New ALM Research Study Finds Female Lawyers BillClients at Lower Rates Than Male Counterparts.

NEW YORK -- Female lawyers in smaller firms and solo practices generally bill clients at lower rates than their male counterparts. This and other billing trends are highlighted in the 2007 Survey Report of Billing Rates & Practices, a new ALM Research syndicated survey of billing information,

focused on small, mid-sized and solo legal practices. The report includes analyses of billing rates and alternative billing practices based on firm size, geography, practice area, client industry, years in practice, and gender. The full report is available for purchase at www.almresearchonline.com.

More than 5,000 lawyers throughout the 50 United States responded to the Web-based survey. The average hourly billing rate was $240. The average reported billable hour requirements were 1701 hours for partners, and 1755 hours for associates.

In addition, 88 percent of respondents reported offering alternatives to the billable hour, while 69 percent reportedly offered variations, including fixed/flat fees and contingency arrangements. The study found that 90 percent of male attorneys reported offering alternatives to the billable hour compared to 84 percent of female lawyers, while 70 percent of males reportedly offered variations on the billable hour, compared with 67% of females.

"The survey yielded surprising results, not only in terms of gender differences, but also in terms of variations across practice areas, geographies, and years in practice. The data is an excellent benchmarking tool for lawyers who are interested in learning what their peers are charging clients," said Ellen Siegel, vice president of licensing and business development at ALM.

For more information, contact Christine Yoest at 212-545-5951 or cyoest@alm.com.

ALM Research offers detailed business information for and about the legal industry, focused on the top U.S. and international law firms. The division's ALM Research Online (www.almresearchonline.com)

Web service provides subscribers with direct, on-demand access to ALM's extensive database of surveys, rankings and lists related to law firms and the legal industry. The site also includes the ALM Research Online store where non-subscribers can purchase and download individual law firm reports, select current-year survey data and ALM Research syndicated survey reports.

About ALM

ALM is a leading integrated media company, focused on the legal and business communities. ALM currently owns and publishes 33 national and regional magazines and newspapers, including The American Lawyer, Corporate Counsel, The National Law Journal and Real Estate Forum. The company is one of North America's largest producers of conferences and trade shows for business leaders and the legal profession. ALM's Law.com is the Web's leading legal news and information network, while ALM's GlobeSt.com is the Web's leading information source for commercial real estate professionals. Other ALM businesses include book and newsletter publishing, court verdict and settlement reporting, production of professional educational seminars, market research and content distribution. For more information, visit www.alm.com. ALM is an Incisive Media company.

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