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Hi TLS,

I am working as an in-house counsel currently at a midsized company and I reached my 1 year mark. I was hired as a law clerk becoming in-house counsel upon my passage of the bar exam. I passed the bar exam and became an official attorney this past March.

During my 1st year there was some ups and downs due to my open discussion about possibly leaving the company with the CEO (whom I report to directly; he is also in charge of doing my reviews, etc.). However, a month ago, I decided it was better to stay with the company and the CEO and I agreed that we would be mutually valuable to each other - I was allowed to stay.

Recently, I've been commended by my work effort and how well I was performing. However, my mid-year review was forgotten since the CEO is extremely busy. I reminded him a couple weeks ago of it and he informed me he will talk to HR about it. Further, I inquired about why internally, my title is still law clerk. He assured me that was a quick fix and that he'll talk to HR as well.

Over the weekend, I discovered Robert Half Legal's in-house counsel compensation guide and found out that I'm significantly underpaid. According to it, in-house counsel with 0-3 years experience at a small sized company salary ranges from 79K to 107K in 2014. For midsized companies (my current company fits under this definition), 94K to 130K. I think I have a reasonable case here since the data considers in-house counsels with 0 years of experience (salary being probably the lower one within the range). Also, I have yet to receive my annual raise and my title has yet officially changed internally.

I was wondering if TLS could give me some insight as to how I can best approach my situation to receiving the market rate salary for my situation. I plan on talking to him this Friday about this matter. I don't expect anything and definitely don't expect to get a raise at the midsized company rate (it would be too large of a bump). I just find it a little precarious due to the issue I had during my 1st year.

Thanks.

I look forward to reading advice ITT from law students, who will share their wisdom based on a mix of summer associate anecdotes, stories from a friend of the family who works in-house, and intuition about how the corporate world ought to work.

Sorry, OP: I have no advice for your (seemingly idiosyncratic) circumstances.

There are a few actual in-house counsel on this board. Hope they chime in....

Are you sure about the timing here? You've only been there one year, and as you said there have already been some discussions about you leaving the company. You sound like a high maintenance employee, and with your minimal experience you'd be easy to let go. Do a good job for another year and have the discussion. You'll have much more leverage at that point. What would you say if your boss just said no? Anywhere else to go?

ClubberLang wrote:Are you sure about the timing here? You've only been there one year, and as you said there have already been some discussions about you leaving the company. You sound like a high maintenance employee, and with your minimal experience you'd be easy to let go. Do a good job for another year and have the discussion. You'll have much more leverage at that point. What would you say if your boss just said no? Anywhere else to go?

The discussion to leave was mine - don't get me wrong I'm thankful that I was allowed to stay when I changed my mind. I would probably ask him what I can do better to obtain the raise. And nowhere else to go.

I have definitely thought about waiting another year.
Thanks.

Anonymous User wrote:

ClubberLang wrote:Are you sure about the timing here? You've only been there one year, and as you said there have already been some discussions about you leaving the company. You sound like a high maintenance employee, and with your minimal experience you'd be easy to let go. Do a good job for another year and have the discussion. You'll have much more leverage at that point. What would you say if your boss just said no? Anywhere else to go?

The discussion to leave was mine - don't get me wrong I'm thankful that I was allowed to stay when I changed my mind. I would probably ask him what I can do better to obtain the raise. And nowhere else to go.

I have definitely thought about waiting another year.
Thanks.

Realistically, the best raise you'll get now will be nominal. Instead of asking him what you can do better to get the raise, let him know you are fully committed to the company and ask how you can make yourself more valuable. Need to distance yourself from the bluff resignation.

Maybe I'll wait for another year.