Israel’s per capita rate of lawyers among world’s highest

Last year saw 6.5 percent growth in the number of lawyers compared to 2009, with roughly 45,000 lawyers in the country.

By RON FRIEDMAN
katzav lawyers lavie efldman amir (photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski [file])
katzav lawyers lavie efldman amir
(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski [file])
There was one lawyer for every 170 people in Israel in 2010 – compared to one lawyer for every 295 people in the US, and a one for every 580 people in Germany, according to a report by business ranking firm BDI-COFACE published on Monday.
Last year saw 6.5 percent growth in the number of lawyers compared to 2009, with roughly 45,000 lawyers in the country.
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The report found that even though 50% of lawyers internationally are female, women make up only 25% of partners in law firms. Women head only 10% of the law firms in Israel.
The growth in the number of lawyers was accompanied with a growth in the number of judges. According to the report, 2010 saw 3% growth in the number of judges; the number of court cases grew by 4%.
The fastest increase in the number of lawyers – 7.5% – took place in the top 10 law firms of BDI’s ranking.
The growth rate in the top 100 law firms stood at 5%. For both groups of firms the majority of the growth was in the number of junior lawyers, not in the number of partners – an indication that work volumes increased.
However, fewer people were promoted to senior positions.
BDI’s ranking – based on a firm’s size, clientele and special projects – found that, as in previous years, the law firm Herzog-Fuchs Neeman was ranked in first place. The firm employs 120 associates and 64 partners, maintaining its lead in the industry by being involved in the most important mergers and acquisitions.
Second and third places also remained the same, with the Goldfarb, Levy, Eran, Meiri, Tzafrir & Co. law firm employing 99 associates and 40 partners in second; and Meitar Liquornik Geva & Leshem Brandwein employing 96 lawyers and 37 partners, in third.
Because of the unique nature of the ranking, small and medium-sized law firms also managed to reach high places on the list – with companies like Caspi & Co., which employs 31 people in 13th place, and Zellermayer, Pelossof, Rosovsky, Tsafrir, Toledano & Co., which employs 35 people, in 19th place.