how much does the avg lawyer make?

[superman]

ive heard mixed things, i know some idiots that have become laywers and id like to think at 27 they arent making more than 100K?

i know some that make 200K, but whats the average?

 

[scrooge]

What kind of question is this?

Depends on a bunch of things including years of experience, type of law practised, whether practising "in-house", city where law is practised...

 

[fuji]

About $1 per case, from what I can see on TV!

 

[King Midas]

You'd get a better response -

- if you posted on lawbuzz.ca.

 

[Doctor Zoidburg]

A lawyer starting out makes $80K/yr, legal aid lawyers starting out make $55-60 per yr. starting out. The average lawyer working for a law firm can make $120k. to $180k. If a lawyer has some experience and you can see triangular razor sharp teeth in his mouth he could make $200k. to $400k. ( usualy they also have a large black fin on their back ) per yr. If he is wearing a hocket goalies mask and holding a chain saw ready to cut your heart out, then he can make $400k. to $800k. per year. The ones that wear a black robe with a hood covering their face and holding a scickle make millions.

 

[tired old perv]

They make way too much, for what little use they are to society.

Just look at any government, and most of them are lawyers, and looked how screwed up everything is.

I'd love to see any white collar clown work a real job for a week and then they'd realize what hard work is all about.

 

[RTRD]

Conversely...

They make way too much, for what little use they are to society.

Just look at any government, and most of them are lawyers, and looked how screwed up everything is.

I'd love to see any white collar clown work a real job for a week and then they'd realize what hard work is all about.

...I;d like to see any blue collar idiot work a job that called for the use of more than his back, and see if he'd last a day.

I've done both. I grew up VERY working class, and have done it all from bus tables to janitorial work to wash / scrub school buses (you haven't done back breaking work until you've had to scrub school buses for a living). I WISH I could make the kind of money I do know with just "hard work", and spare myself the politics, etc.

There is a reason why "white collar clowns" make more than "blue collar idiots"..."white collar clowns" don't WANT to do what "blue collar idiots" do...but could with the proper training. "Blue collar idiots" CANNOT do what "white collar clowns" do....else they'd be doing and avoiding all that "hard work" while making more money...

Envy much?

 

[chrispalen]

A lawyer starting out makes $80K/yr, legal aid lawyers starting out make $55-60 per yr. starting out. The average lawyer working for a law firm can make $120k. to $180k. If a lawyer has some experience and you can see triangular razor sharp teeth in his mouth he could make $200k. to $400k. ( usualy they also have a large black fin on their back ) per yr. If he is wearing a hocket goalies mask and holding a chain saw ready to cut your heart out, then he can make $400k. to $800k. per year. The ones that wear a black robe with a hood covering their face and holding a scickle make millions.

Ha, ha, ha. This is a really good and funny one and describes a wide spectrum of the profession.

Johnny C, the lawyer that got OJ off from the murder charges made god knows how many millions. Then there are those that are in jail, serving time for breaking the law.

CP

 

[RTRD]

I cannot honestly speak for Canada...

ive heard mixed things, i know some idiots that have become laywers and id like to think at 27 they arent making more than 100K?

i know some that make 200K, but whats the average?

...but I suspect it is the same or similar...to which the strict answer to your question is...not much.

There is a glut of lawyers. You can assume only the top half of any graduating class from any law school actually get jobs at all (versus, say engineers, where you'd have to be some kinda moron to not land a job with an engineering degree). Among those who get jobs...only the top 25% (so by extension, the top 15% or so overall), land "good" job...jobs with name brand firms, good salaries, etc. Most lawyers either end up using their law degree for something related to law but not actually as a lawyer (I've had a few work for me) or at total back ally type firms. drive down any street with lots of store fronts and business shingles hanging. You will see LOTS of signs for lawyers...and remember, the guy whose name is on the marque is the guy who owns the firm. Most law school grads end up working some place like that...and not making very good money.

Amongst those who do end up at a decent firm...they make decent money...but they get worked TO DEATH. Until you make senior associate, you can assume your life at any law firm of size or relevance is going to be hell...60 to 80 weeks...EVERY week. What is decent money? Well...One of my people left me / my company when she FINALLY landed a gig at a firm...a fairly prestigious one as small suburban firms go...and I seem to recall her saying she was going to be making about 50K a year...and that was at this point about 10 years ago, and so it is probably higher now.

