Surveys: How to participate

Thank you for choosing to participate in the PwC’s law firm surveys. The documents needed for participation in each Survey are included below.
 

  • Billing rate & associate salary survey (BRASSplus)



    Instructions
    The initial release of the 2012 BRASSplus instructions document includes important information about the columns of data requested for each timekeeper classification submitted to the survey.

    Download 2012 BRASSplus initial release instructions.

    Data Form
    Participants in the 2012 initial release of the BRASSplus have the following two options for collecting their data.

    • Preferred method: Free Data extraction tool

      Developed by PwC and LexisNexis-Redwood Analytics, the data extraction collection tool is available free to participants in this survey that have either Elite or CMS/Aderant time and billing systems. The data extraction tool is a stand-alone, desktop application that can be installed and run on any PC at your firm.

      Please download and review the following installation guide for step-by-step instructions on installing the BRASSplus application.

      Download 2012 BRASSplus initial release installation guide.

      All BRASSplus participants who intend to use the data extraction tool must visit the download site to install or upgrade the version of the application on a designated PC.

      Note: If you already have the BRASSplus data extraction tool installed on your PC from a prior survey release, an upgrade is required before you can access the application. You will be prompted to upgrade your current version during the installation program.

      The BRASSplus initial release data extraction application is available for download at:

      http://www.lexisnexis.com/redwood-analytics/pwc/surveys/.

      The user ID and password required for download access is as follows:
      User ID: surveys
      Password: pwc2012

      A key advantage to using this data extraction tool is the ability to preserve your firm's mappings to the survey-defined classifications across survey releases. Using this application will not only reduce the time to participate in subsequent releases, but will ensure consistency and enhance comparability in the results.

      IMPORTANT: The completed data submission will be sent directly to a PwC law firm survey staff member, and at no time will any member of LexisNexis-Redwood Analytics have access to your individual firm's data.

    • Alternative method: Spreadsheet-based data form
      Law firms who are not on the Elite or CMS/Aderant time and billing systems, can choose to submit their data using our spreadsheet-based data form. Firms should download and complete the following:

      Download 2012 BRASSplus initial release data form.

    Comparison groups
    The following document contains a listing of all of the standard national, geographic, practice area and practice area by location comparison groups we anticipate producing from the survey. The document provides information on report fees and types of reports available and also serves as the report order form.

    Download 2012 comparison groups & report order.

    Please note that, based on the participation levels, 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.

    Download Comparison group description.

    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.

    Sample reports
    The initial release of the 2012 BRASSplus provides comprehensive information on timekeeper billing rates, utilization, leverage, revenue billed and attorney compensation by office and by practice group.

    Law firms can receive up to five distinct types of reports with participation in the BRASSplus:

    1. The Standard report compares your firm’s data with one comparison group. A copy of the 2011 initial release report containing group data for those law firm's with >250 attorneys is included in the attached file.

    Download 2011 BRASSplus initial release standard report.

    2. The Management trends report (MTR) is a new report option that includes graphical firm and group representations of select key metrics spanning a five-year period. This report also provides potential performance improvements if your firm achieves select milestones.

    Download 2011 BRASSplus midyear release MTR

    3. The Partner and associate compensation and capital report (PACC) compares your firm's individual office or practice group with one comparison group. The report includes compensation permanent capital contribution balances for both partner classifications. All of the partner metrics are delineated by years of experience intervals. Associates base salary and bonus information is all included and delineated by law school class year.

    To view a copy of the 2012 PACC Report please contact a Survey staff member.

    4. 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.

    Download 2011 BRASSplus initial release management summary report

    5. The 'Report Export' Spreadsheet is a spreadsheet report (in .xls format) that consists 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 for each office and practice group submitted to the Survey will be included in a separate worksheet.

  • Cultural awareness & inclusion scorecard (CAIS)


    The CAIS is a two-pronged benchmarking program, and therefore the data collection for participation contains two distinct sections. The data input for participation in section 1 of the survey is incorporated into our Billing rate & associate salary surveyplus data form. As such, any instruction on the values to be submitted is included within the 2012 BRASSplus initial release instructions document included below. The instructions for participation in section 2 of the CAIS have been incorporated into the CAIS section 2 data form.

    Download 2012 BRASSplus initial release instructions.

    Data forms

    Section 1 of the CAIS contains detailed gender and minority statistics for law firm timekeepers. The data input for section 1 is incorporated into our Billing rate & associate salary surveyplus BRASSplus data form. As such, any instructions on the values to be submitted are included within the 2012 BRASSplus initial release instructions document included above.

    If your firm is not participating in the 2012 BRASSplus initial release, please contact a Survey team member for an alternative data form.

    Law firms participating in section 2 of the CAIS should download and complete the following:

    Download 2012 CAIS data form section 2.

