re: Job Offer Question for Lawyers

quote:

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I am not from a law-oriented family, so this is all pretty new to me and I appreciate the tips. I just did not know what to make of the bonuses, I suppose I should have asked first but I was distracted by the salary number, thinking it was a low offer.

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Defense firms with high turnover rates (and I guess even if they don't) treat the first year like a 'training' wage in many places. They know you're going to have to bank time, have time cut (because they've got you as the second or third lawyer at depo, trial, etc.), you're not going to be as efficient until you learn the defense biz and that you're not even going to get a full receipt report before the end of that first year because the pump won't be primed for several months.

I would say the offer is a little low, but not all out of whack for the region - it is a buyer's market for lawyers and legal services.