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Hi all,
Graduated in May, just passed NY and NJ bars. I just got an interview at a small firm in Queens, New York. As far as I can tell, it's a solo practitioner, does mainly corporate, employment, immigration, and litigation. I originally stated that my salary was negotiable in the application, but in the email asking about an interview, I was asked again about my "salary request." Any guidance?

Anonymous User wrote:Hi all,
Graduated in May, just passed NY and NJ bars. I just got an interview at a small firm in Queens, New York. As far as I can tell, it's a solo practitioner, does mainly corporate, employment, immigration, and litigation. I originally stated that my salary was negotiable in the application, but in the email asking about an interview, I was asked again about my "salary request." Any guidance?

Scour Google, ask around friends you know in similar positions. How is compensation structured? Eat-what-you-kill? Flat rate salary each year?

This has been useful for me, hope its useful for you too: http://www.roberthalf.com/legal/salary-calculator#!

Just take it seriously. Start with a range you would be happy working in for the foreseeable future... The old adage is that people change jobs to get a pay increase they could've gained if they asked for more when applying to their current job... Most places do not give raises anymore, so do not expect those to bolster a weak salary.

Gorki wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:Hi all,
Graduated in May, just passed NY and NJ bars. I just got an interview at a small firm in Queens, New York. As far as I can tell, it's a solo practitioner, does mainly corporate, employment, immigration, and litigation. I originally stated that my salary was negotiable in the application, but in the email asking about an interview, I was asked again about my "salary request." Any guidance?

Scour Google, ask around friends you know in similar positions. How is compensation structured? Eat-what-you-kill? Flat rate salary each year?

This has been useful for me, hope its useful for you too: http://www.roberthalf.com/legal/salary-calculator#!

Just take it seriously. Start with a range you would be happy working in for the foreseeable future... The old adage is that people change jobs to get a pay increase they could've gained if they asked for more when applying to their current job... Most places do not give raises anymore, so do not expect those to bolster a weak salary.

Thank you very much for your response. That site you mentioned put the average salary between $75K and $106K for first year associates at small firms, with the midpoint at $90K. Salary.com provided similar numbers. Based on a few discussions with friends, though, it seems that number is much higher than reality. Does this sound about right to you?

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I haven't heard too much on salary negotiation for entry-level attorneys. Usually the job just kinda tells you what they pay and you either take it or don't.