FAQs

LLFI stands for Leopard Law Firm Index. This is a dynamic rating system applied to all law firms in our database, based on uncompromised, qualitative datasets that are numeric and weighted proportionately to the size of the firm. LLFI 250 is the Leopard Law Firm Index Top 250 ranking. The top rankings are compiled of the largest firms (at least 125 attorneys) with at least a GOOD or VERY GOOD rating.

We are currently measuring the items below. Our own attorney data informs us of growth/decline numbers, hiring, retention and promotions. These numbers can change each week and if a large enough change has occurred, the index would reflect it.

The Leopard Law Firm Index was developed to better reflect the overall stability of a firm using data far beyond financial metrics. We compile data points that we believe speak to a firm’s strengths and weaknesses in an effort to give greater insight into the legal landscape.

Benchmark firms by the index metrics in the Leopard BI Firm Index Report
View a firm’s index score in their Firmscape Report.
Search for firms by their LLFI ranking (LLFI 50, 100, 200 or 250) by using the Firm Rank Filter on any Firmscape Report
Search for candidates at LLFI ranked firms (LLFI 50, 100, 200 or 250) by using the Firm Filter in Leopard List
Search for jobs at LLFI ranked firms (LLFI 50, 100, 200 or 250) using the Firm Filter in Job Search

You can see the publicly available list of our Top 250 firms Here.

This is Leopard Solutions’ own algorithm based on historical data. We analyzed 17 years’ worth of attorney lateral movement to see if there were specific aspects that made an attorney more or less likely to move. This analysis five data points that go into our statistical model;

• Type (position)
• Years of experience
• Duration of stay in the current position
• Latest promotion
• JD School

Data analysis showed us how these factors converged in the past for attorneys who made a lateral move, and we apply that knowledge to the Probability of Move algorithm.

The labels (Low, Medium, High, Very High) depend on the type of attorney. 20% is Very High for a Partner or Counsel, whereas 38% is Very High for an Associate.

Leopard Solutions uses an algorithm to project Firm Financials for non-AmLaw reporting firms. Our algorithm was devised using 15 years’ worth of publicly reported financials as a data set. Based on the structure of the firm, headcount, balance of associates, partners and counsel, locations, and practice areas, we project out financials and update those periodically throughout the year. As a benchmark that we apply to all non-AmLaw firms, it provides a useful comparison. 

Projected Financials are calculated for the US region only, and no historical data is available or displayed.

This is Leopard Solutions’ own algorithm based on historical data. We analyzed 17 years’ worth of attorney lateral movement to see if there were specific aspects that made an attorney more or less likely to move. This analysis five data points that go into our statistical model;

• Type (position)
• Years of experience
• Duration of stay in the current position
• Latest promotion
• JD School

Data analysis showed us how these factors converged in the past for attorneys who made a lateral move, and we apply that knowledge to the Probability of Move algorithm.

The labels (Low, Medium, High, Very High) depend on the type of attorney. 20% is Very High for a Partner or Counsel, whereas 38% is Very High for an Associate.

LLFI stands for Leopard Law Firm Index. This is a dynamic rating system applied to all law firms in our database, based on uncompromised, qualitative datasets that are numeric and weighted proportionately to the size of the firm. LLFI 250 is the Leopard Law Firm Index Top 250 ranking. The top rankings are compiled of the largest firms (at least 125 attorneys) with at least a GOOD or VERY GOOD rating.

We are currently measuring the items below. Our own attorney data informs us of growth/decline numbers, hiring, retention and promotions. These numbers can change each week and if a large enough change has occurred, the index would reflect it.

The Leopard Law Firm Index was developed to better reflect the overall stability of a firm using data far beyond financial metrics. We compile data points that we believe speak to a firm’s strengths and weaknesses in an effort to give greater insight into the legal landscape.

Benchmark firms by the index metrics in the Leopard BI Firm Index Report
View a firm’s index score in their Firmscape Report.
Search for firms by their LLFI ranking (LLFI 50, 100, 200 or 250) by using the Firm Rank Filter on any Firmscape Report
Search for candidates at LLFI ranked firms (LLFI 50, 100, 200 or 250) by using the Firm Filter in Leopard List
Search for jobs at LLFI ranked firms (LLFI 50, 100, 200 or 250) using the Firm Filter in Job Search

You can see the publicly available list of our Top 250 firms Here.

