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I dont work in litigation, but I'm lacking an understanding as to why you'd get a percentage based off clients you bring in through intake calls. Can you explain why them becoming a client would be attributed to you?
A lot of our intake calls are just essentially cold calls from potential customers. A lot of of them require finessing and a 20 minute phone call so without me putting in that time and energy it would not be a client. that is above and beyond my job duties. It is a skill that I do have that the majority of paralegals at my firm do not. But my attorney is the only one that essentially benefits from that
Subject Expert
I believe it’s unethical for paralegals to get any part of bringing in new business or client intake (per ethics guidelines). Most firms give a percentage of your salary but it’s typically $1-15k from what I’ve seen. From my experience this is based on seniority and sometimes the success of the department for that year, and bonuses are always discretionary (not guaranteed).
Don’t expect it to be fair. You’re not an attorney. Bonus structures for paralegals or assistants aren’t largely based on hours in the way it is for associates.
Profit sharing or the discretionary amount for 401k for the year is typically 8-10%.
I am also a paralegal/legal assistant. I receive a year-end bonus (in addition to our regular staff bonus) based off of the receivables I brought in during the year from my billing.
Thank you!!! Do you mind sharing the details regarding billables? $ amounts and percentages?