Among some of the most profitable firms in the AmLaw 100, old-fashioned lockstep compensation systems remain in place. The partner pay scales have low spreads – often less than 4:1. Because these firms maintain such high profits per partner, partners have little reason to complain. However, even the most profitable firms have become more vulnerable to the lateral market over recent years. It has become more common for partners to make lateral moves to firms with high-spread compensation systems where they will be individually rewarded according to their value to the firm.
Source: www.law.com