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You should ask other associates at your firm to get a sense of what’s typical there. Us fishbowl randos are going to be all over the map for all kinds of reasons, so you won’t really get much value out of listening to any of us.
I’m reading some of the responses provided here to the OP and here’s my question: why is giving a gift to others to express thanksgiving and appreciation for their help throughout the year an antiquated concept for some? So what if the support staff are already being compensated for their work.
There are people receiving regular wages and still barely making it (especially right now), but they might never tell you. You don’t know what an extra blessing you could be to them. Why is it hard for some of us to admire the benevolent spirit of others in the practice of law?
P2, that’s very nice of you! I’m sure they appreciate it more than you know.
Absolutely it’s way too little. Where would you be without your support staff? Probably pretty screwed. So the gift should speak to your appreciation of what they do for your practice. Ok?
Rising Star
Lol of course a paralegal will jump in to say you should give more to paralegals
Give what you can and if you want to, but my people usually get together and get joint gift and/or cash. It goes a long way for retention of good people. While I don’t get as much as I have at other firms, I’m still appreciative. If I were to get a $25 gift card though, I’d think twice about sticking around because there are plenty of firms that offer holiday perks that are worth working all year for.
They get a bonus and gifts from the partners this is just from me personally.
Yes, $25 is barely anything for support staff that have been supporting you all year, especially if you have gotten a nice bonus yourself. I have worked for associate attorneys who have given me $200 cash.
Please remember your support staff is there helping you all year.
I guess it depends on the tier. Usually associates either take us to lunch or give us $50 GCs. The partners or managing attorneys would give us $300 GCs or the senior attorneys would give around $200 GCs. 🤷🏻♀️
Yes
My Associates always "pooled" their money so I averaged a single gift card from 3-5 Associates and it was never less than $150, This made it seem like more even though each Associate only input a smaller amount. Usually each Associate picked an Assistant, paid the full amount and put everyone's name on so there was not money actually exchanged.
Thought that counts. But your paralegal, legal secretary or assistant should be a gift you thought about. Now I always worked for named partner so I got a large check but the associates and of counsel always bought gifts wherein they tried to out do each other. From faux fur throws, to Kate Spade bags to Estee Lauder gift sets. Many prefer liquor, but check if someone don't drink because then the gift becomes insulting. Bottom line it's what you can afford also. $50 is more in today's economy. Most paraprofessionals are waiting on that bonus check especially if they have little ones. ⚜️⚜️
I give up to $500. I really like my assistant.
I never received a gift from an associate in my entire career. I would be deeply grateful, especially for the thought.
If you’re buying for 4 people $50 seems reasonable.
$25 will buy you a combo sandwich at macdonalds or arbys for 1 person
I am paralegal I graduated in 2023 , I am looking for part-time or full-time remote employment . I have full and unlimited access to both LexisNexis and Westlaw . I earned a Bachelors Degree in Legal Studies I also earned my Paralegal Studies Certificate I graduated Summa Cum Laude I earned a 4.0 GPA from the Helms School Of Government .
I have been a paralegal for 30+ years. I have worked at 2 different firms my entire career. My current position is as a Senior Paralegal and Office Manager and I have been at this firm for 26 years. I have never received less than one full weeks pay for a holiday bonus and we also get personal gifts usually in the form of a promotional item for the firm i.e. sweaters, mugs, other company swag. If you are gifting that as a personal item, I think it's a good amount but not in lieu of a holiday bonus.
Thank you A2.
On horrible days, when work is incredibly busy, the thought of that holiday cash from partners kept me going for them. It showed me they appreciated all the extra effort I put in. Otherwise, I'm just another overworked assistant so why break my back? Think it depends on how much value to you they add to your personal practice.
I am not a partner. This is a personal gift separate from the annual bonus and what the partners will give
It shouldn’t be expected of you to buy gift cards for your paralegals as an Associate but if you choose to, I’d start at $50 at the least.
It depends on a lot of things but I’d consider (1) how many recipients there are, (2) the size of your firm, (3) your compensation.
At my big law firm, someone told me the unspoken rule is that associates give $100 per class year (so $100 if you’re a first year, $800 if you’re an 8th year) to support staff. The amounts are generally pooled and split up between the staff, in addition to whatever they may receive from partners.