I'd ask for a raise. Even though they like to think they are, law firms are not exempt from the normal rules of employer-employee relations. A high-performing, valued employee should not go 3 years without a raise.

I'm surprised that your work is only billed at $ 135 per hour. You seem to be very skilled, so the value of your work is higher in my opinion.

Anonymous wrote:I work for big law and they start associates here at $170,00 minimum. That said, they also bill 200+ every month. So essentially you are not that underpaid if you look at the fact that you work half of those hours. Just decide what is important to you. Is having flexibility and time with your kids while they are young more important than maybe an extra 10 grand? Flexibility is hard to find.

But she has been there 3 years, so what do 3rd year associates make? I bet half that is a lot more than $75k, for half the hours but a lot of independent responsibility.

Anyway, OP, have they increased your billing rate at all? Seems like with your experience you could be billing at $150 to $250, if the client base can support that. Then you'd be bringing in more and could ask for more.

I'm in basically the same position, making $80k base, and billing about 120-130 per month. If you have flexibility (which I don't), it is probably about the right salary. Do you get bonuses? Would you consider going out on your own in few years since you are fairly independent now?

Anonymous wrote:I think you're paid well for the value you bring. Asking for a raise in a small firm could destabilize your relationship with your firm. Think about if the tables were turned. On the out you're bringing in, not much, the partners likely have to float capital contributions to make payroll and rent on some months. You have a guaranteed salary. I'd focus on business generation and getting the collections up first to over 200 to 300k first.

good point... my father was the sr. partner in his firm, the largest in its county in NJ (15-22 lawyers)... he said to me more than once he didn't understand associates' fixation to be partners since some months the partners got paid less than the associates, who always had to be paid (see your examples)...

he did very well in the long run but I can remember a time when he said they didn't have money to pay the admin. staff the next week (when they were early in the partnership).... so bumping up the hours/business/collections would be a great foundation to open the door for the raise conversation.

I would add can't they replace you with someone they pay 55k?

I think you're paid well for the value you bring. Asking for a raise in a small firm could destabilize your relationship with your firm. Think about if the tables were turned. On the out you're bringing in, not much, the partners likely have to float capital contributions to make payroll and rent on some months. You have a guaranteed salary. I'd focus on business generation and getting the collections up first to over 200 to 300k first.

Anonymous wrote:Ask. All they can do is say no.

Exactly. Don't do it in a threatening way, since the job market sucks and you have great hours. But you owe it to yourself to ask.