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I heard from recruiting a couple weeks ago their class was full. Did something happen?

Anonymous User wrote:So Perkins to 145 happened. Will this affect the market generally and, if so, how much lag will there be given the recent market raise to ~120/25? Alternatively, perhaps PC is making the move to further differentiate itself from the rest of the pack?

Other firms (DWT, K&L, and Dorsey etc.) matched the raise to 145k. So 145K starting is the new "market" for Seattle "Biglaw" (of course, the Techies were already paying 160k).

Anonymous User wrote: - Foster & Dorsey: both satellite offices of large firms, so it would seem reasonable for them to bump as well (at least marginally to remain competitive locally)--maybe both to 125.

Tl;dr: The market seems to be moving towards a somewhat uniform number (maybe 125), while Perkins is taking further steps to keep talent from heading to larger markets.

Dorsey was already paying 125K, since way back. They recently matched Perkins' 145K, as did DWT, and K&L. So 1st years make (or will be making, beginning January 1, 2016) 145K at Perkins, Dorsey, and DWT, at least.

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote: - Foster & Dorsey: both satellite offices of large firms, so it would seem reasonable for them to bump as well (at least marginally to remain competitive locally)--maybe both to 125.

Tl;dr: The market seems to be moving towards a somewhat uniform number (maybe 125), while Perkins is taking further steps to keep talent from heading to larger markets.

Dorsey was already paying 125K, since way back. They recently matched Perkins' 145K, as did DWT, and K&L. So 1st years make (or will be making, beginning January 1, 2016) 145K at Perkins, Dorsey, and DWT, at least.

Good catch--I mistakenly thought both were 122.5. Re: the matching, do you think Stoel Rives/Lane Powell are large enough to follow suit?

Would NorCal be enough of a tie to Seattle?

I know someone who has done it. I think that, the stronger you are as a candidate, the less that ties matters.

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote: - Foster & Dorsey: both satellite offices of large firms, so it would seem reasonable for them to bump as well (at least marginally to remain competitive locally)--maybe both to 125.

Tl;dr: The market seems to be moving towards a somewhat uniform number (maybe 125), while Perkins is taking further steps to keep talent from heading to larger markets.

Dorsey was already paying 125K, since way back. They recently matched Perkins' 145K, as did DWT, and K&L. So 1st years make (or will be making, beginning January 1, 2016) 145K at Perkins, Dorsey, and DWT, at least.

Good catch--I mistakenly thought both were 122.5. Re: the matching, do you think Stoel Rives/Lane Powell are large enough to follow suit?

Stoel Rives announced increases in salaries in Seattle (and other offices). The increase in Seattle is to $135k though, not 145k like the others.

See http://www.law360.com/articles/723366/s ... n-3-cities

Btw, I can answer very generic questions about practicing in Seattle "biglaw"...

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote: - Foster & Dorsey: both satellite offices of large firms, so it would seem reasonable for them to bump as well (at least marginally to remain competitive locally)--maybe both to 125.

Tl;dr: The market seems to be moving towards a somewhat uniform number (maybe 125), while Perkins is taking further steps to keep talent from heading to larger markets.

Dorsey was already paying 125K, since way back. They recently matched Perkins' 145K, as did DWT, and K&L. So 1st years make (or will be making, beginning January 1, 2016) 145K at Perkins, Dorsey, and DWT, at least.

Good catch--I mistakenly thought both were 122.5. Re: the matching, do you think Stoel Rives/Lane Powell are large enough to follow suit?

Stoel Rives announced increases in salaries in Seattle (and other offices). The increase in Seattle is to $135k though, not 145k like the others.

See http://www.law360.com/articles/723366/s ... n-3-cities

Btw, I can answer very generic questions about practicing in Seattle "biglaw"...

Can you talk at all about exit opportunities for "big" firm associates within the broader legal community in Seattle? What's the timeline like for associates who want to go in house? Is it better to have experience at a larger firm in a different market than at a Seattle regional?

Anonymous User wrote: Stoel Rives announced increases in salaries in Seattle (and other offices). The increase in Seattle is to $135k though, not 145k like the others.

See http://www.law360.com/articles/723366/s ... n-3-cities

Btw, I can answer very generic questions about practicing in Seattle "biglaw"...

Raises are raises, so that's all good news.

Glad to have you here.

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:
Btw, I can answer very generic questions about practicing in Seattle "biglaw"...

Can you talk at all about exit opportunities for "big" firm associates within the broader legal community in Seattle? What's the timeline like for associates who want to go in house? Is it better to have experience at a larger firm in a different market than at a Seattle regional?

Bump. Also, can you speak to compensation (generally) after 1st year? What you've seen or heard and if you know whether it varies substantially by firm.

Has anyone received start dates for the summer? Do summer programs start later because there are naturally more UW students (thus, folks on the quarter system ending May 27) or do different people start at different times?

Anonymous User wrote:Has anyone received start dates for the summer? Do summer programs start later because there are naturally more UW students (thus, folks on the quarter system ending May 27) or do different people start at different times?

Start dates for PC (at least for this year) are staggered. 5/31 for non-quarter system schools, and 6/13 for quarter system schools.

What have people been doing for the housing search? Should things be picking up in terms of availability or am I just out of the loop?

Does anyone have any insight about the culture/vibe of DWT Seattle? I've been able to find a good deal about the culture at Perkins (which seems like it would agree with me) but less so about DWT. How does it compare to Perkins in terms of people, hours, etc?

