Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer's top-earning partner made more than £3m last year, despite the firm seeing a slight dip in profits per equity partner (PEP).

The firm's first limited liability partnership (LLP) filings with Companies House show the highest-paid member took home £3.3m in the 2008-09 financial year, compared with £2.7m the previous year.

Freshfields explained the increase, which came despite average PEP falling by just under 1% to £1.4m last year, by stating that the £3.3m figure included retirement payments as well as standard profit share. Total profit available to distribute to members was down by 21% to £523.1m, compared to £660.8m the year before.