I’ve been doing insurance defense litigation at small firms in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area for 10 years now, in a small-firm environment (currently at a firm with about 15 attorneys). Billables are good at around 1,800 but I suspect that I’m getting robbed on salary/compensation (around $90k altogether).

Contemporaries out there (smaller insurance defense firms around the Midwest), what does your salary/compensation structure look like?

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For 10 years plus, I’d say yes, they’re taking advantage of you. What’s the Convo around partnership like? More importantly, would you want to be their partner? Do you like the way they run the biz/treat their customers/treat you? What do you charge an hour; what do the partners charge per hour ?

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You cannot get robbed if you consent to a salary. Robbery in Minnesota is probably defined the same way as it is in Georgia. Someone taking something forcefully from you WITHOUT your permission. Even if you think you should be paid $150,000 annually, your failure to insist on the remaining $60,000 is not robbery, because it was given to you, then forcibly taken.

Similarly, when solo practitioners undervalue their services and charge too little for legal representation. They were not robbed, they lacked confidence to ask for more. PLEASE STOP CASTING YOURSELF AS A VICTIM.

Go get the confidence to ask for what you think your value is worth. Stop blaming others.

I'd agree in sentiment with "Attorney 2", but don't beat yourself up over it. You're doing the right thing by researching the market you're in and what your services are generally worth.

That said, your salary does seem a bit low for 10 years in. Take a look at some job posting sites and start interviewing to see what others are offering. It can only help.

Best of luck!

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