Firm Profiles
IN-DEPTH RESEARCH REPORT
on Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP
- - Financial Information
- - Compensation
- - Billing Rates
- - Lateral Partner Moves
- - Pro bono
- - Key Contacts
Sutherland Asbill & Brennan
- Designation: Atlanta
- Head Count: 387
- Gross Revenues: $314,500,000
- Revenue Per Lawyer: $815,000
- Profits Per Partner: $1,045,000
- Year Over Year Change: 1
Founded in Atlanta in 1924, Sutherland grew to distinction on one big insight: whatever else corporate clients might want, they’d always need sophisticated tax advice, both in the south and in Washington, D.C., where the firm opened in 1937. Two of its partners went on to head the IRS and over time the firm spread its reach to add a broad menu of big firm services including: corporate, energy and environmental, financial services, intellectual property, litigation and real estate. It also offers—rather uniquely among the Am Law 100—a crisis management team, to help clients respond to emergencies stemming from external disasters or internal problems.
Despite its early expansion to Washington, Sutherland counts just five offices including small outposts in New York and Houston. The firm has worked to maintain a cohesive culture. Sutherland did take a hit during the recession, seeing its revenues drop by some $20 million between 2007 and 2009 (a fair chunk of its then $289 million revenue). And its lawyer roster also contracted during that time, decreasing by some 50 lawyers (some of whom had been laid off by Sutherland in April 2008). But by the end of 2010, revenue and profits had recovered.
On diversity, Sutherland lags far behind the industry leaders. It ranked 140th of 194 firms on The American Lawyer’s 2011 Diversity Scorecard: Just 10 percent of the firm’s roughly 400 lawyers (and less than 5 percent of the partnership) are minorities. Pro bono work comes in around the average.
Sutherland ranked 105th of 200 firms on our 2011 Pro Bono Report, with attorneys averaging some 33 hours of nonpaying work. But progress may be apace when it comes to junior lawyers’ satisfaction. Sutherland ranked in the bottom half of firms on The American Lawyer’s 2010 Midlevel Associates Survey, but finished in the top third in 2011.
—Updated as of 1/1/12
Firm Rankings
| Survey | Rank | Year Over Year Change | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Am Law 100 | 98 | 1 | Gross revenue |
| Am Law 200 | 98 | 1 | Gross revenue |
| NLJ 250 | 116 | no change | Lawyer head count |
| The A-List | NR | N/A | Overall excellence |
| Pro Bono Scorecard | 105 | 56 | Pro-bono commitment |
| Diversity Scorecard | 120 | no change | Minority head count |
| Midlevel Associates Survey | 38 | 32 | Job satisfaction |
| Summer Associates Survey | 44 | 34 | Summer programs |
In the News
In Houston, Reed Smith Nabs 12 Partners From Texas Firms
Brenda Sapino Jeffreys : Texas Lawyer : March 4, 2013
Reed Smith has opened an office in Houston with 17 lawyers, including 12 partners who came from seven firms in Texas. The lawyers joined Reed Smith in Houston, beginning on Jan. 15, but the Pittsburgh-based firm announced the initial roster of lawyers Feb. 26. The Houston office is the firm's 25th.
Reed Smith Enters Houston Market With 17 Attorneys
Gina Passarella : The Legal Intelligencer : February 27, 2013
After leasing space in Houston last month and working the lateral market, Reed Smith has announced it will officially open its first Texas office with 17 attorneys from seven different firms in the region.
Baker Donelson loses one, gains one
Meredith Hobbs : Daily Report : February 27, 2013
King & Spalding is expanding its environmental litigation practice by bringing in Adam Sowatzka as a partner from Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, where he was a shareholder.
Reed Smith Enters Houston With 17 Attorneys
Gina Passarella : The Legal Intelligencer : February 26, 2013
After leasing space in Houston last month and working the lateral market, Reed Smith has announced it will officially open its first Texas office with 17 attorneys recruited from seven different area firms.
Reed Smith Enters Houston With 17 Attorneys
Gina Passarella : The Legal Intelligencer : February 26, 2013
After leasing space in Houston last month and working the lateral market, Reed Smith has announced it will officially open its first Texas office with 17 attorneys from seven different area firms.
Sutherland does well in a year of changes
Kathleen Baydala Joyner : Daily Report : February 25, 2013
Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan may not have had a platinum year in 2012, but it certainly was solid.
The Churn: Lateral Moves in The Am Law 200
Diane Jeantet : The Am Law Daily : February 15, 2013
Kirkland & Ellis makes an M&A push on the West Coast; Venable adds four lawyers; and Greenberg Traurig loses four partners, including a finance duo to Troutman Sanders in New York. The Churn is constant. Please send all announcements to thechurn@alm.com.
The Am Law 100, the Early Numbers: Kasowitz Benson Makes Modest Gains in Revenue, Profits
Jan Wolfe : The Am Law Daily : February 13, 2013
A year after seeing its gross revenues and profits dip, Kasowitz Benson Friedman & Torres posted gains on both fronts in 2012, according to The American Lawyer's reporting.
Newsmakers
: Texas Lawyer : February 11, 2013
Man of action
Mary Helen Martin : Daily Report : February 1, 2013
No one would accuse Scott Holcomb of being an underachiever.
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