Law firms have used a variety of tools to get more money for especially high-performers over the last few years. But firms in 2025 are simultaneously looking for ways to battle “compensation creep,” or significantly increased pay for partners who haven’t necessarily increased their productivity or contributions to the firm, but have benefited from the rise of share and point values, several industry analysts say.

Some law firm fixes for compensation creep include an emphasis on profitability, capping cash payouts, or cutting shares. A good grasp of partners’ performance data and clear communication about expectations for them are also critical, consultants say.

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