How much do big law partners make?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am CPA for many Big Law partners in DC and the range is anywhere from 2M - 12M from what I have personally seen.

Those over 7M work more in the M&A and Anti-Trust side for the largest of transactions.

They work like dogs and many of them are burnt out by 50 but the golden handcuffs keep them chugging along.

I understand that you have good reason to know how much money they are making, what with you doing their taxes and all, but how the hell do you know how hard they’re all working?

...because I have a relationship with them and talk about it?? I know their kids. We've worked together for years and I need to communicate with them very regularly.

It's a little unusual to have that kind of relationship with multiple clients. I am a biglaw partner and communicate with my accountants a few times per year at most, and they would have no occasion to meet my kids. It's a professional relationship.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is anyone making millions of dollars per year unless you started a company?

AI will replace most of these legal jobs anyway.

Agree but not biglaw jobs and not biglaw partner jobs. Big law at the top and middle is about bet the company work. AI will take out a lot but someone has to run the AI.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All these DH’s. Hope there are some women out there!

I don’t think you know what you’re wishing for. This is not a motherhood friendly life.

I am a BigLaw mom and have been a partner for 12 years at a top firm. It is absolutely do-able to be a BigLaw mom and be very present in your kids’ lives (room parent, attend nearly every game or show, home for bedtime, emotionally present). After years of hearing the complaining by the spouses of (mostly) men in BigLaw I have come to the conclusion that these men that are being complained about are just affirmatively choosing to not be present or do the hard work for family matters. They can attend the big events, they can help out around the house, they can help with carpool, they can carry the mental load, they can attend the function. They are just choosing not to. It’s a crutch. They just don’t want to do it so they blame work. Ask any rockstar mom. We are used to doing it all. I enjoy my job, I love my kids, I have fun with my friends, I take vacation. It is do-able. If it’s not it’s because you don’t want to (no judgment there), you have poor time management skills, or you’re at the wrong firm. Caveat here that I am not one of the $5M plus earners. I do agree that once you get to the 7-10M+ category, the stakes are raised significantly.

How many hours are you billing? I disagree with your post. Most biglaw partners can’t just miss a closing in Paris because it’s their kids field trip or soccer championship or birthday. It’s not a default parent compatible career. Most partners are working around the clock. And it’s not predictable. Things will be slower at times - meaning you’re probably just working most of the day, and at least part of the day on vacations - and then other times, you’ll be working until 3am when a deal is closing, and canceling any preplanned plans.

Biglaw Dad here. White collar defense. Global practice -- 20 plus years as partner. I agree with BigLaw mom and have done all of the stuff she has done. Are there some times I can't -- yes -- criminal trials a couple of times in another city. Travel a lot in general. But once you hit a level you can control a lot about the schedule. Not all the time but enough to make it mostly work. I have been at a couple of firms and I do not understand the partners that are not present for the kids absent some big issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All these DH’s. Hope there are some women out there!

I don’t think you know what you’re wishing for. This is not a motherhood friendly life.

I am a BigLaw mom and have been a partner for 12 years at a top firm. It is absolutely do-able to be a BigLaw mom and be very present in your kids’ lives (room parent, attend nearly every game or show, home for bedtime, emotionally present). After years of hearing the complaining by the spouses of (mostly) men in BigLaw I have come to the conclusion that these men that are being complained about are just affirmatively choosing to not be present or do the hard work for family matters. They can attend the big events, they can help out around the house, they can help with carpool, they can carry the mental load, they can attend the function. They are just choosing not to. It’s a crutch. They just don’t want to do it so they blame work. Ask any rockstar mom. We are used to doing it all. I enjoy my job, I love my kids, I have fun with my friends, I take vacation. It is do-able. If it’s not it’s because you don’t want to (no judgment there), you have poor time management skills, or you’re at the wrong firm. Caveat here that I am not one of the $5M plus earners. I do agree that once you get to the 7-10M+ category, the stakes are raised significantly.

