Looking for some data points on salary. Commercial litigation, between 8-10 years of experience, HCOL, small firm, billing 1,800-2,000 a year. REALISTIC salary expectations, not using these crazy big law type salary outliers. I know it’s dependent on so many things but small firms are hard to pin down so really I’m just looking for data points on what you earn in an environment like that. Also what’s your hourly rate. Thanks in advance

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For reference
I have the same experience you have, similar size firm (we have 30 or so lawyers), big city, but not high HCOL, and I bill 1800-1900 per hour

Compensation is around 250k per year which is average I think based on the revenue the firm generates on my work.

Rate is 400-500 per hour - varies some per client.

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230k
Likely 35k bonus for this year

Take your hourly rate, multiply it by your minimum hours, then divide by 3 ( 1/3 for the firm, 1/3 for expenses, 1/3 for you).

As an example, 1,800 hours x 500 =900,000, divided by 3 is 300,000. Rates will vary a bit as to whether they actually collect all of the money (they won't), but you probably will exceed your hours. This leftover amount should be a bonus.

That is what I was always told was the general rule of thumb. That being said, my minimum is 1,800 and I bill at $600 and I make $245,000. So take it with a grain of salt.

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But the 1/3rd also has to account for your compensation overall. Assuming 80% collection rate and a net cost of 15% above salary for payroll taxes, benefits, etc. 245 sounds spot on. Not perfect science, but the additional factors are part of the 1/3rd.

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I work at a similar firm. Senior Associates are at 275k.

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I’m in Miami-fort lauderdale area, same field

I left a firm because I thought I was being underpaid. Salary was 190k for 1800 hours at 6 YOE in a HCOL big city. Firm had 130 lawyers.

Damn. I make $190k for 1800-2k hours at 11 YOE in HCOL/big city

I just left a small firm partially because of the low salary. My data point matches your question exactly except I was only at five YOE. $115k salary and normal hourly rate of $325, but with lots of individual clients/cases where we would bill me out at a lower rate than that.

At least 250 base.

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