In house Comp for lawyers relative to firms

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In-house people, how many of you can work remotely, and how often?

PP making 210 - I'm fully remote and have been since I went in house. Also relevant to the comp conversation - my job is part time (0.6 FTE).

[Anonymous]

I'm in house at a big company and my total comp including bonus and vested LTI is ~500k. Most of that isn't salary, which is still in the 200s. We get a big bonus, very significant LTI and an excellent 401k match.

I'm a senior director level with no reports. I'd expect the DGC level to be around 600k and senior counsel to be around 400k. Given that I don't usually work nights and weekends like a law firm, I'm pretty darn content with the comp. It seems like a good trade off for having a life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm in house at a big company and my total comp including bonus and vested LTI is ~500k. Most of that isn't salary, which is still in the 200s. We get a big bonus, very significant LTI and an excellent 401k match.

I'm a senior director level with no reports. I'd expect the DGC level to be around 600k and senior counsel to be around 400k. Given that I don't usually work nights and weekends like a law firm, I'm pretty darn content with the comp. It seems like a good trade off for having a life.

These gigs definitely exist but they are fairly difficult to find. But if you can get one, keep it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm in house at a big company and my total comp including bonus and vested LTI is ~500k. Most of that isn't salary, which is still in the 200s. We get a big bonus, very significant LTI and an excellent 401k match.

I'm a senior director level with no reports. I'd expect the DGC level to be around 600k and senior counsel to be around 400k. Given that I don't usually work nights and weekends like a law firm, I'm pretty darn content with the comp. It seems like a good trade off for having a life.

LTI is key to higher comp in house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The "what if laid off" from in house thread made me think.

I have been in house for most of my career--22 years in house and about 5 at firms before that and 1 in government.

I noticed when I went in house at first after the law firms the comp was roughly the same as "of counsel" at firms.

Now there seems to be a huge difference--the law firm salaries exploded and the in house did not.

Thoughts? Is this a right read? What can we do about it.

I think of counsel at most big law is probably around 450 (pre bonus) and call it another 50k bonus. Is that right.

Whereas most in house is in the 200s with bonus. I would be like mid 200s with say 325-340 all in with cash bonus.

😂

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In-house people, how many of you can work remotely, and how often?

I work remotely 100% of the time. Salary plus bonuses is about $340k. I never work nights or weekends.

[Anonymous]

Spent 7 years BigLaw, then public sector now at a non profit. All in, including generous 401k I make 400K. I don’t have to manage anyone, work remotely and no late nights or weekends. Also I care about the work unlike what I was doing in BigLaw. All in all it seems like a very good trade off for quality of life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Spent 7 years BigLaw, then public sector now at a non profit. All in, including generous 401k I make 400K. I don’t have to manage anyone, work remotely and no late nights or weekends. Also I care about the work unlike what I was doing in BigLaw. All in all it seems like a very good trade off for quality of life.

what types of nonprofits pay $400k? are you the GC?

[Anonymous]

I’m having a tough time believing that Biglaw of counsel typically don’t make much more than the in house numbers being cited here. Senior associates in Biglaw make that much.

[Anonymous]

I’m at about $350k in house not including stock and benefits. But I work full time remote, never work on weekends, and I love my job. Never looked back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Spent 7 years BigLaw, then public sector now at a non profit. All in, including generous 401k I make 400K. I don’t have to manage anyone, work remotely and no late nights or weekends. Also I care about the work unlike what I was doing in BigLaw. All in all it seems like a very good trade off for quality of life.

what types of nonprofits pay $400k? are you the GC?

No, not the GC. Large private foundation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think your take is right. But here’s the thing. In house is easier. You aren’t competing for work - it’s just there. And, at least for me, it’s a lot less hours. Way better work - life balance.

I work 50-55 hours a week in house and I’ve taken 8 days of vacation this year from my in house job. I’m the only lawyer and we’re busy. All in my comp is about 340.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think your take is right. But here’s the thing. In house is easier. You aren’t competing for work - it’s just there. And, at least for me, it’s a lot less hours. Way better work - life balance.

I work 50-55 hours a week in house and I’ve taken 8 days of vacation this year from my in house job. I’m the only lawyer and we’re busy. All in my comp is about 340.

Get budget and hire someone at a firm as your backup. Don't be a martyr.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm in house at a big company and my total comp including bonus and vested LTI is ~500k. Most of that isn't salary, which is still in the 200s. We get a big bonus, very significant LTI and an excellent 401k match.

I'm a senior director level with no reports. I'd expect the DGC level to be around 600k and senior counsel to be around 400k. Given that I don't usually work nights and weekends like a law firm, I'm pretty darn content with the comp. It seems like a good trade off for having a life.

I mak 250+80 or 90K bonus. How do I get that kind of compensation? I am 25 years out of law school, with big firm experience

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think your take is right. But here’s the thing. In house is easier. You aren’t competing for work - it’s just there. And, at least for me, it’s a lot less hours. Way better work - life balance.

I work 50-55 hours a week in house and I’ve taken 8 days of vacation this year from my in house job. I’m the only lawyer and we’re busy. All in my comp is about 340.

Get budget and hire someone at a firm as your backup. Don't be a martyr.

Asked and told no