partner

it depends, and not on what role you play.

by marc rosenberg
partner comp: art & science

there  are  two  responses to the headline question. first, there is no automatic rule or customary practice that says the managing partner shall be the highest paid partner.

more on partner compensation: how large and small firms allocate income | integrating partner comp with strategic planning | partner pay: the declining importance of book of business | 3 non-performance-based comp systems | 3 subjective compensation systems | what partners earn and how they earn it | why most partner comp systems are performance-based

second, it depends on how the mp’s overall performance compares to other partners. firm management, originating clients and the size of one’s clients under management (“book of business”) are far and away the factors that earn the most income for a partner.

here are illustrations of various scenarios:
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paying for performance alone doesn’t always work.

by august aquila
creating the effective partnership

many of us, including myself, thought that the right compensation plan would solve the answer to underperformance and motivation. over the last 10 years or so, firms have moved from a formula-based plan to a pay-for-performance plan that takes into consideration

• production,
• business development,
• value enhancement and
• behavioral factors.

more on leadership for pro members: work together better in 11 steps | the checks and balances your firm needs | don’t weed out the roses | back to basics: 25 ways to grow your practice | 3 ways to halt a poor leader | 8 questions that staff ask in a merger

while this has helped place more emphasis on performance, it hasn’t been a magic bullet. why are so many firms still missing the boat when it comes to motivating partners and staff to perform at a higher level?
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