According to the Labor Department... the median annual salary of lawyers was over $110,000 in 2008, and even lawyers at the 25th percentile of pay in the profession made some $74,000 per year. Despite the recession (which began just before 2008), this is up slightly up in inflation-adjusted terms compared to the median in 2000 ($88,000, which translates to about $109,000 in 2008 dollars). Note that these are median salaries, not means, so the figures aren’t being inflated by the very high pay of a few elite lawyers at the top of the distribution.

Those stats only tell a part of the story, they only pertain to those lawyers working. It's not surprising that salaries are slightly higher for this segment.

I'd be more curious about the number of unemployed lawyers in 2000 vs. 2008 (or 2009, which is even more relevant). Chances are it's not nearly as happy story.

I'd be more curious about the number of unemployed lawyers in 2000 vs. 2008 (or 2009, which is even more relevant). Chances are it's not nearly as happy story.

How many years out are these lawyers?

So this is actually horrible news, right?

So this is actually horrible news, right?

No, it just doesn't tell the whole story. If you have a attorney job you are probably doing ok, though this is also not always the case since older established lawyers are the ones doing well and younger ones often not. However, when rumors about 40-50% of recent lower T14 grads not getting jobs, it shows that these numbers do not reveal a profession in a healthy state.

No, it just doesn't tell the whole story. If you have a attorney job you are probably doing ok, though this is also not always the case since older established lawyers are the ones doing well and younger ones often not. However, when rumors about 40-50% of recent lower T14 grads not getting jobs, it shows that these numbers do not reveal a profession in a healthy state.

I think it shows that anybody with the tenacity to stay in the fight can wind up doing well... but my guess is that reality prohibits a lot of graduates who didn't have great prospects out of law school from staying in the fight.

People on this website DO often forget that even if you miss the biglaw boat and never get back on, there are a lot of ways to advance a career as an attorney. People who start in the 30-50K region aren't going to stay there forever... but obviously it's just a whole new competition, since not all of them are going to get promotions / lateral opportunities either.

A close relative of mine started in an absurdly crappy job after law school and wound up doing fine. That doesn't make attending a shitty law school on loans a GOOD idea, but it means it's not 100% fatal even if you miss biglaw.

quick open up 30 new law schools!

25,000 out of the 30,000 new jobs are probably some variation of shit law, something T14 grads try very hard to avoid.

...And God forbid they compromise ITE just like everyone else!

Most entry level positions blow, why are we so arrogant to think law would be any different?

I guess the difference is the amount of debt a lot of people have to take on to get those positions.

correct me if i am wrong, but are you not the poster who siad that the fact the market needs only 2/3 of J.D.s means that the 1/3 that are not needed will ruin the prospects of a good portion of the 2/3 that are needed.


it seems that if you market yourself into the top 2/3 via grades, school type, connections, etc, it is not all that bad, even ITE.

but then again, like most on this site, i have a reason to color things positive.