More top law firms are setting earnings expectations for partners — seeking to be explicit about origination or business requirements — as firms place more emphasis on profitability now.

The exact expectations and penalties vary by firm. For instance, more top law firms have initiated earnings expectations for their equity partners, such as at least $5 million to $7 million in business each year, said Mike Parrillo, a recruiter in New York and founder of Parrillo Search Group.