Big Law’s Blowout Year Piling Hours on Associates, Survey Shows

An unrelenting work surge is padding Big Law partners’ pockets while associates feel the burden of additional tasks, according to a Wells Fargo Private Bank survey.

Revenue grew 16.5% in the first six months of the year at the 50 largest U.S. law firms compared to the same period in 2020, the survey showed. Net income rose 38% at the firms compared with last year.

The firms’ associates are on pace to bill 1,817 hours on average this year; up nearly 10% from 1,652 hours a year ago, Joe Mendola, managing director in Wells Fargo’s legal specialty group, said in ...