How many hours are you billing? I disagree with your post. Most biglaw partners can’t just miss a closing in Paris because it’s their kids field trip or soccer championship or birthday. It’s not a default parent compatible career. Most partners are working around the clock. And it’s not predictable. Things will be slower at times - meaning you’re probably just working most of the day, and at least part of the day on vacations - and then other times, you’ll be working until 3am when a deal is closing, and canceling any preplanned plans.

Biglaw Dad here. White collar defense. Global practice -- 20 plus years as partner. I agree with BigLaw mom and have done all of the stuff she has done. Are there some times I can't -- yes -- criminal trials a couple of times in another city. Travel a lot in general. But once you hit a level you can control a lot about the schedule. Not all the time but enough to make it mostly work. I have been at a couple of firms and I do not understand the partners that are not present for the kids absent some big issue.

I'm not a BigLaw partner, but a partner at consulting firm. Comp is pretty similar to what we're talking about here (7 figures).

I completely agree with this post. As you get older and more experienced you get a lot more efficient and, critically, can control or at least influence the schedule of things. Being present for your family and kids is 100% doable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All these DH’s. Hope there are some women out there!

I don’t think you know what you’re wishing for. This is not a motherhood friendly life.

I am a BigLaw mom and have been a partner for 12 years at a top firm. It is absolutely do-able to be a BigLaw mom and be very present in your kids’ lives (room parent, attend nearly every game or show, home for bedtime, emotionally present). After years of hearing the complaining by the spouses of (mostly) men in BigLaw I have come to the conclusion that these men that are being complained about are just affirmatively choosing to not be present or do the hard work for family matters. They can attend the big events, they can help out around the house, they can help with carpool, they can carry the mental load, they can attend the function. They are just choosing not to. It’s a crutch. They just don’t want to do it so they blame work. Ask any rockstar mom. We are used to doing it all. I enjoy my job, I love my kids, I have fun with my friends, I take vacation. It is do-able. If it’s not it’s because you don’t want to (no judgment there), you have poor time management skills, or you’re at the wrong firm. Caveat here that I am not one of the $5M plus earners. I do agree that once you get to the 7-10M+ category, the stakes are raised significantly.

How many hours are you billing? I disagree with your post. Most biglaw partners can’t just miss a closing in Paris because it’s their kids field trip or soccer championship or birthday. It’s not a default parent compatible career. Most partners are working around the clock. And it’s not predictable. Things will be slower at times - meaning you’re probably just working most of the day, and at least part of the day on vacations - and then other times, you’ll be working until 3am when a deal is closing, and canceling any preplanned plans.

Biglaw Dad here. White collar defense. Global practice -- 20 plus years as partner. I agree with BigLaw mom and have done all of the stuff she has done. Are there some times I can't -- yes -- criminal trials a couple of times in another city. Travel a lot in general. But once you hit a level you can control a lot about the schedule. Not all the time but enough to make it mostly work. I have been at a couple of firms and I do not understand the partners that are not present for the kids absent some big issue.

DH is a BigLaw partner and can show up for games, performances, awards at school, whatever.

That doesn’t negate all the early mornings, late nights, weekends and hours on vacation he has spent putting out some fire or another. It’s grueling and relentless and the clients don’t care - they just want it DONE.

The kids are fine. I am okay but I miss him. We have a nice life. But it’s so much for him and I worry about him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All these DH’s. Hope there are some women out there!

I don’t think you know what you’re wishing for. This is not a motherhood friendly life.

I am a BigLaw mom and have been a partner for 12 years at a top firm. It is absolutely do-able to be a BigLaw mom and be very present in your kids’ lives (room parent, attend nearly every game or show, home for bedtime, emotionally present). After years of hearing the complaining by the spouses of (mostly) men in BigLaw I have come to the conclusion that these men that are being complained about are just affirmatively choosing to not be present or do the hard work for family matters. They can attend the big events, they can help out around the house, they can help with carpool, they can carry the mental load, they can attend the function. They are just choosing not to. It’s a crutch. They just don’t want to do it so they blame work. Ask any rockstar mom. We are used to doing it all. I enjoy my job, I love my kids, I have fun with my friends, I take vacation. It is do-able. If it’s not it’s because you don’t want to (no judgment there), you have poor time management skills, or you’re at the wrong firm. Caveat here that I am not one of the $5M plus earners. I do agree that once you get to the 7-10M+ category, the stakes are raised significantly.

