Bird & Bird's highest-paid member for 2011-12 earned €1m (£812,000), up 15% on the previous year's top figure of €868,000 (£705,000), the firm's limited liability partnership (LLP) accounts have revealed.

The firm, which uses euros for accounting purposes, grew fee-earner headcount while also increasing revenues over the year, with total fee earners rising 6% to 385 and revenue up 13% to €271m (£219m).

Profits for division among members grew 15% to €86.6m (£70.3m) during the year, up from €75.1m (£60.9m) in 2010-11. Conversions are based on the current rate of exchange.

The firm also took on 8% more support staff, with back office headcount rising to 456, up on the previous year's figure of 423.

The report also shows that Bird & Bird paid €92.1m (£74.8m) in salaries including staff bonuses, up 14% on €81.1m (£65.8m) in 2010-11, and that the firm invested €24,000 (£19,500) in its Sweden, Czech Republic and Slovakia arms during the year.

The accounts show consolidated net debt has decreased 12% to €22.5m (£18.3m) from €25.7m (£20.8m) at the end of the 2010-11 year. However, bank loans increased to €2.9m (£2.4m) from €7.4m (£6m), with the firm repaying €4.1m (£3.3m) in 2011-12 compared with €2.5m (£2m) in 2010.

Bird & Bird CEO David Kerr (pictured) said: "Overall I think the report reflects a healthy set of figures. We worked hard to reduce net debt in a very difficult economic climate, and have had to be conservative on our spending."

The news comes after the firm last month reported a double-digit rise in half-year revenues for the 2012-13 financial year, with fee income up 12% on the same period last year.