Negotiating a Small Firm Contract
Posted: Sun May 30, 2010 11:48 am
There is a lot of information out there on the billing structure of big law firms, but I want to know what I should expect from a a smaller firm. I'm sure that the variance between small firms is much greater than big firms, but I'd like some information before going to negotiate a job offer with a small firm. I have an offer but I've got to negotiate the details.
Is it standard practice to start with a base pay, and that's all you get regardless of how much work you bring in? Do you get a certain percentage of the work your clients bring to the firm? What if your clients need help from you, and then later need assistance in a different area of law from another lawyer in your firm--do you get credit for bringing in the client in the first place?
What's the standard practice for becoming a partner in the firm? Should I expect to work a couple years until I build a big enough client base to start my own firm, or is it reasonable to expect to become a partner once I bring in enough work? Or is there a focus on how long I've worked in the firm similar to a big firm?
I'd appreciate your insight and advice. Thanks.
Is it standard practice to start with a base pay, and that's all you get regardless of how much work you bring in? Do you get a certain percentage of the work your clients bring to the firm? What if your clients need help from you, and then later need assistance in a different area of law from another lawyer in your firm--do you get credit for bringing in the client in the first place?
What's the standard practice for becoming a partner in the firm? Should I expect to work a couple years until I build a big enough client base to start my own firm, or is it reasonable to expect to become a partner once I bring in enough work? Or is there a focus on how long I've worked in the firm similar to a big firm?
I'd appreciate your insight and advice. Thanks.