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amber1
LIF Infant
Member since 4/06 190 total posts
Name:
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Li Lawyer Salaries
Does anyone know what Long Island firms generally pay lawyers or paralegals? Thinking of going back to school for either.
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Posted 4/26/12 8:49 PM  |
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MrsS1976
LIF Adolescent
Member since 5/11 534 total posts
Name:
M
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Re: Li Lawyer Salaries
I'm a lawyer and the answer is NOT ENOUGH.
Check out Above the Law and JDUnderground.com...the field is so saturated that law school deans are agreeing with the ABA that some law schools should close their doors!
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| Posted 4/26/12 8:56 PM |
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amber1
LIF Infant
Member since 4/06 190 total posts
Name:
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Re: Li Lawyer Salaries
Wow. I did not know that. Are most of them under or over $100k once you are established (like 10 years in)?
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| Posted 4/26/12 9:06 PM |
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Shelly
She's 7!!!
Member since 8/05 14624 total posts
Name:
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Re: Li Lawyer Salaries
Posted by MrsS1976
I'm a lawyer and the answer is NOT ENOUGH.
I completely agree! I've been practicing in the city for 11 years, and am looking to get out. Its not a great profession- especially if you want to go into private practice.
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| Posted 4/26/12 9:10 PM |
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mamabear
LIF Adult
Member since 3/08 4539 total posts
Name:
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Re: Li Lawyer Salaries
I practice in Manhattan. I looked at practicing in long island once, and it really wasn't a lot. If you want to be a lawyer, I highly suggest you do it because you actually enjoy the law and believe you will enjoy practicing, not for the money. You can earn a good salary at the right places, but there are a lot of sacrifices for that salary. If you want to practice locally, at a small firm, for a non-profit, or the gov't, you won't have a high salary.
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| Posted 4/26/12 9:42 PM |
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shadows
LIF Adult
Member since 1/10 4694 total posts
Name:
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Re: Li Lawyer Salaries
Starting on LI - you're probably looking at 50k or so. Less than that is not unheard of. After 10 years I think 100k is a fair estimate. The salaries are definitely better in the city if you have the ability/energy to do the commute!
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| Posted 4/26/12 9:53 PM |
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violet5
LIF Infant
Member since 7/11 54 total posts
Name:
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Re: Li Lawyer Salaries
Based on my friends who are attorneys in both areas, the city seems to be about 3x the salary of LI. However, my friends in the city also went to better law schools so its possible the gap would be smaller if that wasnt the case
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| Posted 4/26/12 10:09 PM |
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Bearcat
Love my little girls!!! <3
Member since 6/10 10818 total posts
Name:
E
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Re: Li Lawyer Salaries
Generally speaking not as much as you'd want. BUT it really depends on the firm and what your practice area is. I'm a 5th year associate with an excellent salary on LI. No idea about paras.
IMO, you should factor in the cost of going to law school and research salaries with that in mind. I make good money, but a lot of it goes towards paying back my loans.
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| Posted 4/26/12 10:13 PM |
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MrsS1976
LIF Adolescent
Member since 5/11 534 total posts
Name:
M
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Re: Li Lawyer Salaries
Posted by amber1
Wow. I did not know that. Are most of them under or over $100k once you are established (like 10 years in)?
It's going to vary on the firm and practice area. I have 10 years experience so I am earning a great salary however it's pitiful compared to my peers who work in large corporate law firms earn (ie Skadden Arps or similar firms that start new lawyers at $160K). My first job as a newbie attorney was a pitiful $37K (doing insurance defense for a cut rate auto ins company on Wall street). The average starting salaries for small law firms in LI is around 40-55K.
I'm fortunate because I am earning a Manhattan salary yet I work on LI but that's only because my company has law offices in NYC, LI and NJ and salaries are the same in this region regardless of what office we are in (I transferred to the Melville office from the midtown Manhattan office only a year ago).
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| Posted 4/26/12 10:43 PM |
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alli3131
Peanut is here!!!!!!
Member since 5/09 18388 total posts
Name:
Allison
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Re: Li Lawyer Salaries
Posted by shadows
Starting on LI - you're probably looking at 50k or so. Less than that is not unheard of. After 10 years I think 100k is a fair estimate. The salaries are definitely better in the city if you have the ability/energy to do the commute!
Starting at smaller firms for an atty is less than 50k. When I graduated in2007. I decided not to practice cause I made more in my old field.
Paralegals make much less than that but you will not have the huge school bills if you go for a paralegal cert
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| Posted 4/27/12 7:03 AM |
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lynnd126
LIF Adult
Member since 3/11 2630 total posts
Name:
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Re: Li Lawyer Salaries
I really can't imagine being between law school or a para cert... I mean logistically they are SO far from one another.
As a pp said, I would NOT pursue law school unless you have some huge calling or already know of a great job, i.e. your family has a small firm or something.
