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PLease don't quote, plan to delete.

I'm at a firm that went to the new $190k scale, but for lack of productivity (slow year in my group, have been assured multiple times that my quality of work is up to par with my class year), I am not getting the raise. It is unclear how exactly this will play out, but since first years will be starting within the next couple of months (at the new first year rate of $190k), and I'll still be at $180k, I'll effectively be paid less than first years....even as a second year.

It's unclear when and how I could catch up to my class in terms of salary. This feels like a slap in the face or a way for the firm to fire me soon.

Should I be searching for lateral positions ASAP?

Yes

You need to leave ASAP. So dumb for firms to penalize associates for not having enough hours as if associates can control that.

I have a hard time believing they won't at least bump you up to 190k, I think you should probably confirm first since staying at 180k just seems unlikely.

smokeylarue wrote:I have a hard time believing they won't at least bump you up to 190k, I think you should probably confirm first since staying at 180k just seems unlikely.

I was told that if I manage to hit hours by end of year (which I won't), that as of January 1 they would bump me up to be commensurate with my class year. But since that won't happen, I guess maybe I'd be effectively repeating first year, but nothing made clear about whether I could ever catch up.

You should anonymously send this information to Above the Law. They would love a story about a firm that "matched" but isn't raising current associate salaries in lockstep.

jjcorvino wrote:You should anonymously send this information to Above the Law. They would love a story about a firm that "matched" but isn't raising current associate salaries in lockstep.

A number of firms announced they'd be doing something like this. It's not really news if it's one of those firms.

OP: I'd lateral. That's some bullshit and doesn't bode well for you long term. It doesn't make any sense to pay an existing associate less than an incoming first year. If the firm really wanted to keep you, they'd have given you the raise...not to mention that you just generally don't want to be in a group that can't generate enough work to support you.