Practicing Law In 20th Century Wisconsin:
Continuity And Change In Everyday
Legal Life, Part 2

Figures

Legislature Occupational Composition

  Professional Lawyers Farmers Commercial Other Politicians

1853   26%   44%  24%  6%  0%
1875   10%   43%  38%  9%  0%
1895   14%   20%  58%  7%  0%
1915   20%   28%  47%  5%  0%
1935   13%   24%  51%  12%  0%
1955   26%   17%  52%  6%  0%
1975   18%   13%  33%  26%  10%
1995   12%   14%  30%  30%  14%

Figure 1

Practice Groups 4

     1935 1955 1975 1995

Solo practice  53% 49% 30% 26%
Firm    37% 32% 42% 51%
Government   4% 7% 11% 12%
Corporate   1% 8% 13% 9%
Women lawyers  1% 2% 3% 16%

Number of firms 50 127 285 292
Largest firm
(single office) 14 36 100 210
Median firm size 6 5 7 21

Figure 2

Median Income (1994 dollars) 7