partner comp: three subjective compensation systems

plus balloting details for those who use paper and pencil.judge gavel,dollar banknotes and calculators

by marc rosenberg
partner comp: art & science

there are at least three performance-based systems for partner compensation. none rely completely on intractable formulas, but instead introduce various degrees of subjectivity. needless to say, none are without some controversy.

more on partner compensation: 11 points in designing a partner comp system | 3 tiers of compensation | what partners earn and how they earn it | how partners view compensation: it’s not all about the money

but each system requires serious thought. here’s a comprehensive of the three approaches. which does your firm use now? why? which might be a better approach?

let’s take a closer look: