As owners, law firm partners are typically at the “top of the pyramid” in a law firm. Below partners, you will find associates—lawyers who are employed by the law firm but do not have ownership of the business. In addition, some law firms may also engage the services of “of counsel” lawyers who are not employees of the firm but work for the firm as independent contractors. Typically, “of counsel” lawyers are specialists or highly experienced lawyers who offer their services to a law firm on a part-time basis.