tfer2222 wrote:wannabelawstudent wrote:tfer2222 wrote:wannabelawstudent wrote:Yes that is why and its a common viewpoint Max. (Houston biglaw can reach 160k which is insane)
Where is this "Dallas at 130" thing coming from? Biglaw in Dallas starts at 160, just like Biglaw in Houston and Biglaw in NYC. The differences between texas and larger markets is usually just in the salary increases and bonuses. And even then, most national firms (jones day, weil, gdc, skadden) still pay NYC market/raises/bonuses to associates in their Texas offices (whether it be Dallas or Houston).
Sure there are some firms that may start at 130, but, in Dallas, they probably wouldn't constitute "biglaw" in the first place.
TLDR: Dallas market is 160. The only market I can think of right now that doesn't start at 160 is Miami.
That's simply not true.
The Dallas Market is 130k for a large majority of lawyers who will work in BigLaw. While some (only like a couple) pay 160k, most pay 130k. Saying biglaw in Dallas starts at 160k is just wrong.
http://www.nalp.org/buying_power_index_class_of_2011
I'm not trying to be rude, but I don't think you know exactly what you're talking about. You need to do research before you post things like this. I did an SA in Dallas and had several "biglaw" offers there. I do know what I'm talking about.
That "135K" on the NALP form you posted is the "median reported private practice" starting salary. "Biglaw Market Salary" is obviously not the MEDIAN private practice salary in Dallas. "Market" means what the majority of the biggest (i.e. "biglaw") firms pay in the city. In Dallas: it is 160. The firms are "biglaw" and thus pay "competitive market salary" for that city. Which is--big surprise here-- 160.
"Only like a couple" firms start at 160 in Dallas??? lol...ok lets see. Actual "Biglaw" Firm Offices in Dallas that Start at 160:
Baker Botts
Vinson Elkins
Fulbright
Weil
Gibson Dunn
Jones Day
Baker & McKenzie
Hunton & Williams
DLA Piper
Fish & Richardson
Haynes & Boone
K&L Gates
Morgan Lewis
Patton Boggs
Locke Lord
Thompson & Knight
Bracewell & Giuliani
Akin Gump
Sidley Austin
Alston & Bird
Bryan Cave
Andrews Kurth
and Even:
Jackson Walker
Gardere
and Winstead.
Dallas "biglaw" market salary is 160. End of story. If it's not paying market 160, its probably not "biglaw"
Wannabelawstudent, all these firms have offices in Texas, and they all start at $160k/year. They are "biglaw" firms. "Biglaw" firms pay $160k/year in Dallas, Houston, New York, Los Angeles, and many other major cities.
Go here:
http://www.nalpdirectory.com/
Search Dallas, TX
Click on the firm of your choice
Click on compensation and benefits
If any of you choose to attend SMU, can beat roughly eighty percent of your classmates, aren't morbidly obese or otherwise disgusting looking, and aren't a total asshole, you have a strong chance of working at one of these firms with a starting salary of $160,000 per year.