There are two very significant aspects about today's survey of leading law firms that might not be immediately apparent. So let me spell them out.
The first is that The Australian's survey is now massively superior to our competitor's. Here's the proof: Last week The Australian Financial Review produced a legal affairs section that consisted of one tabloid page with one table showing the results of a survey of firms. On the same day, The Australian's legal affairs section covered two broadsheet pages - equivalent to four tabloid pages - and had three tables on our survey. 
Unlike the AFR, The Australian's survey is conducted professionally by Beaton and is associated with an organisation that is a major player in this market segment, Macquarie Bank.
Today we publish three more tables from our survey and another two broadsheet pages of coverage. There is no AFR legal section today so lawyers should save their money.
Our partnership survey has consisted of six tables, each with sectoral analysis, and the equivalent of eight tabloid pages of editorial coverage. Their survey consisted of one table and a legal affairs section that was confined to one tabloid page.
The Australian's legal affairs section closes today for the summer break - one week after the AFR's- and resumes publication on   January 22 - one week before the AFR.
The other noteworthy aspect of today's coverage concerns the tables based on the survey's findings. We have excluded those firms that have decided not to reveal the key indicator that measures the progress of women lawyers: the proportion of female equity partners.
This change was overdue and was triggered by a complaint by one of the nation's most forthright - and successful - managing partners. His complaint was justified.
The proportion of female equity partners at his firm is well below average. He is trying to address this problem but has consistently disclosed his progress despite knowing that his firm would finish well down the rankings - at least on this measure.
If this firm has been good enough to be entirely transparent about its struggle to redress the gender imbalance at the partners' table, it seems unfair to allow other firms to hide their weaknesses on this measure and only disclose data that portrays them favourably.
Every firm that appears in this survey is committed to transparency. That should be kept in mind when female lawyers and law students are considering where to build their careers.The first step towards solving a problem is not to hide it, but recognise its existence.