Firm Profiles

It may not stand out on revenue, or profits, or a novel practice area no other firm has, but Philadelphia–based Pepper Hamilton is noteworthy in one key respect: It is the only Am Law 100 (or even Am Law 200) firm to have a nonlawyer chief executive officer. Scott Green, who was appointed CEO in early 2012, oversees both the firm’s legal and management functions. “[We] concluded that a management model that more closely resembles those of our clients would enable [us] to focus on providing legal services in the most effective way,” says Nina Gussack, chairwoman of Pepper Hamilton’s executive committee.

Pepper has also been a proponent of alternative fee arrangements. Indeed, its Web site highlights ten different models the firm has embraced, from flat fees to success fees to collar arrangements. Alternative fees now account for more than 15 percent of the firm’s revenues.

While Pepper has a broad–based practice, it counts health care, intellectual property, litigation, and corporate work as particular focal points. The firm has 11 U.S. offices (including four within Pennsylvania), but hasn’t yet opened any international outposts.

Pepper’s pro bono commitment—lawyers averaged more than 40 hours a year, according to The American Lawyer’s 2011 Pro Bono Report—put it within the top half of Am Law 200 firms. The same is not true for the firm’s diversity record, however. With minorities accounting for less than 9 percent of its lawyers—and less then 6 percent of its partnership—Pepper placed a lackluster 143rd place (out of 194 firms) on our 2011 Diversity Scorecard. Junior lawyers have had their gripes too: Pepper finished well in the bottom half of firms on The American Lawyer’s Midlevel Associates Survey in both 2010 and 2011. Now at least they have a new—and very different—manager to take their complaints to.

—Updated as of 2/1/12