How many hours are you billing? I disagree with your post. Most biglaw partners can’t just miss a closing in Paris because it’s their kids field trip or soccer championship or birthday. It’s not a default parent compatible career. Most partners are working around the clock. And it’s not predictable. Things will be slower at times - meaning you’re probably just working most of the day, and at least part of the day on vacations - and then other times, you’ll be working until 3am when a deal is closing, and canceling any preplanned plans.

Biglaw Dad here. White collar defense. Global practice -- 20 plus years as partner. I agree with BigLaw mom and have done all of the stuff she has done. Are there some times I can't -- yes -- criminal trials a couple of times in another city. Travel a lot in general. But once you hit a level you can control a lot about the schedule. Not all the time but enough to make it mostly work. I have been at a couple of firms and I do not understand the partners that are not present for the kids absent some big issue.

DH is a BigLaw partner and can show up for games, performances, awards at school, whatever.

That doesn’t negate all the early mornings, late nights, weekends and hours on vacation he has spent putting out some fire or another. It’s grueling and relentless and the clients don’t care - they just want it DONE.

The kids are fine. I am okay but I miss him. We have a nice life. But it’s so much for him and I worry about him.

Sure -- but that is the job. And most love it even if they say they do not. It is a thrill to walk into a room and take charge int he middle of a major mess. That's why you do the job. And the money of course. But if it is just the money it can't be done for long.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All these DH’s. Hope there are some women out there!

I don’t think you know what you’re wishing for. This is not a motherhood friendly life.

I am a BigLaw mom and have been a partner for 12 years at a top firm. It is absolutely do-able to be a BigLaw mom and be very present in your kids’ lives (room parent, attend nearly every game or show, home for bedtime, emotionally present). After years of hearing the complaining by the spouses of (mostly) men in BigLaw I have come to the conclusion that these men that are being complained about are just affirmatively choosing to not be present or do the hard work for family matters. They can attend the big events, they can help out around the house, they can help with carpool, they can carry the mental load, they can attend the function. They are just choosing not to. It’s a crutch. They just don’t want to do it so they blame work. Ask any rockstar mom. We are used to doing it all. I enjoy my job, I love my kids, I have fun with my friends, I take vacation. It is do-able. If it’s not it’s because you don’t want to (no judgment there), you have poor time management skills, or you’re at the wrong firm. Caveat here that I am not one of the $5M plus earners. I do agree that once you get to the 7-10M+ category, the stakes are raised significantly.

How many hours are you billing? I disagree with your post. Most biglaw partners can’t just miss a closing in Paris because it’s their kids field trip or soccer championship or birthday. It’s not a default parent compatible career. Most partners are working around the clock. And it’s not predictable. Things will be slower at times - meaning you’re probably just working most of the day, and at least part of the day on vacations - and then other times, you’ll be working until 3am when a deal is closing, and canceling any preplanned plans.

Biglaw Dad here. White collar defense. Global practice -- 20 plus years as partner. I agree with BigLaw mom and have done all of the stuff she has done. Are there some times I can't -- yes -- criminal trials a couple of times in another city. Travel a lot in general. But once you hit a level you can control a lot about the schedule. Not all the time but enough to make it mostly work. I have been at a couple of firms and I do not understand the partners that are not present for the kids absent some big issue.

DH is a BigLaw partner and can show up for games, performances, awards at school, whatever.

That doesn’t negate all the early mornings, late nights, weekends and hours on vacation he has spent putting out some fire or another. It’s grueling and relentless and the clients don’t care - they just want it DONE.

The kids are fine. I am okay but I miss him. We have a nice life. But it’s so much for him and I worry about him.

