how does biglaw USA salary compare to other nations? Forum

[gaucholaw]

I'm posting this as a matter of pure curiosity, considering that our legal system is quite different than Europe's and not especially portable. However, I've been talking with some Europeans recently, and anecdotally, it seems that while French and German "biglaw" lawyers aren't particularly well-paid, UK and Swiss lawyers seem to be similar to U.S. primary market rates. All of the countries seem to have much lower attrition rates, and higher Q.O.L (with the exception of the UK). Again, this is all anecdotal from my part, and I would love to here others chime in with their own facts/anecdotes!

[beautyistruth]

I'd be interested to know as well, although I think that you'd also have to weigh that against the cost of law school in these nations.

[jtabustos]

Kind of a tangentially related q:

Is there any cost of living adjustments to biglaw salaries at any stage? NYC living is ridiculously high compared to the rest of the nation.

Although biglaw jobs are more plentiful there and may be strategically better to go for, I personally dislike the city, its compactness, and high COL.

[rinkrat19]

Kind of a tangentially related q:

Is there any cost of living adjustments to biglaw salaries at any stage? NYC living is ridiculously high compared to the rest of the nation.

Although biglaw jobs are more plentiful there and may be strategically better to go for, I personally dislike the city, its compactness, and high COL.

Sure there is. You make less than $160k in a lot of secondary markets.

[mr.hands]

Kind of a tangentially related q:

Is there any cost of living adjustments to biglaw salaries at any stage? NYC living is ridiculously high compared to the rest of the nation.

Although biglaw jobs are more plentiful there and may be strategically better to go for, I personally dislike the city, its compactness, and high COL.

Sure there is. You make less than $160k in a lot of secondary markets.

Bingo. Southern markets pay less than 100k often

[sinfiery]

I think there was a thread that mentioned Canada pays like sub100k

Hours are much better too I think

[guano]

This isn't exactly a fair question, because most other countries do not allow a fresh law grad to practice law unsupervised or be admitted to the bar, have an UG law degree, and have easier hours. But, for comparison sake, in The Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, a fresh law student hired by the best local firms (international, multi-office, or foreign branch of magic circle / V50) make roughly €45-€50k, working roughly 40 hours a week.

[JusticeHarlan]

Kind of a tangentially related q:

Is there any cost of living adjustments to biglaw salaries at any stage? NYC living is ridiculously high compared to the rest of the nation.

Although biglaw jobs are more plentiful there and may be strategically better to go for, I personally dislike the city, its compactness, and high COL.

http://www.nalp.org/buying_power_index_class_of_2011