What’s the real salary for most lawyers in DC?

[Anonymous]

First year large law firm associates make 225k salary now. Senior associates make 400-500k w bonus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:GS15 starts at about 164k and hits about 192k. The most experienced gov lawyers, at least in my agency, are at GS15 (although some never are). I think I got my 15 around year 5.

I find it really bizarre that lawyers are GS 15 so quickly. Why is this? It seems arbitrary when others in different professions that could be making a lot of money in areas outside of government do not.

This is very agency specific. For agencies whose employees can more easily move to the private sector, lawyers (and others, like economists) are made GS-15 as soon as possible, which can be as little as a few years after starting. In other agencies, there's much less reason to do so, and it can be rare for non-supervisory employees to ever get to GS-15 (or even GS-14).

[Anonymous]

Small firm. Bill about 30 hours a week. Salary is $275k plus bonus and profit sharing, which has varied between $20k-$200k over the last few years.

[Anonymous]

Administrative judge (federal). $204K plus &10K bonus. Rarely exceed 40 hrs per week, zero stress, fascinating work, complete control of schedule (can WFH most days), essentially no “boss” oversees my day-to-day. Sweet!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Administrative judge (federal). $204K plus &10K bonus. Rarely exceed 40 hrs per week, zero stress, fascinating work, complete control of schedule (can WFH most days), essentially no “boss” oversees my day-to-day. Sweet!

which agency pays 240 for ALJ?

[Anonymous]

I'm a solo attorney. I made $468K last year. This year I am earning a bit more so will likely be at $500K.

I am entirely overworked and do not think that I can sustain the hours that I have. I am 45 and am thinking of selling the practice off and going to government.

Have no support is really not sustainable long term. I have worked at home for the past 15 years, though, and always available for the kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:nonprofit attorney - $350

Nonprofit at $350K? Good lord.
Makes me want to never donate again but sounds like it must be a good gig.

[Anonymous]

I'm SES at a federal agency, make about $225 including bonuses. Hours vary wildly - many weeks I only work 40 hours but there are plenty that I work 60+.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a solo attorney. I made $468K last year. This year I am earning a bit more so will likely be at $500K.

I am entirely overworked and do not think that I can sustain the hours that I have. I am 45 and am thinking of selling the practice off and going to government.

Have no support is really not sustainable long term. I have worked at home for the past 15 years, though, and always available for the kids.

Where is the mother of the children?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a solo attorney. I made $468K last year. This year I am earning a bit more so will likely be at $500K.

I am entirely overworked and do not think that I can sustain the hours that I have. I am 45 and am thinking of selling the practice off and going to government.

Have no support is really not sustainable long term. I have worked at home for the past 15 years, though, and always available for the kids.

Where is the mother of the children?

I am the mother of the children.

My DH works in construction management so he cannot work from home and has less flexible hours.

[Anonymous]

I’m surprised by the in house salaries people are quoting. My husband was in house ant a very large company and earning about $300k plus some bonuses and he actually interviewed for a couple equivalent positions and they generally offered the same or less.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m surprised by the in house salaries people are quoting. My husband was in house ant a very large company and earning about $300k plus some bonuses and he actually interviewed for a couple equivalent positions and they generally offered the same or less.

The salaries quoted were all in with bonuses. My base is $225k but I’m at around $350k all in with bonus and RSU. I recently spoke to a recruiter who said the market rate for my position was about $100k higher all end, so these salaries don’t surprise me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m surprised by the in house salaries people are quoting. My husband was in house ant a very large company and earning about $300k plus some bonuses and he actually interviewed for a couple equivalent positions and they generally offered the same or less.

The salaries quoted were all in with bonuses. My base is $225k but I’m at around $350k all in with bonus and RSU. I recently spoke to a recruiter who said the market rate for my position was about $100k higher all end, so these salaries don’t surprise me.

So in-house atty rates are roughly $450K? That is higher than I thought.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s really disheartening. T10 law school, 20 years experience in Big Law, in-house and small law. Can’t seem to break out of the $300’s (unless I go back to Big Law which I’m not doing.)

Why is this disheartening? This is simple math. Legal is a cost center everywhere other than law firms, so of course you have to go to a law firm for the big money.

Nah. Lots of senior (but not highest level) in house jobs make 500-700k with the bonus. Many GC’s clear $1M.

Agree. With RSUs and bonuses, even lawyers reporting to the GC are making over 1 mil. at some local companies. Of course, some have to hold onto the stock, so it's not like the cash is in the bank, able to be spent. But still, it seems a more long term lucrative path with less work than most law firms.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m surprised by the in house salaries people are quoting. My husband was in house ant a very large company and earning about $300k plus some bonuses and he actually interviewed for a couple equivalent positions and they generally offered the same or less.

Does he get RSUs? If a company is doing really well and you are getting a lot of stock, that is when your total compensation can dwarf your base salary. Also in good years, your bonus can exceed your base (it did for us this year).