30ish attorney law firm - pay for a 1st year asso? Forum

[Anonymous User]

downtown NYC/LA/Chicago market, 30ish attorney law firm. The specializes in business law and they say they are a "boutique law firm" in that area. How much should I expect?

I ran across posts saying that 100ish attorney law firms tend to pay around $100K but not sure about a small firm pay.

Anyone has an idea?

[sener212]

Between 40K and 200K. No really, I'm being serious. No way to know without more information. Could be an elite boutique that pays above market (unlikely), or a spare shop that pays an elementary school teacher's salary (unlikely, but more likely than the above market scenario).

[zot1]

Between 40K and 200K. No really, I'm being serious. No way to know without more information. Could be an elite boutique that pays above market (unlikely), or a spare shop that pays an elementary teacher's salary (unlikely, but more likely than the above market scenario).

This is TCR.

[rpupkin]

Between 40K and 200K. No really, I'm being serious. No way to know without more information.

[Anonymous User]

OP here. Any anecdotes? I do know that a salary varies from firm to firm.

[Anonymous User]

Look at attorney bios.

Generally:

If most are from top schools/law firms, then probably pays around 70-120k.

If they are ALL from elite schools/law firms, then around market.

Otherwise, probably around 50k - 80k I'm guessing

[rpupkin]

OP here. Any anecdotes? I do know that a salary varies from firm to firm.

LOL. Ok, here are some anecdotes: I know of small firm that in LA that pays $40K/yr. I know of a small firm in Chicago that pays $90K/yr. And I know of a small firm in NYC that pays $200K/yr.

[Anonymous User]

At a boutique firm in Texas. Our pay matches the Cravath scale (180k etc.).

This will vary widely, though. The posters above are correct.

[Anonymous User]

Look at attorney bios.

Generally:

If most are from top schools/law firms, then probably pays around 70-120k.

If they are ALL from elite schools/law firms, then around market.

Otherwise, probably around 50k - 80k I'm guessing

OP. This is SOLID. Thanks.

[Anonymous User]

Not OP, but speaking of boutiques, does anyone know what boutiques like Bernstein Litowitz, Robbins Geller, and Cohen Milstein pay? Are bonuses above market at these firms?

Sorry to hijack your thread op.

[zot1]

I know someone who started at 100k. But also someone who started at 36k. LA market.

[Anonymous User]

When I was fresh out of school, I was brought on by an alleged "boutique" in nyc on a temp basis that could have become permanent. 20 or so person shop, at least according to the website, a lot of the attorneys would come and go. I was brought in on several matters, all of which was originated by the founding partner. I knew one permanent associate that making about $50k, but I got stiffed a few times on pay outs until I stopped taking their calls.

That firm and others have fancy websites, fancy offices, talk big game, but many hang on by a thread. At the other end of the continuum, there are firms that are like big law practice groups that could stand on their own, and pay accordingly. Reputation will tell you whether a firm of this size is worth your while.