Sure -- but that is the job. And most love it even if they say they do not. It is a thrill to walk into a room and take charge int he middle of a major mess. That's why you do the job. And the money of course. But if it is just the money it can't be done for long.

Most do not “love it” - but it’s really hard to change jobs when law firm experience is all you have.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All these DH’s. Hope there are some women out there!

I don’t think you know what you’re wishing for. This is not a motherhood friendly life.

I am a BigLaw mom and have been a partner for 12 years at a top firm. It is absolutely do-able to be a BigLaw mom and be very present in your kids’ lives (room parent, attend nearly every game or show, home for bedtime, emotionally present). After years of hearing the complaining by the spouses of (mostly) men in BigLaw I have come to the conclusion that these men that are being complained about are just affirmatively choosing to not be present or do the hard work for family matters. They can attend the big events, they can help out around the house, they can help with carpool, they can carry the mental load, they can attend the function. They are just choosing not to. It’s a crutch. They just don’t want to do it so they blame work. Ask any rockstar mom. We are used to doing it all. I enjoy my job, I love my kids, I have fun with my friends, I take vacation. It is do-able. If it’s not it’s because you don’t want to (no judgment there), you have poor time management skills, or you’re at the wrong firm. Caveat here that I am not one of the $5M plus earners. I do agree that once you get to the 7-10M+ category, the stakes are raised significantly.

How many hours are you billing? I disagree with your post. Most biglaw partners can’t just miss a closing in Paris because it’s their kids field trip or soccer championship or birthday. It’s not a default parent compatible career. Most partners are working around the clock. And it’s not predictable. Things will be slower at times - meaning you’re probably just working most of the day, and at least part of the day on vacations - and then other times, you’ll be working until 3am when a deal is closing, and canceling any preplanned plans.

Biglaw Dad here. White collar defense. Global practice -- 20 plus years as partner. I agree with BigLaw mom and have done all of the stuff she has done. Are there some times I can't -- yes -- criminal trials a couple of times in another city. Travel a lot in general. But once you hit a level you can control a lot about the schedule. Not all the time but enough to make it mostly work. I have been at a couple of firms and I do not understand the partners that are not present for the kids absent some big issue.

DH is a BigLaw partner and can show up for games, performances, awards at school, whatever.

That doesn’t negate all the early mornings, late nights, weekends and hours on vacation he has spent putting out some fire or another. It’s grueling and relentless and the clients don’t care - they just want it DONE.

The kids are fine. I am okay but I miss him. We have a nice life. But it’s so much for him and I worry about him.

Sure -- but that is the job. And most love it even if they say they do not. It is a thrill to walk into a room and take charge int he middle of a major mess. That's why you do the job. And the money of course. But if it is just the money it can't be done for long.

Most do not “love it” - but it’s really hard to change jobs when law firm experience is all you have.

New poster here — I don’t even like it, let alone love it. I only do it for the money. Period. And I’ll retire early.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am CPA for many Big Law partners in DC and the range is anywhere from 2M - 12M from what I have personally seen.

Those over 7M work more in the M&A and Anti-Trust side for the largest of transactions.

They work like dogs and many of them are burnt out by 50 but the golden handcuffs keep them chugging along.

I understand that you have good reason to know how much money they are making, what with you doing their taxes and all, but how the hell do you know how hard they’re all working?

...because I have a relationship with them and talk about it?? I know their kids. We've worked together for years and I need to communicate with them very regularly.

Baloney.

[Anonymous]

$2million, year 4, equity

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am CPA for many Big Law partners in DC and the range is anywhere from 2M - 12M from what I have personally seen.

Those over 7M work more in the M&A and Anti-Trust side for the largest of transactions.

They work like dogs and many of them are burnt out by 50 but the golden handcuffs keep them chugging along.

I understand that you have good reason to know how much money they are making, what with you doing their taxes and all, but how the hell do you know how hard they’re all working?

