Polsinelli salary scale Forum

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone have any insight into what the Polsinelli salary scale looks like in a $160k office? Looking for a range for a 3-4 year associate and haven’t been able to find anything. I’ve heard good things about the firm, and I’ve been doing “informal” interviews until they lift their hiring freeze, but I’m not sure I want to go to a firm to make less than a first year at my current firm.

[Anonymous User]

I have friends in a 160 Polsinelli office. Their raises are kind of pathetic. They're black box and my friends say they can range from 5k to 10k per year. Bonuses aren't much better and are generally around 10-15k depending on hours billed. Unless you have a pressing need to leave, I wouldn't make the jump. My friends seem relatively happy, but they work around the same as I do and make more than 100k less.

[Anonymous User]

Bump. Any other insight would be helpful. Just did an actual interview with the firm and want to know if I should try to negotiate salary if I get an offer.

[Anonymous User]

I lateraled there and had success negotiating. I heard the same, that raises were black-box, so negotiate when you sign on when you have leverage.

[Anonymous User]

I lateraled there and had success negotiating. I heard the same, that raises were black-box, so negotiate when you sign on when you have leverage.

Can you give a range of what your base was and if you’re in a $160k market?

[Anonymous User]

I think it's all super-individualized and depends on group, need, etc. I will say that the people here are generally more pleasant than most that I've worked with previously, but I came here knowing I'd make less than if I stayed where I was.

[Anonymous User]

I have friends in a 160 Polsinelli office. Their raises are kind of pathetic. They're black box and my friends say they can range from 5k to 10k per year. Bonuses aren't much better and are generally around 10-15k depending on hours billed. Unless you have a pressing need to leave, I wouldn't make the jump. My friends seem relatively happy, but they work around the same as I do and make more than 100k less.

I assume the hours must be a lot better? Like 1800/1900 max for such a difference in pay? Is that accurate?

[Anonymous User]

I was a 4th year in a super niche field, billing slightly more than my classmates at my firm, and received an offer for $195k from them. No signing bonus or guaranty of bonus was offered. I did have a recruiter fee hanging over me.

I REALLY liked everyone I met and probably should have accepted, but I'm chasing money at the moment.

[Anonymous User]

I was a 4th year in a super niche field, billing slightly more than my classmates at my firm, and received an offer for $195k from them. No signing bonus or guaranty of bonus was offered. I did have a recruiter fee hanging over me.

I REALLY liked everyone I met and probably should have accepted, but I'm chasing money at the moment.

OP here. I’m also in a very niche field. I’m hoping to do a few years at Polsinelli (or a similar firm) then lateral as a senior to a market firm after all of their mid levels burn out. I’ve seen V20 firms regularly take people in my niche field who have 10+ years as associates, so I don’t think it’s too far fetched an idea.

$195k is disappointing, though. I was hoping for $210-$220 as a 4th year.

Edit: clarification

[Anonymous User]

I actually think $195k is a pretty good offer from Polsinelli for a 4th year. Was that their initial offer or did you negotiate up to it? Is your practice something that typically earns a premium, e.g., patent prosecution?

[Anonymous User]

I have friends in a 160 Polsinelli office. Their raises are kind of pathetic. They're black box and my friends say they can range from 5k to 10k per year. Bonuses aren't much better and are generally around 10-15k depending on hours billed. Unless you have a pressing need to leave, I wouldn't make the jump. My friends seem relatively happy, but they work around the same as I do and make more than 100k less.

I assume the hours must be a lot better? Like 1800/1900 max for such a difference in pay? Is that accurate?

Hours requirement is 1900, 1950 for bonus. My impression is most people don't go much over 1900, although I know there are some who do. Others don't hit 1900 and are fine.