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I don’t think this is reasonable for any job as an attorney
Deputy prosecutors in my city start at $62k. Law clerks start at $58k. Without bonuses.
I pay my paralegals close to this
No. I am in Atlanta and it’s not worth it. You can do a lot better in this market.
If it were me I would keep looking. When I was trying to move in-house before the pandemic, I was tempted to take an extremely low offer because it was the first one I got. I held tight and finally got a much better, more reasonable offer with great people. Firms are paying crazy money and 70k is a slap in the face.
As a paralegal I’m appalled for you… I think our junior paralegal made more than that in both salary and bonus of billing requirement was met. Granted, different practice group and a bigger firm but I have no words. I’d say put more feelers out there and see what other opportunities are available to you.
Are you big law? Bc that would probably explain higher salary as para
The outrage here is hilarious. This would be right in line in Minneapolis, not sure about Atlanta. Lots of lawyers make less than six figures, especially new lawyers. And at least in the Midwest, family lawyers make less money than those in civil practice (just like IP lawyers make more than those in civil often). Also it's pretty standard for paralegals in smaller firms to make more than new lawyers, especially in family law where so much of the discovery is standard. My husband is in a family firm that's nearly exactly the size of the one you mentioned. They start at 65k-80k for lawyers, but they have 2 paralegals making over 100k. A good paralegal is indispensable and makes you money.
What i would ask yourself is does this firm have a good reputation in an area in which you want to practice? And what does advancement look like? Are there any mid-level associates? How much are they making? Are they happy? In the example above of my husband's firm, he lateraled in at 130k and has received steady, substantial raises. And he's home almost everyday by 5:30pm.
These are all great questions. I'm not sure how I can get honest answers from current employees. But these question and the answers are very important to me.
This is my first job at a firm, I was a prosecutor for 6months and have 3 years as a legal assistant to an in-house counsel.
Tbh I believe it’s on par for the billable hours offered and considering it’s a small firm. But, you can probably find a higher paying job with the trade off being that your billables will be higher.
There are 5 attorneys and 15 staff?
But I know for sure that there at 4 attorneys and I would be #5
Regional southeast city, $70-75K is in line for first year lawyers here at a firm of that size.
People that live in NYC and other big cities fail to realize a lot of attorney jobs pay less than six figures. It’s quite common. I believe I saw before that the average salary for a FL attorney, for instance, is about 85-90k.
Are you a first year?
Yes.
Ok so what’s a more reasonable rang for small firms (less than 50 employees)?
I know practice area will be a factor but I’m applying and the NAPL .org and Urban said 1 year associates average $85K/ year back in 2021.
Billing rate not firm size determines what you should get paid
Monthly billable requirement is 60 hours at my firm and I made 72k last year. 3 member firm.