probably a dumb question but...(about benefits) Forum

[lshamlet]

Hey guys, forgive the stupid question but...

I was just wondering, what sort of benefits do firms offer their lawyers? I'm talking about biglaw to midlaw size. Is there like a 401K deal set up with the firm? Do they get health/dental insurance provided to them? Anything else? Or do the lawyers just get a salary and have to buy these things themselves like a self-employed person?

[olderlawyer]

BigLaw firms provide all of these things and more. Look on any of their websites under "Careers" and it usually lists the benefits. Same is often true of midlaw.

[270910]

The compensation and benefits structure reflects the firm's long-standing commitment to providing a highly competitive package for its Associates.

. . .

Each Associate receives a benefits package as well as relocation expenses. In addition, the firm offers all new Associates a Bar Study Benefit and Bonus to help defray the cost of studying for and taking the Bar exam.

Benefits Information:

* Life Insurance & Accidental Death & Dismemberment
* Travel Accident
* Medical
* Health Care Flexible Spending Account
* Dental and Vision
* Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
* Time off under our Time Off Policy
* Holidays
* Transportation/Parking/Pre-tax Mass Transit Program
* Retirement Plan (401(k))
* Back-up Child and Elder Care Program
* Long-Term Care
* Pet, Home, Auto and Legal Coverages
* Gym Membership Subsidy
* Dependent Care Assistance Program
* Many Other Voluntary Benefits

To be more specific, it's very common to things like free dinner and/or car ride home on nights when you work past a certain hour (~8:00 ish), bar stipends, gym memberships, generous retirement and insurance packages, child care help, tickets to random crap, technology stipends, etc.

Bigger firms probably provide more generous benefit structures on average, but I haven't researched it extensively.