How to Read a NALP Form
BigLaw Bear · 2 min read
Every major law firm submits data to the NALP Directory of Legal Employers. These forms are publicly accessible and contain a treasure trove of information that most law students ignore because the format is dense. Here is what to look for.
Where to find them
NALP forms are available through your law school's career services office or through the NALP directory online. Most schools provide access during OCI season.
The key data points
Number of associates and partners. This tells you the firm's leverage ratio. A high associate-to-partner ratio (4:1 or more) means associates are doing more of the work and there is more competition for partnership. A lower ratio means more partner oversight and potentially earlier responsibility.
Billable hours. Look for the firm's minimum billable hours requirement and the average hours actually billed. The minimum is the floor. The average tells you what is really expected. If the minimum is 1,900 but the average is 2,100, associates are working well above the stated requirement.
Associate demographics. The form shows diversity data by class year. This tells you more than any firm's diversity statement about how inclusive the firm actually is.
Summer associate data. How many summers did the firm hire? How many received offers? The offer rate should be 90%+ at a reputable firm. If it is significantly lower, ask why.
Pro bono. Look at the average pro bono hours per attorney and whether pro bono counts toward the billable hours target. Some firms talk about pro bono but do not actually support it in practice.
Training. Look for information about formal training programs, mentorship structures, and professional development budgets.
What NALP does not tell you
NALP data is self-reported by the firms. It does not tell you about firm culture, work quality, partner behavior, or day-to-day experience. Pair NALP data with Glassdoor reviews, Chambers rankings, and conversations with real associates.
The firm directory consolidates much of this data into an easier format, but reading the raw NALP form gives you the full picture.