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36 J u l y 2 0 1 4 w w w . C A N A D I A N L a w y e r m a g . c o m by respondents. Heller says the profit allocation problem has been around as long as there have been law firms. "I've been hearing that forever, and I think always will," she says. "In good times when everyone is making money, it's less of an issue. Even then, you might think you deserve a bit more of the pie. In bad times, you become very aware of what every- one else is making." Luckily, this year was a good one for most partners according to the survey, with 51 per cent of firms reporting an increase in partners' earnings in the last year. However, reminders of the delicacy of the market recovery are never too far away. Around nine per cent of firms de-equitized part- ners in the last year, while the Heenan Blaikie LLP collapse (read more in this month's cover story) is fresh in everyone's minds. "That really hit home for so many people. A lot of people have taken a step back, and had a good look at their own firms. There's a recognition that if it could happen to such a well-regarded and well-established firm, it could hap- pen to anyone," says Heller. Eat-what-you-kill remained the most popular compensa- tion method for partners, in place at just under a quarter of firms surveyed. Around 30 per cent of partners' compensa- tion fell between $100,000 and $200,000 across the country, with 8.3 per cent bringing home over $600,000 per year. About 87 per cent of firms offer benefits to partners and associates, accounting for around 10 per cent of compensa- IN BaD tIMeS, You BeCoMe VerY aWare oF WHat eVerYoNe elSe IS MakING. Sector gov't financial industrial/ resource- Service technology Non-profi t professional manufacturing based Services average gc at director level average gc at executive level $149,000 142,000 244,000 180,000 160,000 209,000 160,000 150,000 $159,000 198,000 224,000 266,000 196,000 242,000 169,000 222,000 SeNIor IN-HouSe CouNSel CoMPeNSatIoN BY INDuStrY Sample size: 53 SeNIor IN-HouSe CouNSel CoMPeNSatIoN median lowest highest general counsel at director level $170,000 100,000 500,000 general counsel at executive level $200,000 90,000 500,000 Sample size: 53 and earlier Year of call median lowest highest 2013 $89,000 62,267 100,000 2012 $89,000 66,430 130,000 2011 $93,500 70,593 140,000 2010 $97,000 76,144 155,000 2009 $115,000 81,694 190,000 2008 $115,000 88,168 160,000 2007 $130,000 89,000 175,000 2006 $128,000 96,738 175,000 2005 $150,000 98,880 208,000 2004 $150,000 89,000 350,000 IN-HouSe CouNSel CoMPeNSatIoN Sample size: 71