    Comparison groups

    The following document contains a listing of all of the standard national, geographic and practice area comparison groups we anticipate producing for each section of this survey. The document also serves as the report order form.

    Download 2012 CAIS comparison groups & report order.

    Based on the participation levels, 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.

    Download Comparison group descriptions.

    If your firm would like to request 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 staff is available to assist your firm with its comparison group selections. Please email a survey staff member if you need assistance.

    Sample reports

    The 2012 CAIS is a two-pronged benchmarking program designed to assist law firms in evaluating their diversity efforts relative to other firms. Law firms can choose to participate in one, or both, sections of this survey.

    The section 1 report compares your office or practice group data with one comparison group. Section 1 of the CAIS includes detailed gender and minority statistics for law firm timekeepers in the following areas: headcount, utilization, attorney turnover and promotion. A copy of the section 1 sample report is included in the attached file.

    Download 2011 CAIS final report: Section 1.


    Section 2.  The section 2 report compares your firm's diversity efforts with one comparison group. Section 2 of the CAIS includes information on diversity efforts in the following five areas: leadership, initiatives/programs, recruitment, retention and client management. Two additional 'spotlight' areas on select programs for self-identified LGBT individuals and individuals with a disability have been added. This questionnaire should be completed by the individual responsible for your firm's diversity group. A copy of a section 2 sample report is included in the attached file.

    Download 2011 CAIS final report: Section 2.

  • Law firm statistical survey (LFSS)



    Instructions

    The 2011 LFSS instructions document includes information about the functionality of the data form, and provides detailed information on the values collected for each form.

    Download 2011 LFSS instructions.

    Data forms

    Participants in the 2011 LFSS have the following two options for collecting their data.

    • Preferred method: Data extraction tool

      Developed by PwC and LexisNexis-Redwood Analytics, the data extraction collection tool is available for free to participants in this survey that have either Elite or CMS/Aderant time and billing systems. The data extraction tool is a stand-alone, desktop application that can be installed and run on any PC at your firm.

      Please download and review the following installation guide for step-by-step instructions on installing the LFSS application:

      Download the 2011 LFSS installation guide.

      All LFSS participants who intend to use the data extraction tool must visit the download site to install or upgrade the current version of the application on a designated PC.

      Note: If you already have the LFSS data extraction tool installed on your PC from a prior survey release, an upgrade is required before you can access the application. You will be prompted to upgrade your current version during the installation program.

      The LFSS data extraction application is available for download at:

      http://www.lexisnexis.com/redwoodanalytics/pwc/surveys/.

      The user ID and password required for download access is as follows:

      User ID: surveys
      Password: pwc2012


      A key advantage to using this data extraction tool is the ability to preserve your firm's general ledger accounts to the survey-defined classifications across survey releases. Using this application will not only reduce the time to participate in subsequent releases, but will ensure consistency and enhance comparability in the results.

      IMPORTANT: The completed data submissions will be sent  directly to a PwC law firm survey staff member, and at no time will any member of LexisNexis-Redwood Analytics have access to your individual firm's data.

      Alternative method: Spreadsheet-based data form
      The LFSS data extraction application supports only firms who provide a 'total firm' or aggregate data submission. The spreadsheet-based data form (below) should be used if you choose to submit individual office data.

      The 2011 LFSS total firm data form should be completed by a single office law firm, or a multi-office law firm submitting aggregate total firm data.

      The 2011 LFSS multi-office data form should be completed by a multi-office firm submitting data for up through 15 individual offices.

      If your firm is submitting data for more than 15 offices, please contact a survey staff member for an alternative data form.

      Note: New participants in the LFSS wishing to submit prior year data, or past participants in the LFSS who wish to revise prior year data, should contact a member of the survey staff.


    Comparison groups

    The following document contains a listing of all of the standard national and geographic comparison groups we anticipate producing this year. The document also serves as the report order form.

    Download 2012 comparison groups & report order.

    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).

    Download Comparison group descriptions.

    If your firm would like to request 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 staff is available to assist your firm with its comparison group selections. Please email a survey staff member if you need assistance.

    Sample reports

    All of the financial and operational statistics provided in the 2011 LFSS are for the operating year ending December 31, 2011. Base salary information for administrative managers and departmental supervisors are collected and reported as of January 1, 2012. Outlined below are the five 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.

    Download LFSS management partner's report.

    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 with information such as the firm’s relatively high expenses are attributable to a particular department.

    Download LFSS management summary report.

    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 with information about departmental related expenses which may be favorable or "out of line".

    Download LFSS finance & operations report.

    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 additional departmental analyses and budget development. From this report, department managers can report back to the executive director with information about departmental related expenses which may be favorable or "out of line".

    Download LFSS detailed operations report.

    5. The 'Report Export' Spreadsheet is a spreadsheet report (in .xls format) that consists 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 for each office and practice group submitted to the Survey will be included in a separate worksheet.