...because I have a relationship with them and talk about it?? I know their kids. We've worked together for years and I need to communicate with them very regularly.

It's a little unusual to have that kind of relationship with multiple clients. I am a biglaw partner and communicate with my accountants a few times per year at most, and they would have no occasion to meet my kids. It's a professional relationship.

Exactly. I loved posts like this. When you call out their puffery they just double down and bullshit you more. Yeah, Biglaw partners talk to this regularly about their work schedule, he knows their kids., and he’s their friggin accountant! Lol, sure. Biglaw partners working their his asses off and busy as hell have enough time to forge close personal relationships with their accountant! Especially this accountant, lol, because he apparently has that kind of intimate relationship with more than one biglaw partner. What a complete crock of shit lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a CPA for a few downtown and they (my clients) make between 3M and 7M fairly consistently. Some do broach $10M+

That is insane! Wow.

So do most partners fall in the 3-7M range? And what are their ages?

NO. Most do not. PP has somehow cultivated the higher end of the range for clients.

Makes sense, because partners making that kind of money are more likely to need a CPA. Also if the firm does business in multiple states, the partner needs to file non-resident returns in each of those states.

Every partner with a K-1 needs a CPA. Most firms reimburse partners for their tax preparer (ours pays up 4k I think).

The 7MM figure is definitely high end. That’s only remotely normal at a handful of firms (Wachtell, Kirkland, DPW, S&C, maybe Cravath). For most “good not great” firms there will be a good handful in the 7MM-12MM range and a whole lot more in the 2MM-3MM range.

Not to scoff at 2MM. Most biglaw partners are making that kind of pro athlete money by 50. But it’s backup QB money, not Mahomes money… you get to pick one thing: a yacht, a beach house, a house in southern France, a car collection. But you don’t get them all. And given that most are divorced at least once and paying for who knows how many college tuitions and underachieving kids, they may need to be happy with a Range and a CC membership.

Man… why is this? I don’t know a single particularly successful kid of a big rainmaker partner. It’s scary.

The parents work non stop and are checked out from parenting, hoping that somehow a nanny who makes $25/hr and speaks poor English can raise their kids well?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Leaving govt after a long long time - newly empty nester (woman) - have non equity partner offers

Is this worth trying? I don’t need the money - it would certainly be nice but I think there are jobs I could get that would pay closer to a govt salary and lifestyle would be okay.

Completely depends on law firm - what does NEP mean, is there a path to equity, what is the pay and how much if any depends on originations, what is the expectation on you to bring work in, how do they support laterals, do they have work for you, etc etc
And depends on you and what you want!

If she’s already an empty nester and doesn’t need the money she might not care about oath to equity. But definitely worth figuring out what work they have for you and if you’ll be expected to bring in business. Sending you to conferences to schmooze and talk and hang out govt credentials out to entice clients is one thing, but if they’re gojng to base your comp on what you actually pull in (eat what you kill), that may not be worth the stress for you. But some firms already have the clients but need the expertise to fill out an existing practice or something like that — this could be a very cushy path to retirement for you.

PP here considering a firm, for the offer I think I’m leaning towards there will be some business development but more in terms of using my expertise to expand work with existing clients and then having me oversee that work in an area where I have a lot of expertise (niche regulatory practice).

Please don’t leave the antitrust division/SEC! We need you in there

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For some reason it’s all law partners posting here

I’m curious to know about the compensation & lifestyles of MBB consulting partners, as well as big 4 audit, tax and consulting partners.

I think we moved on, but in case anyone is still curious, compensation for big 4 consulting partners sounds kind of similar, however pay does not go nearly as high. I don’t know any consulting partners making $10m. I do, however, know tons who are making $1-2m. A good chunk of that will go towards taxes, pensions, health insurance, college funds etc, so they’re not living a wildly extravagant lifestyles. Plus a lot of them are accountants, so they’re all pretty sensible when it comes to money. But they’re not poor by any standards- apart from DCUM standards, of course. It does sound like the lifestyle is much more manageable and enjoyable though.