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I'm clerking right now and looking to work in Chicago. I would rather work at a lit boutique than at a large law firm.

Can we get a list going of the boutiques in Chicago? Does anyone know how much they pay?

I know some of the top ones were recently acquired (Grippo & Elden, Schopf & Weiss). Thanks!

Bartlit Beck

Williams Montgomery and John. Idk their pay, but they have several former Steptoe associates so I would think pay is comparable. goldberg kohn might be too big to be a true boutique since it is still over 100 attorneys, but they paid $160k back when that was market, not sure if they moved to match Cravath. And Riley Safer is the breakaway from Schiff.

Butler Rubin, Eimer Stahl

Any idea what those firms, especially Bartlit, pays?

Eimer pays a 120K clerkship bonus. I assume salaries are at least competitive as well.

Throwing in newer shops like MoloLamken and Goldman Ismail.

FascinatedWanderer wrote:Eimer pays a 120K clerkship bonus. I assume salaries are at least competitive as well.

Eimer pays the new 180k market for salaries and above market bonuses.

Barrack Ferrazano is another to add to the list, I believe that they pay market too.

Anonymous User wrote:Throwing in newer shops like MoloLamken and Goldman Ismail.

These are at or above market firms. Definitely worth considering.

newlawgrad wrote:Butler Rubin, Eimer Stahl

Any other places that pay at or above market? I heard Butler Rubin and Novack & Macey are below market.

Barack Ferrazano isn't a litigation boutique.

Anyone heard of Miller Shakman & Beem? They seem to be a pretty elite lit boutique. Almost all of their attorneys are Magna at T10 schools, or honors at HYS, and the vast majority clerked either for the IL Supreme Court, Federal District Courts in the 7th Circuit, and quite a few for Federal COAs. How do you go about figuring out how much smaller firms like this pay? I really doubt that they pay anything less than market given that all of their attorneys have such impressive credentials.

GFox345 wrote:Anyone heard of Miller Shakman & Beem? They seem to be a pretty elite lit boutique. Almost all of their attorneys are Magna at T10 schools, or honors at HYS, and the vast majority clerked either for the IL Supreme Court, Federal District Courts in the 7th Circuit, and quite a few for Federal COAs. How do you go about figuring out how much smaller firms like this pay? I really doubt that they pay anything less than market given that all of their attorneys have such impressive credentials.

Miller Shakman has a good reputation. They recently lost their white collar group since the partner became a judge. They paid under market back when $160K was market. To my knowledge, no other way to find out what smaller firms pay besides word of mouth or insider info.

trebekismyhero wrote:Williams Montgomery and John. Idk their pay, but they have several former Steptoe associates so I would think pay is comparable. Goldberg Kohn might be too big to be a true boutique since it is still over 100 attorneys, but they paid $160k back when that was market, not sure if they moved to match Cravath. And Riley Safer is the breakaway from Schiff.

I believe Riley Safer pays under market.

I know this thread is somewhat old, but anybody have thoughts on good boutiques for white collar in the city nowadays?

Riley safer is known for white collar. However I have a relative who works there and they pay extremely below market, I believe 8th year associates make less than $220k (or did as of last year). And the firm is very stingy with bonuses.

Jumping back to this thread. Does anyone have any update on how these firms pay nowadays? Specifically Eimer Stahl and Goldman Ismail.

Swanson, Martin & Bell. Use to not pay too well. I hear they are catching up.

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 26, 2023 12:26 am

Swanson, Martin & Bell. Use to not pay too well. I hear they are catching up.

what, this is medmal/insurance defense level.

Lurker08743 wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 24, 2023 6:59 pm

Jumping back to this thread. Does anyone have any update on how these firms pay nowadays? Specifically Eimer Stahl and Goldman Ismail.

Goldman Ismail pays market