Am I being overworked/underpaid as a first year associate at a midsize firm in Chicago? ($67,5 salary, 2100 billable hours) it feels like a good starting point but I’m uprooting my life to start here

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Is there a bonus structure? Either way, I would say yes. 2100 is high for that salary

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Yes. Twice a year, I think it’s such that If I’m hitting the monthly req, I get a structured bonus

You are underpaid.

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For reference I’m in a small firm, with 1500 billable requirement, and $85k for first years.

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Yes, I think so. My firm (in a much lower cost of living city) with less than 30 lawyers pays $90K first year and has a 1650 hour requirement.

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Most market rate firms don’t even require 2100 in Chicago.

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Depends on your area of the law, whether it is plaintiff or defense, and if the firm substantially increases compensation in year 2-4 / supplements heavily with bonus. But that salary seems incredibly low for the minimum hours requirement and market given that you could work the same amount of hours for many mid-size firms and make at least 2.5x your base salary.

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Agreed with Associate 1. I’m at a SUPER small firm in Chicago and my salary is a bit higher and my yearly requirement is 1800.

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You could be a firefighter in Chicago and make more, plus you have a pension. That’s BS unless there’s a great bonus structure.

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Assuming you could bill every second that you work and nothing gets cut in that 2100 hours, neither of which are possible (even if the cutting has nothing to do with you), you’re making $32.14 an hour max for a grueling schedule. Yes, you are overworked/underpaid.

Is this your only option?

Yes and no. Only offer on the table in Chicago. I have turned down other offers with firms that are actually lower salaries with similar hours. I have an offer in a much lower CoL area, but it is in a legal compliance role. Oddly enough, the recruiter I was working with said this was actually a “good salary offer.”

Yes. Lol

Don’t listen to the recruiter. He/she just wants to get paid. 2100 hours is insane. I couldn’t imagine having to work that much and I make market.

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