Bird & Bird was one of few firms to grow headcount in 2010-11 while also increasing turnover, its annual limited liability partnership (LLP) accounts filing has highlighted.

The document, published on Companies House, shows that the top 15 City firm increased fee earner count by 3% from 654 to 673, with the firm saying its European offices grew the most, including the Stockholm office which broke the 100 people barrier for the first time. The firm also hired additional support staff, with the total number growing by 7% from 586 to 628.

The increase saw Bird & Bird paying €81.1m (£67.7m) in salaries including staff bonuses, up 3% from €78.6m (£65.6m) in 2009-10. The firm also grew the number of LLP members, by 5% from 203 to 213, while the highest remunerated partner taking home €868,000 (£724,000), compared to €863,000 (£720,000) last year.

Meanwhile, cash at bank and in hand decreased slightly from €9.3m (£7.8m) to €5.5m (£4.6m) at the firm last year.

Turnover at the firm stood at €239.5m (£199.8m), up from €228.7m (£190.8m) the previous year, putting it 15th in the top 50. Profits for discretionary division among members rose from €75.1m (£59.6m) to €75.8m (£63.2m). Conversions are based on the current rate of exchange.

Bird & Bird is unusual among UK firms for accounting in euros. The firm said it initially opted for this because a majority of its operations are based in Europe and only around a third in the UK.