I know this has probably been asked here before, but I cannot find the thread—for senior associates at market paying firms, does your firm raise your comp annually once you are “off the scale” and, if so, by how much?

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

No. Every year I’m not promoted I’m taking an inflationary pay cut. Sucks.

like

Nope. Had to lateral to get a raise.

like

I’m not aware of any firm that does annual raises once you’re off scale (unless you get bumped to counsel and can negotiate such, based on performance).

like

At my firm, it’s not uncommon to see 12 year associates or older. As share values increase, a lot of people are pushed to wait longer for promotion even to counsel

Yet the firms continue raising our billable rates each year…

likesmart

So basically OP, based on these responses, once you’re off scale, it’s the Wild West out there and totally firm dependent so YMMV.

like

Nope my comp stayed flat

like

I’ll know for sure after next year, but I’m pretty sure ours does a $5k annual raise each year after you hit top of scale. But they have started routinely keeping almost everyone at associate for 10 years before promoting to partner or counsel.

like

I this was my first year off scale and I got a $15k bump. I did bill 2450 last year though, so that could have been a factor, though I have heard from people that billed much less that they got a bump as well, though not sure how much.

likeuplifting

Would someone explain “off the scale” in this context, please?

like

For the uninitiated.

Post Photo
like

This is typical in big law—you max out on base but if you are very profitable, you may get extra bonus $$ while they assess whether you have a path to partner or some other long term career there. Are you making your hours every year?

Curious how "very profitable" is measured? As one of the other commenters said, rates continue to go up each year while salary remains flat, so the more this keeps up, the more profitable these off-scale people are.

like

Related Posts

Single 24 year old here. Recently joined Hinge. I am barely getting any activity. I'm a former OKCupid user and I always got something there. Do people not use Hinge or is there something wrong with me? I'm a fit average height guy and I am not ugly. Looking for LTR especially now in the time of Corona. Didn't bother with human interaction before tbh but this loneliness is creeping up. 😔

like

I've been on this app since a while now, and I am so sick of tech posts - of which I understand nothing.

Where the hell are all the amazing marketers from creative agencies?

likefunny

Great Idea: Let's mandate RTO industry-wide to kick off flu season.

likefunnyuplifting

Is USCIS closed temporarily? Are they still processing h1b extensions?

like

Hi all, want to activate my DMs. Please like. TIA!

like

Any mass hiring happening for freshers??????

like

What are the most boring jobs out there?

like

Anyone recently completed their visa process with PwC? Please advise on time taken by PwC for CoS alone and overall visa.

likehelpful

Since GTM was moved out of P&T and into Consulting, does that mean our salaries/bonuses won't have the 25% cap that everyone's talking about?

likesmart

Hey Dallas folks,
So my last month's electricity bill almost doubled? Wondering if this was something anyone else experienced as well (maybe due to those snow days?)

likefunny

Advice on the jump from AAE to AE? I’ve been doing AE level work for months and have been told by many managers that I should be promoted but it’s in the hands of the holding co..how long do I wait?

What companies have good WLB and decent pay? I know it varies by team/groups, but trying to identify which companies to recruit for

like

Working on a regular desk and my laptop has been killing my back and neck for last few years. Finally spent a couple hundred dollars on a standing desk, wireless keyboard, and back/neck heating pad to alleviate the pain. Very hopeful working will be much better now.

like

What is PF Transfer procedure from my last organization to TCS?

like

Is this bowl dead?

like

Who’s up for sharing B&W portraits of your furbabies? Let’s see all those beauties 💕💕💕.
.
.
[and no...he’s not sad, its a bulldog happy face]

Post Photo
like

What’s Deloitte’s Chicago Tax practice like?

like

Best practices for funding a home into RLT if there is an existing mortgage? What type of deed? Title insurance considerations? Thanks

To stay or go? Is it time to move on?
I've got 4 years at a staffing agency after getting Masters in HRM and making a complete career change in 2018. Doing full cycle recruiting and account management. I feel I'm doing very well (in the role and with comp $57 base + commission = ~$91k last year) BUT I feel stuck!! I'm feeling undervalued and unchallenged. I think I'd love corporate recruiting/TA Specialist, etc. How do I make the jump? Should I just keep truckin??

like

Has anyone used gliders that stick on tyres of office chair, for better movement over the carpet?

like

Additional Posts in Big Law

Any group still busy heading into the new year? Been dead for months and still dead. Real estate — V30

like

Looking for some encouragement. Has anyone here received an overall negative performance review or has been put on a development/performance plan and was able to turn things around for the better?

like

How hard/easy would it be to find a decent big law position after 3 years of SEC experience? Total 5 years atty experience. What will be the salary like?

like

Great Idea: Let's mandate RTO industry-wide to kick off flu season.

likefunnyuplifting

Is it common for a midlevel to gossip with a first year about another first year’s work? Is it common for midlevels to trash juniors amongst themselves? I think my office is hella toxic

like

Whats a bougie/hip gift from a friend you would appreciate?

like
likefunny

Extension “one final time” (through the election)

Post Photo
likefunny

Random partner asked a litigation-related question to a partner I frequently work with (i’m a transactional associate). My partner cc’d me and said for me to briefly look. Asked the library. They got me a great case. Sent it back. Now the random partner is asking for more cases in another circuit.

I haven’t done caselaw research since 1L and this isn’t even my practice… wtf do I do (I am fully utilized in my normal work and have a few deals closing soon…)

like

Should I or should I not send a quick email re good news of passing the bar to my small (<10p) practice group team?

likefunny

Is the lateral market still hot? Any of you interviewing/ lateralling soon?

like

Is it too late to completely switch practice areas as a fourth year associate?

Which firms have no billable requirement and centralized staffing?

likeuplifting

Any insight into the Barnes & Thornburg, Los Angeles office? I see there’s an opening for a Products Liability Litigation associate.

like

I’m a true night-owl that begins thinking clearly about 5 PM. I often send projects out after midnight. Early morning emails and calls are an adventure. Has anyone else had to work through this issue? Fight it or embrace it?

like

I’m a second year associate and last night I was online until 2:30 AM waiting for one specialists comment to a purchase agreement. I had added all comments during the day from everyone else, and the midlevel and senior were online as well, but it seemed very strange to ask me to stay up just to add three sentences to a purchase agreement. Is this normal?

like

Am I the only person who gets skeptical when a recruiter calls, like did my law firm send you to see if I’m interested in making a move? 🤨 I may be paranoid, though. Lol

like

Any recommended books to read prior to beginning a summer associate position? Transactional/ Corporate & Finance

like

It’s looking bleak, but are any south florida firms hiring juniors for com lit positions?

like

Would it be a bad idea to request another deferral from my firm to clerk for another year for the same judge given the rumors of layoffs?

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal