I’ve noticed a weird trend: everyone’s inflating titles but freezing pay. Associates are suddenly counsel, but the responsibilities and compensation haven’t changed. It feels like a participation trophy for burnout. Would you take a title bump with no raise?

likefunnysmart
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My grandma got drunk at a recent family party and cried because I’ve been at the same firm and haven’t gotten a promotion yet after 7 years, thought I was really bad at my job and that I wasn’t making any progress. First in my family to go to college, so she just doesn’t know. Agree with ^ those posts, BD & optics are a fair reason enough for title bumps.

likefunny

HAHAHAHA

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If you feel you need it for BD, sure.

likesmart

Business development

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Yes. Optics and BD.

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Yes if you need it for BD and you already make a lot

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Yes! Already make a lot is key. It’s just about the $$$ for me atp

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Participation trophy for burnout gave me a chuckle.

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I worked in banking during undergrad. At a bank, nearly everyone is an Officer, AVP or VP. And they’re all underpaid.

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A5 why are you triggered?

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Keen observation. It’s really about the $$$. It was always about the $$$

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I probably would - like others said it can help with business development and potentially also with finding a different job.

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What are you going to do? Say no thanks I don’t want the promotion? Good luck with that. The promotion to counsel is a way to extend the path to partnership (just like NEP partnership tiers). And it gets people off the auto-raise schedule demanded by associate lockstep. Firms can say “sorry you didn’t have enough receipts” and cut your pay in a way they can’t when you’re an associate.

helpful

You’re not alone, this is a trend we’re seeing across many firms, where title inflation occurs without a corresponding increase in responsibility or pay. A title bump can sometimes help on paper, but it doesn’t always translate into career growth or compensation.

If you’d like, you can send your professional background, career goals, and experience to my work email ams-staff@zohomail.com
. I can review it confidentially and see if there are opportunities that align better with both your expertise and your desired compensation trajectory

likefunny

LOL

funnylike

How do we get out of these discussions? Also something I didn’t even select to be apart of.

What does the title “Counsel” mean on a large law firm’s website? How is it different from “Of Counsel”?

IME, "counsel" means full-time (even if reduced hours, if that makes sense) but not partner-track. Partner-level work without the BD. Like a service partner. A grinder. "Of counsel" is more emeritus, semi-retired? More like a consultant or helicoptering in for special projects. Not as likely to be full-time. But previously a partner with maybe a small book they still service. Very generally . . .

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It depends. Will my billable hr rate increase? If so, then I would be very nervous. As an in-house atty, I am less inclined to use you for small matters/questions if your rates are too high. I will use you for very specific matters, assuming you have a very unique qualification that i can justify the spend. So, consider whether a better title in exchange for potentially fewer billable work and no pay raise is worth it

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It’s called, “Reasonable Assurance"

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