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Just what the title says. Been there a couple weeks now, happy to answer any questions people may have. It's a small / medium local firm with a few offices. I'm at one with about 6 attorneys. They mainly do family law, but higher-end family law. Think rich people with large estates and complicated situations. Surprisingly, it doesn't suck.

Anonymous User wrote:Just what the title says. Been there a couple weeks now, happy to answer any questions people may have. It's a small / medium local firm with a few offices. I'm at one with about 6 attorneys. They mainly do family law, but higher-end family law. Think rich people with large estates and complicated situations. Surprisingly, it doesn't suck.

Summer associate as in paid about the same as an associate and likely to receive an offer at the end of the summer or do you mean law clerk?

Paid at about 50% rate from a new associate, which seems to be the going rate for smaller firms around here. They pay about a little shy of $80K to start, and I'm making $750 a week. They don't do SA's every summer, but they do hire from the program when they do, assuming the person is someone they want working there.

What are the hours like (for you and for attorneys)?

Not bad. Most attorneys roll in around 9:00 and leave by 5:30 or 6:00. If there is a mediation that could be succesful or trial or hearing the next day, they may stay later. One of the top billers in the firm is on track for around 1800-1850 hours, and that's pretty high. I usually come in at 9:00 and leave between 5:00 and 6:00.

80 to start is pretty good for a small firm. Any idea what they pay a few years in/how salary is calculated?

I believe salary rises on a percentage-based level, and the particular percentage is calculated based on how much money you made for the firm. I don't know the exact percentages, but most of the people there a few years in are driving some pretty nice cars, so it's not bad pay.

I do know that bonuses are paid monthly, not yearly, and it's based on hours billed for the month combined with the amount of outstanding money owed to the firm by your clients. So if you billed 180 hours, that's great, but if it was for clients who owe the firm $25,000 each, then it's not so great.

how'd you snag the job?

rinehart27 wrote:how'd you snag the job?

Mass mail, then I studied up on the firm and nailed the interviews. Grades were a factor, but not the most important thing.