It's also one percentage point below the average growth for the past five years. Still, eight firms reported double-digit gains in 2000. Four of those firms increased their attorney staffs by 20 percent or more. Lawyers at those firms said the business of law remained strong. They downplayed any effect of a weakening economy.
Law firms have some immunity from that.
However, the year 2000 meant growth of two percent or less for five firms on the list, and eight firms lost size, the survey shows. Twenty-seven firms qualified for Lawyers Weekly's 12th annual survey, with three firms tying for 25th place. Increasingly, big firms from other states have elbowed their way into Tar Heel cities and onto Lawyers Weekly's survey. Five of the 27 largest firms in this year's chart are headquartered elsewhere. It added eight local attorneys in 2000.