The perils of success

Partners at big law firms rise to the top of a legal pyramid scheme - with a fountain of money gushing upwards. But that doesn't make them safe and secure. No partner is immune from the threat of early retirement - if they fail to keep bringing in the big bucks. Few make it past their late 50s before getting the the dread tap on the shoulder from their colleagues - to make way for younger blood. And even a successful year brings just a short celebration - before the added pressure of having to do even better next time.