The Emergence of Large Law Firms in Tokyo

Abstract

It is well known that the vast majority of Japanese practicing attorneys are sole practitioners. Only about 10 percent of the lawyers belong to partnership. Average size of law firms is very small. In the late 1980's, however, the number of firms with more than 10 attorneys is increasing more rapidly than that of firms with less attorneys. The largest law firm is now in Tokyo with more than 50 attorneys.
This paper identifies the recent change in the size of law firms in Tokyo and tries to present a theoretical framework which can explain the emergence of large firms in the late 1980's.