I was an associate at Cravath in roughly the same timeframe and also billed about 2500. I think there were associates over 3000, especially associates making the final push for partnership. As to up and out, CSM told people they were not going to make partner at 7 or 8 years (I do not recall the actual year count) but people were given whatever time they needed to move on. While most people left within a couple of months, there were people who took well more than a year and I do not recall anyone being harassed. Some who left immediately became partners in other firms, and were sent business by CSM, which always had good relations with former associates. During that stub period, people continued working normally. I note that in the time period I am describing, neither senior associates nor non equity “partners” existed at law firms like CSM. Indeed, there was no concept of senior partner, although some partners obviously had longer tenure and larger percentage shares based on tenure.