There was just an article in the Times about LSAT apps FINALLY decreasing- and significantly. Just Google new attorney graduates/ job rates and the articles and blogs you'll find should properly deter you...
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| Posted 4/27/12 7:22 AM |
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summerBaby10
let's be nice
Member since 9/07 10208 total posts
Name:
Wifey
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Re: Li Lawyer Salaries
Just as everyone mentioned, in the city, your salary would be so much higher than LI.
A friend of mine has been practicing in Nassau for the last 5-6 years & only makes 55k (the office is just herself & her boss (it's his practice with 2 paralegals) She gets out at 6pm every night, not many late nights at all.
Meanwhile, another friend of mine has been a legal secretary for almost 10 years, not even a paralegal & makes 85K before overtime but usually makes more like 100k after overtime at a huge firm in the city. Her lawyers work late nights on a daily basis.
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| Posted 4/27/12 8:23 AM |
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4ForMe
:)
Member since 11/05 5666 total posts
Name:
Barbara
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Re: Li Lawyer Salaries
DH is a lawyer and works in Nassau County. He's been been working as an attorney for about 15 years (he's in the healthcare field).
He makes a very decent salary, but it's not what people would think. He opted to work where he works because he has a lot of flexibility. He works long hours on some days but has the ability to leave early on days he needs to attend functions my kids may have or to coach baseball. If he worked in the city at a firm for more money as a partner somewhere we would never see him. That's not what he wanted, and honestly neither do I.
I hate telling people that he's an attorney because of the stereotype that comes along with it. People automatically assume you're wealthy. I am fortunate to be a SAHM, but with 4 kids, 2 cars, a house, student loans and other various bills...it's very hard.
Message edited 4/27/2012 9:36:53 AM.
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| Posted 4/27/12 9:35 AM |
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sameinitials
insert creative comment here
Member since 2/12 1998 total posts
Name:
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Re: Li Lawyer Salaries
The marketplace is awful for lawyers right now. unless you can go to law school for free (or almost free), so as not to incur giant loans, I wouldn't recommend it. I know people who graduated from good law schools 1+ years ago who are still unemployed/underemployed.
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| Posted 4/27/12 9:40 AM |
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Jugglemom
LIF Adolescent
Member since 3/12 809 total posts
Name:
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Re: Li Lawyer Salaries
A a lawyer, my starting salary 10 years ago was $120k. However, I went to a top 20 law school and worked at a large firm in the city. Now, I am a mom and work for a very large company as in-house counsel. I make over 200k but that is significantly less than if I were still with a city firm but considering my schedule and lifestyle it's great.
Honestly, I would not work as a lawyer for less than 100k
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| Posted 4/27/12 9:43 AM |
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sameinitials
insert creative comment here
Member since 2/12 1998 total posts
Name:
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Re: Li Lawyer Salaries
Posted by Jugglemom
Honestly, I would not work as a lawyer for less than 100k
I think it depends what you are doing - I went to a very good law school, but work at a legal services org (which is what I wanted to do). I make far less than 100k, but my hours are basically 9-5 and I feel much more fulfilled by the work than I would if I did corporate-ish law.
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| Posted 4/27/12 9:48 AM |
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EsquireFish
LIF Adult
Member since 3/09 1259 total posts
Name:
G
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Re: Li Lawyer Salaries
Posted by mamabear
I practice in Manhattan. I looked at practicing in long island once, and it really wasn't a lot. If you want to be a lawyer, I highly suggest you do it because you actually enjoy the law and believe you will enjoy practicing, not for the money. You can earn a good salary at the right places, but there are a lot of sacrifices for that salary. If you want to practice locally, at a small firm, for a non-profit, or the gov't, you won't have a high salary.
THIS.
I work in Manhattan, and last summer I looked into moving to a well-regarded large (for LI) LI firm.... and I would have taken a FIFTY PERCENT paycut. Um, no.
My sister also recently graduated law school. I have been out for several years, and employment prospects for recent graduates (or anyone laid off, for that matter) are horrible. It took her ages to find a job, and it wasn't a permanent one at that. And there were classmates of hers carrying six figures of debt and making 30-40K, which clearly doesn't work.
Moral is - go to law school if you WANT to be a lawyer, regardless of salary, prestige, etc. Don't go if you are looking to make big money, etc.
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| Posted 4/27/12 10:05 AM |
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lovemyfamily88
LIF Adolescent
Member since 5/10 641 total posts
Name:
????
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Re: Li Lawyer Salaries
My SIL graduated law school last year and got an offer while she was still in school. The firm she interned with offered her a full time position. She is working on LI and her starting salary was over $100,000.
