Jackson Lewis, a national workplace law firm with 541 attorneys in 40 offices, grew in 2008.
Head count grew by 20% in 2008, through August 31; it has grown by another 12% since.
Gross revenue rose 20% in 2008, to just over $233 million, and profits per partner rose 2.6% to $517,000. Revenue per lawyer was flat at $495,000.
The firm says it succeeded in the rough economy by focusing on its employment practice.
“We’re doing fine,” says Patrick Vaccaro, the firm’s managing partner. “A lot of the business we’re doing now is recession-related, but to me, that’s not the kind of business that makes me happy. I’d rather have our employer clients healthy. In the long-term, that’s best for us.”
The firm opened eight new offices in 2008, including Memphis, Tennessee; Jacksonville, Florida; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Detroit, Michigan and Las Vegas, Nevada.
The firm expects to open two or three new offices in 2009.