Surveys: What's new for 2009

Valuable feedback from our law firm participants has resulted in the following enhancements to the 2009 surveys

Billing rate & associate salary survey plus (BRASSplus): US
The 2009 BRASSplus mid-year release includes all of the columns of data collected from the 2009 initial release, and as such in not considered to be a ‘Lite’ release. We expanded the compensation data to include Partners along with Associates and Senior Attorneys. Two additional new fields of data collection were added in the Initial release of the Survey — Gender & Race — which will also be included in this release. Values for the Race column should only be included for US-based timekeepers.

Download a one-page overview of the 2009 BRASSplus survey.

Cultural awareness & inclusion survey (CAIS)

Developed over the past year with significant input from our PwC diversity advisory group, diverse attorneys and organizations and outside law firms, the CAIS is designed to measure the rich diversity found within the law firm industry. The CAIS is divided into two sections designed to fit the needs of our participants. Participants can choose to participate in one, or both, sections of the survey.

On February 24th 2009, the PwC law firm survey group conducted a webcast to provide an overview of this new survey offering.

Download a copy of the 2009 CAIS webcast presentation.
Download a one-page overview of the 2009 CAIS survey.

Law firm statistical survey (LFSS)

Four new 'hot topic' areas: In addition to the core profitability metrics offered annually, the 2008 LFSS provides participants with information identified as key areas influencing a firm's growth in the new economy.
  1. Client concentration
  2. Bank borrowings
  3. New partner capital buy-in
  4. Management of non-equity partners


Two additional administrative functions: The headcount and compensation for individuals working within the Professional development and Business intake & conflicts group will now be reported separately.

Further delineation on the admissions to partnership: In response to the growing shift to a two-tiered partnership, the partner admissions information has been updated to break-out the admissions to equity or non-equity partnership.

Download a one-page overview of the LFSS.
Download the content of our four new 'hot topics' 2008 LFSS hot topics.