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C/o 2015, work at a small firm, got an interview invite for a biglaw firm. T14, major city, interview offer likely based on the school. What's the expectation re: salary if you lateral from a small firm to a biglaw firm that is known to pay market? They've asked me what I'm expecting, and according to ATL they are on Cravath scale and pay them $190K. They also asked how much I'm making now (nowhere close to $190K). I'm not sure if I'd come off as presumptuous if I tell them I am expecting to get paid $190K, but as though I am not confident if I say anything lower. Thoughts? Not sure what the norm is for laterals.

Thanks in advance!

Anonymous User wrote:C/o 2015, work at a small firm, got an interview invite for a biglaw firm. T14, major city, interview offer likely based on the school. What's the expectation re: salary if you lateral from a small firm to a biglaw firm that is known to pay market? They've asked me what I'm expecting, and according to ATL they are on Cravath scale and pay them $190K. They also asked how much I'm making now (nowhere close to $190K). I'm not sure if I'd come off as presumptuous if I tell them I am expecting to get paid $190K, but as though I am not confident if I say anything lower. Thoughts? Not sure what the norm is for laterals.!

Unless you're stalking about a staff attorney position or something, the norm is for you to be paid based on the same lockstep scale as everyone else. Sometimes firm will try to ding you on class-year credit (e.g., you start as a second year even though others at the firm of your grad year are treated and paid as third years).

The fact that they're asking what you're expecting for salary is a little strange. I would just say that you understand that the firm follows the lockstep Cravath scale for its associates and that you are expecting to be paid accordingly.

rpupkin wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:C/o 2015, work at a small firm, got an interview invite for a biglaw firm. T14, major city, interview offer likely based on the school. What's the expectation re: salary if you lateral from a small firm to a biglaw firm that is known to pay market? They've asked me what I'm expecting, and according to ATL they are on Cravath scale and pay them $190K. They also asked how much I'm making now (nowhere close to $190K). I'm not sure if I'd come off as presumptuous if I tell them I am expecting to get paid $190K, but as though I am not confident if I say anything lower. Thoughts? Not sure what the norm is for laterals.!

Unless you're stalking about a staff attorney position or something, the norm is for you to be paid based on the same lockstep scale as everyone else. Sometimes firm will try to ding you on class-year credit (e.g., you start as a second year even though others at the firm of your grad year are treated and paid as third years).

The fact that they're asking what you're expecting for salary is a little strange. I would just say that you understand that the firm follows the lockstep Cravath scale for its associates and that you are expecting to be paid accordingly.

It's for an associate position. Thought it was strange too. Thank you!