Anonymous wrote:But once you are partner its almost impossible to be fired right? That has a lot of value too.

Hahahahaha!

Sigh.

But once you are partner its almost impossible to be fired right? That has a lot of value too.

Oh goodness, no.

These numbers are way too low.

How long does it take to make jr partner? I’m surprised by how low the number is. It doesn’t compare to starting salaries at the accounting firms for partners, but it take you 10 years min to make Partner there.

There are way too many variables to answer this with even a range of possible salary.

How does Sidley Austin compare?

Anonymous wrote:What do you mean by "top"? Do you mean any biglaw firm? Or like, tippy top biglaw firms (W&C, A&P)?

Those firms are absolutely not the top firms for comp. They are historically among the elite DC-centered firms, but firm based in other cities, particularly NY, have taken a major segment of the DC market. I'm not sure I would consider A&P elite at all at this point and W&C is really a different beast from other firms as almost all litigation and only in DC.

Anonymous wrote:It really depends on the firm and what you mean by a "top" firm. It also depends on whether you are taking equity partner or not.

If you are talking about equity partner at a truly top firm, you are talking a good bit higher than what PP's posted and it will outstrip what the person was making as an associate.

It will also depend on the degree to which the partner already has his/her own clients, and to a lesser degree the person's practice area.

Yes. There is a definitely a cash flow issue with the first year, mainly because you have to pre-pay your taxes on money that you won't see for quite some time. That's rough the first year, so you need to make sure you have a cushion and don't spend it before you have it. Also, depending on the firm, the buy-in can be rough or not. Some firms just lend you the money for the buy-in, at basically no interest, so it isn't a big deal. The poiint about clients and practice area are, I think, very firm dependent. Different firms do that very differently -- some don't really follow the eat what you kill model, but have a more communal model that is based on things like hours worked, firm citizenship and other factors in addition to rain-making.

Anonymous wrote:About $350k depending on the firm. Keep in mind you then have to buy in to partnership, pay for your own healthcare and all sorts of other expenses. DH made more as senior associate than as first year partner with all the extras we had to pay for.

This is actually a bit on the low end. I would say closer to $400k-425k.

What do you mean by "top"? Do you mean any biglaw firm? Or like, tippy top biglaw firms (W&C, A&P)?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:About $350k depending on the firm. Keep in mind you then have to buy in to partnership, pay for your own healthcare and all sorts of other expenses. DH made more as senior associate than as first year partner with all the extras we had to pay for.

Yep, us too. Health care is atrociously expensive. Paying both sides of FICA is expensive. Etc etc.

So about 250k?

It really depends on the firm and what you mean by a "top" firm. It also depends on whether you are taking equity partner or not.

If you are talking about equity partner at a truly top firm, you are talking a good bit higher than what PP's posted and it will outstrip what the person was making as an associate.

It will also depend on the degree to which the partner already has his/her own clients, and to a lesser degree the person's practice area.

Anonymous wrote:About $350k depending on the firm. Keep in mind you then have to buy in to partnership, pay for your own healthcare and all sorts of other expenses. DH made more as senior associate than as first year partner with all the extras we had to pay for.

Yep, us too. Health care is atrociously expensive. Paying both sides of FICA is expensive. Etc etc.

About $350k depending on the firm. Keep in mind you then have to buy in to partnership, pay for your own healthcare and all sorts of other expenses. DH made more as senior associate than as first year partner with all the extras we had to pay for.

Curious.