What is law firm hierarchy? (2024)

Law firm hierarchy is the structure of job titles at a law firm and consists of managing partners at the top and summer associates at the bottom. Here is a more detailed description of the roles in the law firm hierarchy, starting with the highest position and descending to the lowest position:

• Managing partners. Managing partners of a law firm are the highest officials of the firm. These consist of senior-level lawyers or founders of the firm. This is the position most lawyers are gunning for when they take a job at a law firm, however, it typically takes many years of hard work and dedication to obtain it. Managing partners are usually part of an executive committee composed of senior-level lawyers of the firm. They have the top authority in the firm and creative objectives and strategic visions for the company. Managing partners also play kingmaker in the sense that they, in a democratic effort, can make lower-level lawyers partners of the firm.

• Law firm partners. One rung down the ladder is law firm partners. These professionals may also be referred to as shareholders, in that they are joint owners and operators of the firm. The types and structures of law firm partnerships can vary. Sole proprietorships are law firms with just one attorney, while general partnerships, limited liability companies (LLCs), professional associations, and limited liability partnerships (LLPs) are the most common kinds of law firms. Many law firms have a two-leveled partnership structure. Equity partners are partners that have ownership stakes in the firm and share its revenue. Non-equity partners typically have a fixed annual salary. Depending on the individual structure of a particular law firm, non-equity partners may or may not have voting rights about matters within the law firm. Non-equity partners are often promoted to equity partners within a timeframe of one to three years. And they are also often asked to make a monetary contribution to the firm. In other words, they are purchasing their title of equity partner.

• Associates. Next down the hierarchy are associates. These are mostly young lawyers at a firm that are hoping to one day become a partner. Large-scale law firms generally have two tiers of associates: junior associates and senior associates. These titles are given depending on the individual merit and experience level of the lawyer. Most associates work as such for six to nine years before becoming a partner. Factors that partners weigh when considering if an associate should make partner include the associate's legal knowledge and skills, the size of their client base, and how well they fit into the company's culture.

• Of counsel attorneys. These lawyers are not technically employees of the law firm and work as independent contractors that the firm often calls upon. However, lawyers in these positions generally have a lot of experience and have many of their clients outside of the law firm. They also usually have stellar reputations in the legal community. Many are semi-retired lawyers who were formerly partners of the law firm. Others are hired as necessary additions to supplement the firm's client base or because they have expert legal knowledge in a specific area of the law.

• Summer associates. At the very bottom of the law firm hierarchy are the summer associates. These roles can also be referred to as summer clerks, law clerks, or interns. Individuals in these roles are law students who work with the firm during the summer months or any length of time where they might be off from law school. Internships at smaller firms are typically unpaid, while programs at large-scale law firms can be quite competitive because they offer significant compensation for interns. A stellar summer associate may receive a permanent position offer at the law firm once they graduate law school and pass the bar exam.