Growing Pains

Since 1986, when The American Lawyer first published a list of the 100 highest-grossing firms in the United States, the total number of lawyers in The Am Law 100 has almost tripled. In 1986, it numbered 25,994. In 2005, it reached 70,161. That's a truly stunning increase-and one that you might think was the foundation for The Am Law 100's wondrous escalation in profits per partner, which in this year's survey averaged more than $1 million.

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