A new online directory of legal employers is providing lawyers and law students with an unprecedented look at Canada’s law firms. The Canadian Directory of Legal Employers, located at nalpcanada.com, mirrors the National Association for Law Placement (NALP) site in the U.S., providing users with searchable firm profiles. Last year, Canadian firms were asked to report information about their size and location, and provide data on equity, partnership, flex programs, compensation, pro bono work, and diversity. This fall, students will rely on these online profiles when applying for summer jobs.

After a little number-crunching, Precedent was able to squeeze out some useful information. Our analysis uncovered some interesting stories, but also revealed a few shortcomings in the new directory.

In the pages that follow, we present our analysis. We learn which firms have the highest percentage of women partners (even the top firm is still far from 50 percent); who’s setting up shop internationally (Canadian firms are still relatively small global players); and which firm has the shortest partnership track (though the meaning of “partner” has changed). We’ve also highlighted a few firms with unique practice areas.

Our analysis also revealed the shortcomings of the new directory. First, the onus is on the firms to report their data accurately — and many did not. Some firms reported national numbers when asked for local numbers. With regard to partnership, the constraints of the directory made reporting on two-tier partnership tracks unclear and potentially misleading.

Finally, firms were asked to report the number of lawyers with a particular specialization. In some instances firms reported that every member of the firm practises in every area. In other cases firms had to offer a rough estimate if they had no formal group that practised exclusively in that particular area. And the biggest shortcoming? Some firms didn’t report at all.

The directory is still in its infancy, and will likely suffer some growing pains. As the database grows, it will be able to offer a better picture of Canada’s legal landscape. Read on to learn what we discovered.

• Across the sea: Canadian firms boast far-flung outposts, but going abroad doesn’t mean going global
• Women at the gates: More equal as associates, but partnership still elusive
• Climbing the ranks: Not all partnerships are created equal
• Specialties: From mining to marketing, being special is good for business