (DOR) compares your firm’s data with one comparison group. The DOR is a detailed expense itemization for each broad expense category and its related factors. This report should be used for further departmental analyses and budget development. From this report, department managers can report back to the executive director about departmental related expenses which may be favorable or "out of line".