We calculate the ‘return on investment’ in hiring for both laterals and entry level hires.  You can see this in both Firmscape (Firm Entrance& Exit Report) and in the BI Suite (ROI Report) where we calculate the financial losses associated with each loss.  A successful ROI for associates is 3 years.  Partners and Counsels hit their metric at the 5-year mark.

Associate & Counsel costs estimated at $350,000 per hire   |   Partner costs estimated at $500,000 per hire

Associate & Counsel Exit Key: Year 1 -100%, Year 2 -60%, Within Year 3 -25%
Partner Exit Key: Year 1 -100%, Year 2 -90%, Year 3 -50%, Year 4 -20%, Year 5 -0%

This is Leopard Solutions’ own algorithm based on historical data. We analyzed 17 years’ worth of attorney lateral movement to see if there were specific aspects that made an attorney more or less likely to move. This analysis five data points that go into our statistical model;

• Type (position)
• Years of experience
• Duration of stay in the current position
• Latest promotion
• JD School

Data analysis showed us how these factors converged in the past for attorneys who made a lateral move, and we apply that knowledge to the Probability of Move algorithm.

The labels (Low, Medium, High, Very High) depend on the type of attorney. 20% is Very High for a Partner or Counsel, whereas 38% is Very High for an Associate.

All firms that we have researched for 12 months receive a Leopard Firm Index Score.  These scores can be viewed in the Firmscape Report or in the Index report in Leopard BI. Our attorney data informs us of growth decline numbers, hiring, diversity, lawyer tenure, promotions and more. Those numbers can change each week and if a large enough change has occurred, the index would reflect it. The LLFI 250 is a ranking of the larger firms with at least a GOOD or VERY GOOD score.

Weight of data

High Impact

• Average lawyer tenure at a firm which speaks to relative stability at firms 
• Growth or decline in lawyer headcount 
• Ethnic Diversity 

Medium Impact

• Growth/decline in revenue per lawyer (RPL) over a 5-year period, indicating increases or declines in how clients value the lawyers at a firm 
• Relative success in lateral recruiting and retention (partners and associates) 
• Insider Score- surveys of attorneys at the firm about their workplace 
• Relative success in recruiting and retaining entry-level lawyers 
  Low Impact
• Promotions to Partner

Leopard Solutions uses an algorithm to project Firm Financials for non-AmLaw reporting firms. Our algorithm was devised using 15 years’ worth of publicly reported financials as a data set. Based on the structure of the firm, headcount, balance of associates, partners and counsel, locations, and practice areas, we project out financials and update those periodically throughout the year. As a benchmark that we apply to all non-AmLaw firms, it provides a useful comparison. 

Projected Financials are calculated for the US region only, and no historical data is available or displayed.

Our three connection reports look for meaningful connections between firms, attorneys and InHouse counsels.  We look at data points like past experience and law school.  We assign a point value to the TYPE of connection we find.  If they went to the same law school but were in different class years we assign it a low score.  If they went to the same law school but graduated in the same year, that is a higher connection score.  If they worked in the same firm, same office and same practice – that would receive a high point score.

Low =  25       Medium = 26-50 points       High = 50+ points

All firms that we have researched for 12 months receive a Leopard Firm Index Score.  These scores can be viewed in the Firmscape Report or in the Index report in Leopard BI. Our attorney data informs us of growth decline numbers, hiring, diversity, lawyer tenure, promotions and more. Those numbers can change each week and if a large enough change has occurred, the index would reflect it. The LLFI 250 is a ranking of the larger firms with at least a GOOD or VERY GOOD score.

Weight of data

High Impact

• Average lawyer tenure at a firm which speaks to relative stability at firms 
• Growth or decline in lawyer headcount 
• Ethnic Diversity 

Medium Impact

• Growth/decline in revenue per lawyer (RPL) over a 5-year period, indicating increases or declines in how clients value the lawyers at a firm 
• Relative success in lateral recruiting and retention (partners and associates) 
• Insider Score- surveys of attorneys at the firm about their workplace 
• Relative success in recruiting and retaining entry-level lawyers 
  Low Impact
• Promotions to Partner

Leopard Solutions uses an algorithm to project Firm Financials for non-AmLaw reporting firms. Our algorithm was devised using 15 years’ worth of publicly reported financials as a data set. Based on the structure of the firm, headcount, balance of associates, partners and counsel, locations, and practice areas, we project out financials and update those periodically throughout the year. As a benchmark that we apply to all non-AmLaw firms, it provides a useful comparison. 

Projected Financials are calculated for the US region only, and no historical data is available or displayed.