Of counsel in Biglaw dc salary range

[Anonymous]

DH has a job offer in DC at NIH. We are coming from Cleveland, OH. I am currently a senior associate who has been given the talk at my top regional firm. It’s at the bottom of the vault 100 so I guess it counts as big law? Anyway, I have aged out of applying for associate positions so I think I am going to apply to some of counsel positions in dc. What is the general salary range for a new of counsel in dc big law? I have about 10 years of firm experience and will not be bringing any business with me.

[Anonymous]

Pretty much in line with senior associate salaries.

[Anonymous]

$350-400. I’m at the high end of that at a V15.

[Anonymous]

I am sorry but you have a total misconception of what the of counsel position is in big law DC. Typically it is for associates who have spent most of their careers in the firm, yet for one reason or another the firm isn’t prepared to make them a partner. Or, it’s for lawyers who join the firm from the government with the expectation that within a couple years you will be considered for partner. Unless you are highly specialized and fill a real void for a particular firm, these jobs are not normally available to senior associates from Cleveland law firms who have no business and were “given the talk.” You’re dreaming.

[Anonymous]

What does “given the talk”mean

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What does “given the talk”mean

Told she’s not going to make partner and should start looking for a new job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: I am sorry but you have a total misconception of what the of counsel position is in big law DC. Typically it is for associates who have spent most of their careers in the firm, yet for one reason or another the firm isn’t prepared to make them a partner. Or, it’s for lawyers who join the firm from the government with the expectation that within a couple years you will be considered for partner. Unless you are highly specialized and fill a real void for a particular firm, these jobs are not normally available to senior associates from Cleveland law firms who have no business and were “given the talk.” You’re dreaming.

This depends heavily on the firm and specialty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: I am sorry but you have a total misconception of what the of counsel position is in big law DC. Typically it is for associates who have spent most of their careers in the firm, yet for one reason or another the firm isn’t prepared to make them a partner. Or, it’s for lawyers who join the firm from the government with the expectation that within a couple years you will be considered for partner. Unless you are highly specialized and fill a real void for a particular firm, these jobs are not normally available to senior associates from Cleveland law firms who have no business and were “given the talk.” You’re dreaming.

Yeah, I'd agree with this. Of counsel at a DC biglaw firm is probably not happening for you.

And anyway, these are not just jobs you "apply" to. You should start working with a recruiter, who will be able to help you gauge what's realistic and help you find those positions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I am sorry but you have a total misconception of what the of counsel position is in big law DC. Typically it is for associates who have spent most of their careers in the firm, yet for one reason or another the firm isn’t prepared to make them a partner. Or, it’s for lawyers who join the firm from the government with the expectation that within a couple years you will be considered for partner. Unless you are highly specialized and fill a real void for a particular firm, these jobs are not normally available to senior associates from Cleveland law firms who have no business and were “given the talk.” You’re dreaming.

This depends heavily on the firm and specialty.

Yes, but this is generally the case for DC firms. OP needs to bring in some kind of DC-centric specialty/niche to really get in as "Of Counsel". Depending on experience, I'd recommend OP to look into in-house jobs as well.

[Anonymous]

Rude much? Maybe OP was given the talk because her barely top 100 firm isn’t doing very well. Or maybe it’s because all the male partners don’t see women as viable candidates. Or for some other reason unrelated to her skills. She may have something to offer a firm in need. She should talk to a recruiter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rude much? Maybe OP was given the talk because her barely top 100 firm isn’t doing very well. Or maybe it’s because all the male partners don’t see women as viable candidates. Or for some other reason unrelated to her skills. She may have something to offer a firm in need. She should talk to a recruiter.

You don't get passed over for partner at a barely top 100 Cleveland firm then move to a DC BigLaw firm as of counsel. It doesn't happen ever, I dare say, especially with no portable business.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I am sorry but you have a total misconception of what the of counsel position is in big law DC. Typically it is for associates who have spent most of their careers in the firm, yet for one reason or another the firm isn’t prepared to make them a partner. Or, it’s for lawyers who join the firm from the government with the expectation that within a couple years you will be considered for partner. Unless you are highly specialized and fill a real void for a particular firm, these jobs are not normally available to senior associates from Cleveland law firms who have no business and were “given the talk.” You’re dreaming.

This depends heavily on the firm and specialty.

Yes, but this is generally the case for DC firms. OP needs to bring in some kind of DC-centric specialty/niche to really get in as "Of Counsel". Depending on experience, I'd recommend OP to look into in-house jobs as well.

For the top-rated mega-firms, yes. But there are a ton of “smaller” (<250 attorneys) and boutique firms that can provide better opportunities for someone who isn’t on the traditional associate-to-partner up-or-out pipeline,

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rude much? Maybe OP was given the talk because her barely top 100 firm isn’t doing very well. Or maybe it’s because all the male partners don’t see women as viable candidates. Or for some other reason unrelated to her skills. She may have something to offer a firm in need. She should talk to a recruiter.

You don't get passed over for partner at a barely top 100 Cleveland firm then move to a DC BigLaw firm as of counsel. It doesn't happen ever, I dare say, especially with no portable business.

You do realize that “of counsel” doesn’t mean the same thing at every firm, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rude much? Maybe OP was given the talk because her barely top 100 firm isn’t doing very well. Or maybe it’s because all the male partners don’t see women as viable candidates. Or for some other reason unrelated to her skills. She may have something to offer a firm in need. She should talk to a recruiter.

You don't get passed over for partner at a barely top 100 Cleveland firm then move to a DC BigLaw firm as of counsel. It doesn't happen ever, I dare say, especially with no portable business.

You do realize that “of counsel” doesn’t mean the same thing at every firm, right?

We're not talking about "every firm." OP specifically asked about BigLaw DC of counsel. Ain't gonna happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: I am sorry but you have a total misconception of what the of counsel position is in big law DC. Typically it is for associates who have spent most of their careers in the firm, yet for one reason or another the firm isn’t prepared to make them a partner. Or, it’s for lawyers who join the firm from the government with the expectation that within a couple years you will be considered for partner. Unless you are highly specialized and fill a real void for a particular firm, these jobs are not normally available to senior associates from Cleveland law firms who have no business and were “given the talk.” You’re dreaming.

Sadly all true. Occasionally someone from government but they have to have a marketable portfolio.