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I just interviewed with a big law firm in a secondary market. They have an opening for an "entry level" position for an associate with 1-2 years of experience. I'm almost at the 2 year mark with my current firm. The firm I'm interviewing with is on NALP and they offer market salary. In other words, I know how much they pay their 1st year associates. During the interview, they asked for my current salary information, however.

Anyone know why they would even ask this? If I got the job, wouldn't I just receive the salary that they offer for my class year? I don't imagine too much negotiating will go on if I receive an offer, but thought I'd pose this question so hopefully some other laterals could weigh in. Thanks.

I don't know why you think they're obliged to pay you based on class year for an "entry level" lateral position. If you're going to get a substantial salary bump at their first year pay rate, I don't see them needing to offer you more.

Full disclosure: i know like 0 about biglaw hiring.

I assume the firm you're at is NOT on NALP and does not disclose salary?

Yes. Current firm isn't on NALP.

They're probably trying to figure out if they're really a peer firm. Is your salary close to what they pay?

Oh, okay. Yes, I think they're peer firms. Although, if I got the job, there'd be about a 15-20% salary increase.

I'm at a vault firm in a secondary market. I know we've brought on laterals from smaller, more obscure, local firms. We almost never pay those laterals at their class year. One guy came in, did a good job, and was able to negotiate a raise to his class year for the next year. Unfortunately, the thinking is probably "we can pay this guy less, so why not pay him less." In interviews, they are asked what they currently make, so the firm can gauge what type of offer they need to make to woo them away.

*This isn't my call and I have no role in deciding the compensation of anyone at the firm I'm at.

Wow. I never considered that if I received an offer it could potentially be at a salary below what other current 2nd year associates make. I suppose I'm still several steps away from receiving an offer, so I'll just have to see how things unfold.

phillip321 wrote:Wow. I never considered that if I received an offer it could potentially be at a salary below what other current 2nd year associates make. I suppose I'm still several steps away from receiving an offer, so I'll just have to see how things unfold.

As another data point, my biglaw firm definitely knocks incoming laterals down in many circumstances (i.e. if you have 3 years of work experience at firm Y, then lateral to my firm, you will very likely earn less than somebody who has 3 years of work experience at my firm). We're lockstep, so it's essentially coming in as an [x] year even though you have as much experience as an [x+1]th year home grown associate.

It's case by case and largely snobbery driven - I don't doubt for a second laterals from "peer" firms keep their class year.

Love this industry.

Anonymous User wrote:

phillip321 wrote:Wow. I never considered that if I received an offer it could potentially be at a salary below what other current 2nd year associates make. I suppose I'm still several steps away from receiving an offer, so I'll just have to see how things unfold.

As another data point, my biglaw firm definitely knocks incoming laterals down in many circumstances (i.e. if you have 3 years of work experience at firm Y, then lateral to my firm, you will very likely earn less than somebody who has 3 years of work experience at my firm). We're lockstep, so it's essentially coming in as an [x] year even though you have as much experience as an [x+1]th year home grown associate.

It's case by case and largely snobbery driven - I don't doubt for a second laterals from "peer" firms keep their class year.

Love this industry.

Class year is the weird part. That sort of regimented lockstep is werid as fuck.

You don't have to disclose your salary history, if you do not want to give that information.

It may harm you during salary negotiations.

Desert Fox wrote:Class year is the weird part. That sort of regimented lockstep is werid as fuck.

I think this explains my reaction to OP's post. I've never heard of someone lateraling to an equal "class year" pay scale. But most of my experience and observations have been non-biglaw firms and government. Usually people get a pay bump (like $20K-$40K), and that's an adequate incentive.

Anonymous User wrote:

phillip321 wrote:Wow. I never considered that if I received an offer it could potentially be at a salary below what other current 2nd year associates make. I suppose I'm still several steps away from receiving an offer, so I'll just have to see how things unfold.

As another data point, my biglaw firm definitely knocks incoming laterals down in many circumstances (i.e. if you have 3 years of work experience at firm Y, then lateral to my firm, you will very likely earn less than somebody who has 3 years of work experience at my firm). We're lockstep, so it's essentially coming in as an [x] year even though you have as much experience as an [x+1]th year home grown associate.

It's case by case and largely snobbery driven - I don't doubt for a second laterals from "peer" firms keep their class year.

Love this industry.

When I lateraled from a boutique firm to my current biglaw firm, they didn't initially assign me a class year and my salary was a bit lower than the lockstep salary. After about 4 months (during associate reviews period for the firm) they assigned me a class year and increased the salary to match the lockstep. It was weird

Yeah, this is weird. I will see what happens and let you guys know if I get an offer.