2014 Biglaw Bonus Thread Forum

[Anonymous User]

I work at K&E. I know of an NSP who billed more than 3,000 hours last year and received a $200,000 bonus.

What? Does K&E have a special bonus with no cap or something or is this possible if you bill 3,000 (woah) at most biglaw firms? Or are you like a 8th year or something?

Yeah, everyone in my group has billed 2,500 - 3,400 per year over the past three years. It's definitely a soul-draining culture. Non-share partners get promoted after 5-6 years, and their salaries are higher than lock-step salaries (this is black box - but I've heard that they get roughly 40k more than lock step). Also, bonuses for non-share partners can be WAY higher than market. They encourage NSPs to bring in their own deals, so if you bring in one or two deals that earn in $1 - 2 million in fees, they will pay you what they think you're worth.

[Old Gregg]

(this is black box - but I've heard that they get roughly 40k more than lock step). Also, bonuses for non-share partners can be WAY higher than market.

1) Nope. NSPs make market, but have to pay their own health insurance. So below market for the base.
2) Bonuses are based less on hours (though that is a component) and more on whether you're on track for shares. A nonshare partner that is not in the running for shares will get coal. A nonshare partner that is definitely going to get shares will get a ton of money, though.

Also, bonuses are negotiated.

[Br3v]

(this is black box - but I've heard that they get roughly 40k more than lock step). Also, bonuses for non-share partners can be WAY higher than market.

1) Nope. NSPs make market, but have to pay their own health insurance. So below market for the base.
2) Bonuses are based less on hours (though that is a component) and more on whether you're on track for shares. A nonshare partner that is not in the running for shares will get coal. A nonshare partner that is definitely going to get shares will get a ton of money, though.

Also, bonuses are negotiated.

Associates pay health insurance out of pocket right? Is it subsidized?

[v5junior]

Associates pay health insurance out of pocket right? Is it subsidized?

Yes and yes.

[fats provolone]

pretty sure my insurance is anti-subsidized

[FSK]

How is 3400 possible w/o padding? Jeez....

[2014]

What are the associates' in here's premium for firm insurance? I remember looking seeing this summer that ours was going to be like ~150 for what would on the open market be a premium plan I think so it's pretty heavily subsidized but still costing more than most healthy 26-32 year olds will get out of it.

[fats provolone]

married, no kids, $300








per paycheck

[Br3v]

married, no kids, $300








per paycheck

$600 a month!? Firm subsidized? That can't be normal.

[mmelittlechicken]

married, no kids, $300








per paycheck

$600 a month!? Firm subsidized? That can't be normal.

Sure it can.

[Br3v]

married

$600 a month!? Firm subsidized? That can't be normal.

Sure it can.

Wow, totally skipped that.

[Desert Fox]

pretty sure my insurance is anti-subsidized

obamas amerca

[Desert Fox]

How is 3400 possible w/o padding? Jeez....

who said anything about not padding

[mmelittlechicken]

How is 3400 possible w/o padding? Jeez....

who said anything about not padding

180 accidental "bill like a fat man"

[Desert Fox]

btw I just remember, that may be a paraphrase of an xo post. Not trying to rip anybody off.

[nsideirish]

I really have trouble comprehending how 3400 is even possible. I can't wrap my head around it.

[mvp99]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRu_-9MBpd4

[FSK]

I really have trouble comprehending how 3400 is even possible. I can't wrap my head around it.

That is 9.3 hours billed literally every day of the year....

[PMan99]

I really have trouble comprehending how 3400 is even possible. I can't wrap my head around it.

Walk in, turn on timer, stay for 12 hours, turn off timer, walk out.

[Anonymous User]

I really have trouble comprehending how 3400 is even possible. I can't wrap my head around it.

I know the guy. It's padding. He works hard for sure, but is definitely full of shit on the hours.

[Lincoln]

I really have trouble comprehending how 3400 is even possible. I can't wrap my head around it.

I'll probably hit about 3,200 for the year without padding. In fact, all-in-all I probably marginally under-bill. It sucks ass, but it's totally doable. You just don't take days off (including weekends), have some really shitty periods like a trial or insane discovery where you take/work on depos every week, so you end up billing over 350 for a few months. All of a sudden, you're there.

[Anonymous User]

What are the associates' in here's premium for firm insurance? I remember looking seeing this summer that ours was going to be like ~150 for what would on the open market be a premium plan I think so it's pretty heavily subsidized but still costing more than most healthy 26-32 year olds will get out of it.

i'm in the same age range; plans range from about 130 to 200/mo at my firm.

[911 crisis actor]

Bill 'em all and let the partner sort it out

[84651846190]

I really have trouble comprehending how 3400 is even possible. I can't wrap my head around it.

I'll probably hit about 3,200 for the year without padding. In fact, all-in-all I probably marginally under-bill. It sucks ass, but it's totally doable. You just don't take days off (including weekends), have some really shitty periods like a trial or insane discovery where you take/work on depos every week, so you end up billing over 350 for a few months. All of a sudden, you're there.

I would literally go insane working that much. My worst year so far was about 2,500. I thought I was going to die.

[Br3v]

I would literally go insane working that much. My worst year so far was about 2,500. I thought I was going to die.

What does that look like? 52 60 hour weeks?