Fewer Associates Promoted To Partner In Downturn

By Shannon Henson

Law360, New York (November 11, 2009, 4:51 PM ET) -- The recession has prompted some large firms to be more conservative about promoting associates to partner in 2009, according to legal industry observers.

It's hard to generalize how law firms are making promotional decisions this year, but the classes seem to be smaller so far, consultants said.

And the emerging trend of smaller partner classes may be one of the long-term impacts of the downturn, they said.

“I think changes at the associate level and staffing alternatives will stay in force,” Toni Whittier of Whittier Legal...
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