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Just wondering besides the normal bar expenses/stipend of varying amounts, are some firms more generous than others for other types of benefits? E.g. hear rumor that S&C guarantees $100K of mortgage; HK offices offer huge relocation allowances. On the NALP form, there are no details but we all know benefits can vary drastically.

bump - interested also

Do other firms offer a hiring bonus before starting as a first year associate? My firm doesn't offer that but they have a bar stipend (approx. $5K) and pay bar prep fees.

Anonymous User wrote:Just wondering besides the normal bar expenses/stipend of varying amounts, are some firms more generous than others for other types of benefits? E.g. hear rumor that S&C guarantees $100K of mortgage; HK offices offer huge relocation allowances. On the NALP form, there are no details but we all know benefits can vary drastically.

100K of mortgage gets you a bathroom in NYC right? But not the shower.

Anonymous User wrote:Just wondering besides the normal bar expenses/stipend of varying amounts, are some firms more generous than others for other types of benefits? E.g. hear rumor that S&C guarantees $100K of mortgage; HK offices offer huge relocation allowances. On the NALP form, there are no details but we all know benefits can vary drastically.

Non-biglaw, but I got the bar expenses/prep stipend, but no mortgage or relocation. That said, I didn't try to negotiate and pretty much took the offer immediately. YMMV

Do SA's with offers ever negotiate in this current market? I'm not trying to be a jerk, but I have prior work experience and in my market and practice area I was pretty actively sought after for a SA position. I was pretty naive back then and took the first big law offer that came my way out of fear. I just don't want to be taken advantage of, but I suppose I don't really have any plan to shop around or anything either. Having worked before I know if you don't negotiate early, you can regret it later on when you don't have as much leverage.

Anonymous User wrote:Do SA's with offers ever negotiate in this current market? I'm not trying to be a jerk, but I have prior work experience and in my market and practice area I was pretty actively sought after for a SA position. I was pretty naive back then and took the first big law offer that came my way out of fear. I just don't want to be taken advantage of, but I suppose I don't really have any plan to shop around or anything either. Having worked before I know if you don't negotiate early, you can regret it later on when you don't have as much leverage.

No. This is laughable. If you want to trade up, you can mass mail/do 3L OCI and try and get another BigLaw job, but no one is going to give you higher pay or special benefits or anything like that. Current associates, feel free to correct me if I'm wrong here, but I don't think I am.

My 2L firm, which is not a Biglaw or NALP firm, pays for bar prep and gives you a clothing bonus: money for suits and shirts on your birthday and Christmas. I thought that was neat.

does anyone have details about the SC mortgage benefit? I couldn't find anything on their website or in CB packet.

Doesn't anyone ever ask about health insurance, retirement contributions, other basic benefits? I'm shocked at how little large firms get away with paying.

Anonymous User wrote:does anyone have details about the SC mortgage benefit? I couldn't find anything on their website or in CB packet.

I'm not sure how S&C's works, but DPW will loan you $40k interest free for a downpayment.

my firm gives me a 60k USD special allowance (starting at international office)

Anonymous User wrote:Doesn't anyone ever ask about health insurance, retirement contributions, other basic benefits? I'm shocked at how little large firms get away with paying.

I assumed that this stuff never comes up because everything is pretty standard and it is pretty good. But maybe that's not the case.

rayiner wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:does anyone have details about the SC mortgage benefit? I couldn't find anything on their website or in CB packet.

I'm not sure how S&C's works, but DPW will loan you $40k interest free for a downpayment.

That's really interesting, and a significant benefit if in the 50-100k range. Being able to put 20% down is generally the biggest challenge in getting attractive rate and loan. This will weigh in my decision, thanks for sharing