SMEs in Legal and Architecture Services

Through analysis of available data and outreach to representative firms, this paper focuses on small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in two segments of the professional services sector: legal and architecture services. We discuss the definition of SMEs in each of these industry segments; SMEs’ contribution to the number of U.S. establishments, employment, and exports; the types of services provided to overseas clients; and the channels through which these services are supplied. The analysis reveals meaningful distinctions between large and SME professional services firms, including differences in revenues, number of employees, the means of providing services to foreign clients (with larger firms tending to have establishments abroad), and the types of services provided (with small firms tending to provide niche services). Architecture services SMEs generally appear to be more reliant on overseas travel relative to SMEs in the legal services industry; however, different practices may exist across and within firms due to individual preferences and needs.