Firm doesn't pay bar stipend Forum

[Anonymous User]

I'm lucky enough to have a big law job at a v-20 in NYC. But, I just realized that the firm doesn't pay a bar stipend/salary advance or anything of the sort. How do people plan to survive for those 4-5 months between graduation and starting work?

I don't mean to sound spoiled or complaining, I am wondering because I'm not looking forward to 10k more in debt.

[dixiecupdrinking]

Out the firm.

[Anonymous User]

That's highly unusual for a V20 in NYC. Did they tell you explicitly that they don't do anything, or have you just not heard anything yet. My V30 firm gives a $15,000 stipend, and a lot of friends in similar situations are either getting a stipend or bar reimbursement/salary advance.

[Anonymous User]

OP here,

I know its strange, but in this market I guess firms can get away with strange things. I haven't contacted them directly but, according the their website and ATL they do not.

[vanwinkle]

Can you take a bar loan? Should be enough to cover BarBri and summer living expenses.

[rv11]

DPW?

[Anonymous User]

OP here,

I wont out the firm- I'm not here to bash them, rather just to get an idea as to how other student are dealing with similar situations. Looks like a bar loan is probably the easiest and most common solution.

[Anonymous User]

The prospect of taking additional loan money sucks. Anyone with experience doing this/how to?

My NYC-firm offers a modest bar stipend, but certainly not enough to cover first/last month's rent + security deposit for a decent (read: conservative interpretation) NYC apartment. Fck NYC housing and fml, but thankful for not being nojerbpwnd.

[Morgan12Oak]

I'd say the majority or a near majority of V20's in NY don't pay bar stipend so "outing them" would do nothing. DPW, Cleary, Gibson, Paul Weiss, Ropes, Simpson, Skadden, SullCrom off the top of my head if I recall correctly.

Some may offer a salary advance but thats obviouslny not the same thing.

[Anonymous User]

I'm lucky enough to have a big law job at a v-20 in NYC. But, I just realized that the firm doesn't pay a bar stipend/salary advance or anything of the sort. How do people plan to survive for those 4-5 months between graduation and starting work?

I don't mean to sound spoiled or complaining, I am wondering because I'm not looking forward to 10k more in debt.

My lowly V100 firm pays a bar study stipend of $15k.
I guess a V20 in NYC doesn't care about new associates, for they have an extremely long waitlist to replace a disgruntled law student.

I also suspect it depends on the practice group you'll join. I found that another person who will join the same firm but in a different group will not get the stipend.

[IAFG]

I'm lucky enough to have a big law job at a v-20 in NYC. But, I just realized that the firm doesn't pay a bar stipend/salary advance or anything of the sort. How do people plan to survive for those 4-5 months between graduation and starting work?

I don't mean to sound spoiled or complaining, I am wondering because I'm not looking forward to 10k more in debt.

Are you a 2L or a 3L? If you're a 2L, have enough sense to not blow ALL of your summer money. If you're a 3L, I guess you should have thought about that additional debt sooner.

[underdawg]

lol "how will i survive???!"

most v20s don't pay, i think a decent amount give advances.

[Anonymous User]

I'd say the majority or a near majority of V20's in NY don't pay bar stipend so "outing them" would do nothing. DPW, Cleary, Gibson, Paul Weiss, Ropes, Simpson, Skadden, SullCrom off the top of my head if I recall correctly.

OP says he's not getting a salary advance either. Thus, outing the firm would do "something."

[Anonymous User]

I'd say the majority or a near majority of V20's in NY don't pay bar stipend so "outing them" would do nothing. DPW, Cleary, Gibson, Paul Weiss, Ropes, Simpson, Skadden, SullCrom off the top of my head if I recall correctly.

OP says he's not getting a salary advance either. Thus, outing the firm would do "something."

Yup, it would. GDC, PW, and S&C all at least give an advance, even in NYC.