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| Posted 4/27/12 10:16 AM |
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mamabear
LIF Adult
Member since 3/08 4539 total posts
Name:
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Re: Li Lawyer Salaries
Posted by EsquireFish
Posted by mamabear
I practice in Manhattan. I looked at practicing in long island once, and it really wasn't a lot. If you want to be a lawyer, I highly suggest you do it because you actually enjoy the law and believe you will enjoy practicing, not for the money. You can earn a good salary at the right places, but there are a lot of sacrifices for that salary. If you want to practice locally, at a small firm, for a non-profit, or the gov't, you won't have a high salary.
THIS.
I work in Manhattan, and last summer I looked into moving to a well-regarded large (for LI) LI firm.... and I would have taken a FIFTY PERCENT paycut. Um, no.
My sister also recently graduated law school. I have been out for several years, and employment prospects for recent graduates (or anyone laid off, for that matter) are horrible. It took her ages to find a job, and it wasn't a permanent one at that. And there were classmates of hers carrying six figures of debt and making 30-40K, which clearly doesn't work.
Moral is - go to law school if you WANT to be a lawyer, regardless of salary, prestige, etc. Don't go if you are looking to make big money, etc.
And one more thing...if you do decide to go, don't focus only on your first 1-5 years out of law school. Really think about what it is you want to do long term, and keep reevaluating that and speak to other lawyers so that you know what to do to keep your options open. It is very easy to get pigeon-holed. Especially in litigation.
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| Posted 4/27/12 10:22 AM |
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MrsS1976
LIF Adolescent
Member since 5/11 534 total posts
Name:
M
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Re: Li Lawyer Salaries
Here are some links about the realities of today's job market for lawyers (new attorneys and even those with 1-5 years experience):
http://www.businessinsider.com/real-stories-behind-the-law-school-crisis-2012-4
http://www.businessinsider.com/a-bunch-of-young-lawyers-are-suing-their-law-schools-because-they-dont-have-jobs-2012-2
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/30/AR2010103004638.html
http://thirdtierreality.blogspot.com/
Message edited 4/27/2012 10:27:33 AM.
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| Posted 4/27/12 10:26 AM |
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mrsej
The cutest!
Member since 1/07 2495 total posts
Name:
Mommy
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Re: Li Lawyer Salaries
I am a lawyer and work for the government and I love my job. I make a good salary with great benefits, but no where near what biglaw attorneys make. My boss hires law school interns every semester and it is grim out there. None of the 3Ls have jobs and the market is horrible. Law took a huge hit during the recession. The courts offered out of work attorneys, with minimum 5 years experience, to work with a judge as a type of law clerk, with out pay...they will NOT get paid. the first week it was offered 75 people applied. That is a lot. The market it saturated with attorneys. Also, the tuition is crazy and the times aren't like they used to be where you were guaranteed a well paying job where you could pay them back. If you want to be a lawyer because you love the law, then do it.
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| Posted 4/27/12 10:57 AM |
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alli3131
Peanut is here!!!!!!
Member since 5/09 18388 total posts
Name:
Allison
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Re: Li Lawyer Salaries
Also there are plenty of jobs that attorney do where they are not "practicing".
I went to Law School in my 30's so I had a career in construction management before. So when I finished school I decided to stay in construction but am now a Risk manager for the company I work for. There are a few of us here that have law degrees that are not practicing. I still make way more than I would on LI but not as much as if i was an atty in NYC. But I work 8-5 and never work nights or weekends. Perfect for me since I just started my family.
If you are really thinking about the career change you have to weigh it all out because most times that large salary comes with lots of hours.
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| Posted 4/27/12 11:52 AM |
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Danamz
LIF Adult
Member since 6/06 1978 total posts
Name:
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Re: Li Lawyer Salaries
Posted by MrsS1976
I'm a lawyer and the answer is NOT ENOUGH.
I agree. From my experience anywhere from 50-90... few 100+ jobs
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| Posted 4/27/12 2:00 PM |
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Re: Li Lawyer Salaries
Posted by Shelly
Posted by MrsS1976
I'm a lawyer and the answer is NOT ENOUGH.
I completely agree! I've been practicing in the city for 11 years, and am looking to get out. Its not a great profession- especially if you want to go into private practice.
I am one of the lucky ones. I have a job. It was difficult to get and I was out of work for 6 months. IMO it is not worth it. I work a ton of hours and the pay is not great.
Maybe as a paralegal you would be happier and a lot less debt.
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| Posted 4/27/12 2:07 PM |
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FirstMate
My lil cowboy
Member since 10/10 7789 total posts
Name:
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Re: Li Lawyer Salaries
Unless you love the law, I would not advise going to law school. I work on LI and make a nice salary but not as much as I would in the city. However, I work whenever I show up between 9 & 10 until about 6. My firm is very family oriented which is almost unheard of in this profession. If my son is sick, I can work from home, etc.
The job market is flooded. I have student loans and I can't imagine making $50K and trying to pay them back. I know some paralegals that have little to no student loan debt and are making 6 figures in the city. There is nothing wrong with considering that route instead.
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| Posted 4/27/12 2:14 PM |
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