I am about to start my first job as a real attorney!! Just got admitted. What is the average starting nowadays for small private firms about 25 employees? I can’t tell if the offer is decent

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What city/practice area?

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Congrats on your first job! I'm not familiar with criminal so not sure what the salaries are like there

My first job was at a small family law firm in LA of about 13 attorneys. My first year salary was $87,500 in 2015.

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Congratulations!

Congrats! I’d say $90,000 based on that area and practice fields.

Small firms vary widely. A few pay market, some pay peanuts. For PI/criminal etc., I'd expect the firm to be on the lower end. I think you are looking for a number so maybe...$120k??? I could see $100k for a small firm, and have certainly heard of salaries lower than that. I don't know Orange County though, so this is kind of a shot in the dark.

Worked at a small firm in Orange County right out of law school and initial salary was $85k. Very low IMO

120 probably

I'm at a tiny firm in the OC and at 120k.

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