The latest data from national banks and consultants show revenue and demand lagging nationally in 2015 compared with 2014, and many are warning of a legal industry slowdown in the fourth quarter that could make for a rough start to 2016. That contrasts with the optimism found in The Legal Intelligencer's most recent Managing Partners Survey.

Despite the disparity in the various surveys and studies, a common theme heard among legal observers is that with competition so heavy and the landscape often changing rapidly, success is going to be less about what segment law firms reside in and more about individual firm performance.

In light of those factors and studies, and after talking to consultants, it appears that on average the best revenue growth most Pennsylvania firms can expect in 2016 is a range from 0 to 3 percent.

Video: Analysis of the Coming Year Presentation Before the Law Firm Marketing Association

The November report from Citi Private Bank's Law Firm Group showed that law firm revenue was up 3.6 percent through the first nine months of 2015, versus the 4 percent growth seen during the same time period in 2014. When it came to Pennsylvania firms, Citi's report showed even tougher numbers: revenue was up only 1.8 percent, putting it ninth out of 11 total regions.