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Message
re: First Year Attorney Starting Salary?
Posted on 9/28/17 at 2:31 pm to tketaco
Posted on 9/28/17 at 2:31 pm to tketaco
quote:
GF took the Bar over the summer, worked as a Paralegal for several years then "baby lawyer". Hired on to a firm till her results come in November at $75k. Will get paid full salary afterwards.
That's a low starting salary, but perhaps where the legal market is right now.
2
Posted on 9/28/17 at 2:34 pm to NIH
quote:
I've always interesting that people on here talk about big law so much when there are what, a handful of those firms in the state?
There really isn't "big law" in Louisiana. A couple big firms have small offices in New Orleans, but that's about it...Proskauer, Jackson Lewis, Locke Lord
Posted on 9/28/17 at 2:36 pm to Gnarkill
288
But most lawyers dont deserve one penny
But most lawyers dont deserve one penny
Posted on 9/28/17 at 2:36 pm to Jim Smith
quote:
There really isn't "big law" in Louisiana. A couple big firms have small offices in New Orleans, but that's about it...Proskauer, Jackson Lewis, Locke Lord
It's true through a lot of the South. Makes it hard to make confident law school decisions (from a financial perspective) in states without reliable legal markets - LA, AL, MS, Arkansas, etc.
Posted on 9/28/17 at 2:38 pm to Jim Smith
quote:
That's a low starting salary, but perhaps where the legal market is right now.
Not really for most of the South, save major population centers.
But I think he's saying she'll make more after the bar results and she can practice (which is standard).
Posted on 9/28/17 at 2:39 pm to Gnarkill
Depends on the size of the law firm, if you have a LLM or what type of law you practice.
It is around $75,000
It is around $75,000
Posted on 9/28/17 at 2:41 pm to NIH
Not to mention big law jobs generally suck balls. I turned down a recruiter recently for a big law gig that wanted 1900 minimum billable hours. I'd rather not be a slave
Posted on 9/28/17 at 2:42 pm to Gnarkill
Defense work:
Big firms (Kean Miller, Jones Walker, Phelps) pay in the 90s for first year associates. Get a raise every year, but it's only a couple grand or so.
Mid size (Keogh Cox, Long Law Firm, Donahue Patrick, et.) start out around $70k, or less.
Small firms (one man shops) I wouldn't expect to clear more than $65k in salary.
In house: anywhere from $75k-$90k with great hours and experience.
Plaintiff:
Depending on the set up, you could be getting used making $50k a year or make $100k. Really just depends on whether the firm sticks you on a salary or gives you a percentage of the percentage you settle cases for.
All in all, don't expect to make over $100k starting out unless you work big law in Houston. And don't expect a big pay jump for 6-10 years. Once you make partner, the money becomes decent, but until then you aren't making a killing.
Big firms (Kean Miller, Jones Walker, Phelps) pay in the 90s for first year associates. Get a raise every year, but it's only a couple grand or so.
Mid size (Keogh Cox, Long Law Firm, Donahue Patrick, et.) start out around $70k, or less.
Small firms (one man shops) I wouldn't expect to clear more than $65k in salary.
In house: anywhere from $75k-$90k with great hours and experience.
Plaintiff:
Depending on the set up, you could be getting used making $50k a year or make $100k. Really just depends on whether the firm sticks you on a salary or gives you a percentage of the percentage you settle cases for.
All in all, don't expect to make over $100k starting out unless you work big law in Houston. And don't expect a big pay jump for 6-10 years. Once you make partner, the money becomes decent, but until then you aren't making a killing.
Posted on 9/28/17 at 2:44 pm to The Johnny Lawrence
quote:
Defense work:
Big firms (Kean Miller, Jones Walker, Phelps) pay in the 90s for first year associates. Get a raise every year, but it's only a couple grand or so.
Mid size (Keogh Cox, Long Law Firm, Donahue Patrick, et.) start out around $70k, or less.
Small firms (one man shops) I wouldn't expect to clear more than $65k in salary.
In house: anywhere from $75k-$90k with great hours and experience.
Plaintiff:
Depending on the set up, you could be getting used making $50k a year or make $100k. Really just depends on whether the firm sticks you on a salary or gives you a percentage of the percentage you settle cases for.
All in all, don't expect to make over $100k starting out unless you work big law in Houston. And don't expect a big pay jump for 6-10 years. Once you make partner, the money becomes decent, but until then you aren't making a killing.
This. All of this. Solid post.
Posted on 9/28/17 at 2:49 pm to The Johnny Lawrence
A few defense firms in BR pay over $100k to first year associates. The raise schedule depends on the firm (I have heard everything from $2k to $10k / year). There are some plaintiff's firms that pay their attorneys a considerable amount. Say what you want about the G, but his attorneys are well compensated (i.e., between $125k-200k after first year).
But unless you secure one of the top jobs - which honestly, is a pretty solid gig - you could be struggling. I know people who started out in the $30k range.
But unless you secure one of the top jobs - which honestly, is a pretty solid gig - you could be struggling. I know people who started out in the $30k range.
This post was edited on 9/28/17 at 2:50 pm
Posted on 9/28/17 at 2:49 pm to The Johnny Lawrence
Yeah, that's pretty accurate from what I know (plaintiff side), Higher-caliber defense firms will pay more, but you're going to have the billable hour requirements. Definitely making a tradeoff regarding quality of life when you first start out.
Posted on 9/28/17 at 2:55 pm to boosiebadazz
With all these lawyers on the OT, it seems pretty unethical to be on here all day billing clients....
Posted on 9/28/17 at 2:57 pm to DirtyMikeandtheBoys
quote:
With all these lawyers on the OT, it seems pretty unethical to be on here all day billing clients....
It's called multitasking
Posted on 9/28/17 at 2:58 pm to TheOcean
quote:
Not to mention big law jobs generally suck balls. I turned down a recruiter recently for a big law gig that wanted 1900 minimum billable hours. I'd rather not be a slave
If a 40 hour week that is only 47.5 weeks so I don't see it as unreasonable- specifically for I'm guessing a 1st year associate?
And I see the minimum you mention - just saying I don't think of that number as a lot. I put that in now and have for 35 years not in the law either.
Posted on 9/28/17 at 2:58 pm to boosiebadazz
Posted on 9/28/17 at 2:59 pm to Martini
quote:
If a 40 hour week that is only 47.5 weeks so I don't see it as unreasonable- specifically for I'm guessing a 1st year associate?
And I see the minimum you mention - just saying I don't think of that number as a lot. I put that in now and have for 35 years not in the law either
lawyers can almost never bill 40/40
Posted on 9/28/17 at 3:00 pm to Jim Smith
quote:
That's a low starting salary, but perhaps where the legal market is right now
I think it'll jump up after her Bar results come back in November.
This post was edited on 9/28/17 at 3:06 pm
Posted on 9/28/17 at 3:01 pm to Gnarkill
quote:
First Year Attorney Starting Salary?
Don't go to law school kid.
Posted on 9/28/17 at 3:02 pm to tketaco
quote:
I think it'll jump up after her Bar results are come back in November.
Posted on 9/28/17 at 3:02 pm to Martini
1900 hours assuming a 50 work week year is 38 hours/week. That's billable hours. That's like 60-70 hours/week working for someone else.
Not to mention 1900 is the minimum
Not to mention 1900 is the minimum
This post was edited on 9/28/17 at 3:03 pm
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