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SBL wrote:

2LsAPlenty wrote: Many "mid-law" in the midwest start anywhere from $ 90-125,000. Smaller firms with good practices pay from $ 50-80,000. Goes down from their. Way too many candidates for all of these jobs. Some on law review have nothing lined up yet.

Midlaw firms in my CA market don't pay that much. By "Midwest" do you mean Chicago? I was under the impression big firms with midwest offices usually paid about 120.

In my area, the top few pay $ 125,000 and it goes down from there to about $ 90,000. At least if a recent Lawyer's Weekly article on the subject is accurate. Not Chicago BTW.

Seems like a great gig if you can get it. 90K in Omaha (or whatever) buys you a lot more cool shit than 160K in SF.

Midlaw in my small market is going for 75-90K. Of course, in my state that's like top 5% of earners.

Void wrote: Wait, just so I'm clear: You're upset that you're still a law clerk, as opposed to an attorney, but you still don't have a license?

No; I'm upset (maybe upset isn't the right word; perplexed might be more appropriate) that so many of my classmates (supposedly) had "attorney" jobs before they were officially sworn in, and yet I am still searching. I passed the bar and am just waiting for the swearing in ceremony. Not upset that I am still a law clerk so much as I don't understand why those who get offers at firms get these offers before they have even been licensed as attorneys.

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studebaker07 wrote:

Void wrote: Wait, just so I'm clear: You're upset that you're still a law clerk, as opposed to an attorney, but you still don't have a license?

No; I'm upset (maybe upset isn't the right word; perplexed might be more appropriate) that so many of my classmates (supposedly) had "attorney" jobs before they were officially sworn in, and yet I am still searching. I passed the bar and am just waiting for the swearing in ceremony. Not upset that I am still a law clerk so much as I don't understand why those who get offers at firms get these offers before they have even been licensed as attorneys.

Unlike many professions, that is just the way law firms work. Not all have jobs before graduation but a significant number in the top of the class will. It is what it is. There will be other jobs available after graduation, not biglaw but some good jobs and some not so good jobs.

spleenworship wrote:Midlaw in my small market is going for 75-90K. Of course, in my state that's like top 5% of earners.

Man, in Manhattan 75k puts you squarely in public housing ... Or maybe with 2 room mates...

While it certainly would depend on the state--there's always government work and state clerking. Generally, though, you'll need to pass the bar first before being considered for the former. But most states don't even require you to be a member of their state to clerk in their courts. See NJ and CT. Pay sucks, but you'll meet a plenty of lawyers in court. It's actually a great networking job with normal hours and at the very least you'll improve your writing. I clerked for a state commerce and complex litigation judge over the summer in a somewhat nearby state (9 hour drive) and I know she would have me as one of her full-time clerks (she gets to have two) in a heartbeat. Great city, too, but I have no friends or family there. A trial court clerkship would be a natural fit for a future litigator. I got lucky with her and her types of cases. Hedge fund stuff, arbitration appeals, etc. No crappy driveway property disputes or ambulance chasers.

But there's also the fellowship route, which I am hoping for. I was just selected as one of the finalist for a two-year fellowship to work in a clinic by my law school. The pay would be on par with clerking, but since it wouldn't be considered a "real" entry-level job, it will still leave me eligible for for DOJ, et al, or another crack at a federal clerking gig. If I become a fellow, they'll also pay the interest on my loans for the duration, which is not insignificant.

It's my best lead so I can't blow the interview next month.

Solo practice is doable, but also incredibly dangerous. I will NEVER do doc review. I'll choose another career before that happens.

Well, I guess the pressure will really be on after the break. At least there won't be as many people asking you what you are going to be doing upon graduation.

I guess you could say drum roll please. OCS does not have much to offer except keep "mass mailing" and "networking". I think I hate those words now.

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