Anonymous User wrote:Does anyone have any insight about the culture/vibe of DWT Seattle? I've been able to find a good deal about the culture at Perkins (which seems like it would agree with me) but less so about DWT. How does it compare to Perkins in terms of people, hours, etc?

Nicer people overall and better work/life balance. Drop me a PM if you have some more specific questions.

Anonymous User wrote:Has anyone received start dates for the summer? Do summer programs start later because there are naturally more UW students (thus, folks on the quarter system ending May 27) or do different people start at different times?

5/31 start date; 9 week program. I'm on semester, but I know another SA who attends UW so he will have 4 days between the end of the quarter system and the start date.

Any insight whether the move to 180 will impact anyone in Seattle, or if the recent moves to 145 are the most we will see?

Anonymous User wrote:Any insight whether the move to 180 will impact anyone in Seattle, or if the recent moves to 145 are the most we will see?

Well Cooley matched in all offices (including Seattle) although it is a very small office and I eagerly anticipate fighting you all for the one SA slot.

I wouldn't be shocked if WSRG also matches eventually (although another small office).

I think too early to say how it will affect K&L/Perkins/etc. but I have to think they will feel some pressure to raise somewhat.

Raise seems doubtful. All of those who decided to summer in Seattle last Fall went in thinking Seattle would pay 35k less than NY. Seattle still had plenty of applicants. This isn't a market that needs to match NY to get people to come. With 20k raises both in Seattle and NY in the past year, don't think anything more will happen. Also, Seattle has lower billing rates, so a raise would be tough to afford.

Auxilio wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:Any insight whether the move to 180 will impact anyone in Seattle, or if the recent moves to 145 are the most we will see?

Well Cooley matched in all offices (including Seattle) although it is a very small office and I eagerly anticipate fighting you all for the one SA slot.

I wouldn't be shocked if WSRG also matches eventually (although another small office).

I think too early to say how it will affect K&L/Perkins/etc. but I have to think they will feel some pressure to raise somewhat.

Nah, they just gave a big raise. People who want to live in Seattle are more than happy to leave $$$ on the table, and fit is more important to them than attracting the very tippy top candidates. Maybe if they (Perkins) feel pressure to raise their Chicago office or something, but I doubt it.

UnicornHunter wrote:

Auxilio wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:Any insight whether the move to 180 will impact anyone in Seattle, or if the recent moves to 145 are the most we will see?

Well Cooley matched in all offices (including Seattle) although it is a very small office and I eagerly anticipate fighting you all for the one SA slot.

I wouldn't be shocked if WSRG also matches eventually (although another small office).

I think too early to say how it will affect K&L/Perkins/etc. but I have to think they will feel some pressure to raise somewhat.

Nah, they just gave a big raise. People who want to live in Seattle are more than happy to leave $$$ on the table, and fit is more important to them than attracting the very tippy top candidates. Maybe if they (Perkins) feel pressure to raise their Chicago office or something, but I doubt it.

I wouldn't expect to see 180, but some form of symbolic raise wouldn't surprise me. Any Perkins lawyer working in the VC space has to be tempted if there's an opening down the street at Cooley/WSGR/Fenwick. The spread only grows with seniority.

HerculesQEinstein wrote:

UnicornHunter wrote:

Auxilio wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:Any insight whether the move to 180 will impact anyone in Seattle, or if the recent moves to 145 are the most we will see?

Well Cooley matched in all offices (including Seattle) although it is a very small office and I eagerly anticipate fighting you all for the one SA slot.

I wouldn't be shocked if WSRG also matches eventually (although another small office).

I think too early to say how it will affect K&L/Perkins/etc. but I have to think they will feel some pressure to raise somewhat.

Nah, they just gave a big raise. People who want to live in Seattle are more than happy to leave $$$ on the table, and fit is more important to them than attracting the very tippy top candidates. Maybe if they (Perkins) feel pressure to raise their Chicago office or something, but I doubt it.

I wouldn't expect to see 180, but some form of symbolic raise wouldn't surprise me. Any Perkins lawyer working in the VC space has to be tempted if there's an opening down the street at Cooley/WSGR/Fenwick. The spread only grows with seniority.

Yeah, if they're feeling any pressure I assume it's pressure to keep mid level and senior associates around. Seems like it would make more sense to bump comp for them than across the board. But who knows, I have no idea if Perkins is struggling to retain talent, but I'm 100% sure they have no problem attracting it.

HerculesQEinstein wrote:

UnicornHunter wrote:

Auxilio wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:Any insight whether the move to 180 will impact anyone in Seattle, or if the recent moves to 145 are the most we will see?

Well Cooley matched in all offices (including Seattle) although it is a very small office and I eagerly anticipate fighting you all for the one SA slot.

I wouldn't be shocked if WSRG also matches eventually (although another small office).

I think too early to say how it will affect K&L/Perkins/etc. but I have to think they will feel some pressure to raise somewhat.

Nah, they just gave a big raise. People who want to live in Seattle are more than happy to leave $$$ on the table, and fit is more important to them than attracting the very tippy top candidates. Maybe if they (Perkins) feel pressure to raise their Chicago office or something, but I doubt it.

I wouldn't expect to see 180, but some form of symbolic raise wouldn't surprise me. Any Perkins lawyer working in the VC space has to be tempted if there's an opening down the street at Cooley/WSGR/Fenwick. The spread only grows with seniority.

This is what I've heard. A raise is likely, but not to 180.

Any insight on the Portland market?

I heard rumors that a perkins raise is coming. Any idea which firms will match?