What should my salary expectation be -- attorney

[Anonymous]

I moved here from a small city when my DH got a job in DC. I have been an attorney for 12 years -- 9 years in legal services/legal aid, 1 year with a boutique small firm in NYC, 1 year as a solo practitioner. I am getting interviews for small family law firms but don't know what is a reasonable salary reqirement to request when they ask me. I would prefer to work 25-30 hours per week but may work FT in the right situation. I do not want to be in the office more than 40 hours or on weekends unless for a special situation (on trial, etc.). I can handle my own cases and/or support lead attorneys and graduated from a top 15 law school, if that matters. Thanks for any guidance!

[Anonymous]

Be careful what you post here. It's possible that the people you are interviewing with may see this!

Starting salaries at some of the family law firms or small-mid firms with family law departments that have the more well known family law attorneys (Washingtonian's best divorce lawyers list) were anywhere from 75k to closer to 100k about 5 years ago. While those were the starting salaries, the new associates would be expected to work 2x what you're looking for.

[Anonymous]

I'd be surprised if you get more than 75k or 100k if you get really lucky.

[Anonymous]

Realistically, 60-85 is probably what to expect. Of course there will be outliers: 45 or 125k. Either way, don't expect that anyone will let you handle cases or have a good deal of responsibility AND be ok with you shutting down at hour 30 or at 4pm. Not likely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I moved here from a small city when my DH got a job in DC. I have been an attorney for 12 years -- 9 years in legal services/legal aid, 1 year with a boutique small firm in NYC, 1 year as a solo practitioner. I am getting interviews for small family law firms but don't know what is a reasonable salary reqirement to request when they ask me. I would prefer to work 25-30 hours per week but may work FT in the right situation. I do not want to be in the office more than 40 hours or on weekends unless for a special situation (on trial, etc.). I can handle my own cases and/or support lead attorneys and graduated from a top 15 law school, if that matters. Thanks for any guidance!

I would ask for whatever will make you highly motivated to work for the 25-30 hours. At that level - I'd think your better bet is with a large firm....you're basically "part time"...and that's a luxury for a small firm IMO...they don't wanna hear that. We have a lot of big firm lawyers that are out of work these days - and they are willing to work for less, and for more hours.

After 12 years your law school won't make much a difference in terms of salary demands IMO.

Good luck - and welcome to DC - hope you find something that makes you happy.

[Anonymous]

You may want to look for fed sector jobs. I know some fed attorneys that work 75% schedules, which is 30 hours a week. Most agencies will allow flex scheduling, so you could arrange to leave by 4pm, or possibly telework. You would need to market your general legal skills at an entry level position. Otherwise, I think the military has general legal services attorneys to support soldiers. With the DoD hiring freeze, might be difficult these days.

[Anonymous]

I think you may be disappointed. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see you offered more like $60-70K, perhaps with some kind of incentive based on bringing in clients. Hopefully I'm wrong, but I just don't think you should get your hopes up.

[Anonymous]

$60 k to $70k sounds high to me for the number of hours you want to work. If you get $50, I'd say you're doing good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$60 k to $70k sounds high to me for the number of hours you want to work. If you get $50, I'd say you're doing good.

This.

You are competing with young attorneys who are willing to work 60-70 hrs/week for $50K at small family firms.

[Anonymous]

I think many of the numbers listed below are low. My secretary makes over 70 to work 40 hours a week. Why would op make 50 to work 30 hours a week? Op I think it will depend a lot on if you're closer to 40 vs 25 hours. Figure out what you think your full time salary would be - Im guessing with your experience and firm type low 100 range and then reduce that amount based on the number of hours you want to work.

[Anonymous]

60k

[Anonymous]

140k

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think many of the numbers listed below are low. My secretary makes over 70 to work 40 hours a week. Why would op make 50 to work 30 hours a week? Op I think it will depend a lot on if you're closer to 40 vs 25 hours. Figure out what you think your full time salary would be - Im guessing with your experience and firm type low 100 range and then reduce that amount based on the number of hours you want to work.

At a small firm? No way.

I'd say 60k, 80 if you went full time.

[Anonymous]

Full time, with your experience, probably wouldn't take it for less than 80K plus benefits, but beware--the market sucks, lots of small firms are low balling people. Firms that paid decently five years ago and offered benefits want the sun, moon, and stars for $35/hr with no benefits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think many of the numbers listed below are low. My secretary makes over 70 to work 40 hours a week. Why would op make 50 to work 30 hours a week? Op I think it will depend a lot on if you're closer to 40 vs 25 hours. Figure out what you think your full time salary would be - Im guessing with your experience and firm type low 100 range and then reduce that amount based on the number of hours you want to work.

My secretary makes 35. We are a 9 atty office with 4 legal assistants. I have 5 yrs exp, handle my own cases, do jury trials, and have a 35 hr week billable requirement. I make $75K. Some more experienced attorneys in my firm make closer to 80-100K but they work their butts off - full time.