<p>Are the salaries of BIGLAW associates the same regardless of which city one works in? For example, do the associates in Orange County make the same as those in SF/NYC? Im from Orange County so I would love to be able to go back once I graduate law school (Im aiming for a T5--I have a 3.95/171). Are the jobs in the smaller legal markets like OC more difficult to get than those in the larger ones like LA/NYC?</p>
<p>Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>Quick answer - no, salaries are not the same from city to city even at the same firm.</p>
<p>I don't know the answer to your second question, but generally the salary tends to be the same in all of the major cities, going down in the areas where the COL is very low.</p>
<p>Take for example DLA Piper, a very large firm, whose salaries are the same in the majority of the country's cities (70%).</p>
<p>DLA</a> Piper US Careers | Working At DLA Piper | Evaluation Process and Compensation</p>
<p>Nick, thanks for the link...do you know if DLA Piper is unique in this respect or is it fairly common for firms to pay about the same salary regardless of location?</p>
<p>Sally, like Nick mentioned, I understand that salaries differ slightly depending on the COL. However, based on your experience, do salaries within the same firm differ even if the COL is very similar (i.e. OC/LA/SF have very similar COL, so would you expect the salaries to be similar?)</p>
<p>Thanks guys!</p>
<p>DLA Piper also released this statement to its attorneys and staff last week:</p>
<p>
[quote]
DLA PIPER -- STATEMENT -- LAYOFFS</p>
<p>In light of the deepening economic downturn over the last number of months, we have carefully considered and reduced expenses across virtually all of our operations. While we had hoped for a rebound in economic activity, we believe that a major improvement in 2009 is increasingly unlikely. We value all of our people and are very grateful for their contributions to the firm, and we have worked hard to consider and employ every reasonable measure to avoid lawyer and staff reductions. Our business model factors in some normal attrition in a healthy economic climate, but we have not seen that in this deteriorating economic environment. Given this, and overall market conditions, we have concluded with deep regret that we must reduce our ranks by approximately 80 associates and 100 staff in the U.S.. </p>
<p>Our practice group leaders, office managing partners and senior administrative staff are meeting today with those directly affected to discuss the details of this decision. The firm will provide severance benefits, outplacement counseling and other resources to support their transition. We are making this announcement in order to make it clear that this reduction is based on the economic climate and does not reflect on the performance of those affected. </p>
<p>While we cannot predict the future with any certainty, we believe that this reduction will adjust staffing levels to match our current and anticipated workflow for the balance of the year, and allow the firm to ultimately emerge from the downturn in a strong competitive position. </p>
<p>We will be holding town hall meetings in each office on Friday to provide each of you with an opportunity to hear directly about these developments, and you will receive notification of time and place shortly. Your understanding, support and consideration for your colleagues as we move through this will be vital. Please take time to attend the town hall meeting in your office.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Many firms are firing attorneys (including first years, as was the case at DLA Piper, who have no experience and little chance of finding alternative legal employment), freezing salaries, taking associates off of lockstep compensation and suspending bonuses. Even firms that once had similar salaries across offices are now changing that model. The only thing that is certain is that any policies that have existed to date at BIGLAW firms in terms of compensation and job security have now gone out the window.</p>
<p>Sallyawp: We have received marketing letters from our Biglaw firms, letting us know that they are working to be as cost-efficient as possible and also have frozen salaries at last year's rate to help their valued clients. I imagine the Merger & Acquisition and IP lawyers are having a slow time these days, as companies cut back on capital spending, research & development and other discretionary spending. </p>
<p>On the other hand, labor lawyers may be having their best opportunities in years, advising on the changes being implemented by the Obama administration. Energy lawyers may also not be too worried about work right now. Bankrupcy and debt restructuring guys are probably busy too. There are obviously cycles in types of practices too.</p>
<p>NZ, the letters that you have received from law firms are fairly common. Many companies are also demanding additional percentage cuts in fees from firms those companies use often. This will hurt the bottom line at these firms.</p>
<p>While some areas of practice are slow and others are busier, unfortunately for many law firms, the areas that are slow are typically some of the highest revenue-producing areas for the firm. For example, when M&A is busy, attorneys are working 7 days a week, literally 24 hours a day. Labor lawyers, for example, rarely bill those kinds of hours. "Busy" is a different thing for an M&A lawyer than it is for many other types of lawyers. Moreover, the effect is that may BIGLAW firms likely won't be doing too well this year, and we can anticipate many more layoffs at law firms in the not-too-distant future.</p>
<p>SallyAwp - I agree. And what's even more frightening to the parent of a kid who is excited about going to a 3T school next year, even our insurance defense firms are laying off associates and support staff (partners are working the smaller cases themselves). </p>
<p>On the corporate side, our lawyers are all nervous that declining revenues may result in reductions in force across all functions, including legal. We obviously don't see any hiring in the forseeable future.</p>
<p>I can't begin to imagine how this is affecting the legal recruiting business right now.</p>
<p>Layoffs are rampant in BigLaw right now. Check out the abovethelaw.com website and you'll see how bad.</p>
<p>Recruiting is a nightmare this year.</p>