Some top partners in BigLaw will bill nearly $3,000 per hour next year, data says
Billing rates for some of the nation’s highest-grossing law firms are expected to continue an upward climb next year. (Image from Shutterstock)
Billing rates for some of the nation’s highest-grossing law firms are expected to continue an upward climb next year.
Some senior partners are expected to bill nearly $3,000 per hour, and a few might top that amount, Law.com reports in a story citing data by Valeo Partners, which analyzes public disclosure documents to discern upcoming rate changes.
Currently, nine firms have standard hourly rates for senior partners that range from about $2,400 to $2,875, according to Chuck Chandler, the CEO of Valeo Partners. Seventeen others will be in that range by 2025, he told Law.com.
Standard billing rates for the nation’s 50 top-grossing firms, however, are expected to be $2,100 for senior partners and $1,900 for other partners.
Valeo Partners didn’t disclose which firms are charging the highest rates for senior partners. Bankruptcy filings reveal, however, that some top partners billed $2,720 per hour this year at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati and billed $2,590 per hour last year at McDermott Will & Emery, according to Law.com.
Bankruptcy filings from 2024 reveal that some senior associates billed $1,575 per hour at Sullivan & Cromwell and $1,560 per hour at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison.
Hat tip to Above the Law.