Now...all that said...if you graduate near the top of your class...from a top flight school...and are recruited by top tier firms...you can expect multiple offers in excess of 100K a year out of law school, along with TONS of perks (car, club membership, etc.). And if you are really hot shit...top 1% of grads every year...that number can be in excess of 150K. But you will still be worked to death and earn every fucking penny of it.

What do experienced lawyers make? Again...it varies...the guy who has a store front practice and is mostly an ambulance chaser probably considers it a good year if he clears 150K after expenses. If you are a partner at a top tier Bay street firm...my GF's brother is partner at one of the 3 largest firms in Canada...like most Canadians he is a modest kinda guy...but I've been to his house...very nice...his wine cellar...very nice...no fancy car (nice, but not fancy), but he and his wife do the big time vacation every year...4 weeks someplace expensive and exotic. He has original art work from some famous Canadian artist whose name I do not recall hanging in his house...they had it appraised for insurance...he wouldn't tell me and my GF how much the appraisal came to, but when she asked "six figures?" he replied..."ummm...well...yeah".

He probably does about 500,000 a year I'd guess.

Now...there is anothr guy at my gym who pretty much practices on his own...with a staff of people to support him...in other words he is pretty much a firm of 1...he drives a S600 Benz....vacations at OUTRAGEOUSLY expensive spots twice a year...is on a few of those hooty snooty boards that you can join if you know the right person and make an appropriate donation...my buddy (my trainer) has been to his house...says it rocks...I am guessing...just a guess...that this guy clears probably a million a year. it it isn't like you would have heard of him if you were outside the law community.

Superstar lawyers of the Johnnie Cochran ilk (or Fiona Shackleton, sir Paul's lawyer...or those Celleno and Barnes guys whose commercials you see non stop)....millions...maybe tens of millions.

 

[tired old perv]

...I;d like to see any blue collar idiot work a job that called for the use of more than his back, and see if he'd last a day.

I've done both. I grew up VERY working class, and have done it all from bus tables to janitorial work to wash / scrub school buses (you haven't done back breaking work until you've had to scrub school buses for a living). I WISH I could make the kind of money I do know with just "hard work", and spare myself the politics, etc.

There is a reason why "white collar clowns" make more than "blue collar idiots"..."white collar clowns" don't WANT to do what "blue collar idiots" do...but could with the proper training. "blue collar idiots" CANNOT do what "white collar clowns" do....else they'd be doing and avoiding all that "hard work" while making more money...

Envy much?

Why would be envious of snobs like you? You live in a concrete jungle, sit in traffic jams daily, pay way to much for everything to be where the action is, rip off the average working class that is the backbone of this country, pass stupid laws, whine about pollution and how we need to save the planet, have to go to a gym, cause thats the only exercise you'll ever get, etc etc

No.....I LMAO when I see suits in an expensive sports car that they can afford but can't drive.

You white collar clowns may be book smart, but I have met more then enough of you to realize you lack at life skills.

 

[scrooge]

Why would be envious of snobs like you? You live in a concrete jungle, sit in traffic jams daily, pay way to much for everything to be where the action is, rip off the average working class that is the backbone of this country, pass stupid laws, whine about pollution and how we need to save the planet, have to go to a gym, cause thats the only exercise you'll ever get, etc etc

No.....I LMAO when I see suits in an expensive sports car that they can afford but can't drive.

You white collar clowns may be book smart, but I have met more then enough of you to realize you lack at life skills.

You have it so wrong. I am not even going to address your "personal attacks" towards lawyers/MLAM. It is just wrong and too low to attack anyone or any profession.

Lawyers do not have to sit in traffic jams daily. The work (research/documents) can be done remotely from home. On the other hand, blue collar workers have to drive their way to work.

The average working class may be entitled to Legal Aid, if they do not want to pay the fees. Why should lawyers not be remunerated well? After all, they went to school for a lot longer than the blue collar workers.

Lawyers do not pass (stupid) laws. Members of parliament propose laws in the form of bills which must be passed at both the House of Commons and the Senate. Not all members of both are lawyers.

By the way, lawyers work harder than blue collar workers. Blue collar workers do not put in 60-80 hour weeks every week of the year.

As a final point, what do you mean lawyers contribute little to society? Do you realize the interpretation of the Charter by way of court cases argued by lawyers and decided by lawyers basically forms everyone's life in Canada?

 

[oldjones]

Lawyers are a pretty much the garbagemen of the other end of the food chain aren't they. Not so much the sharks DrZ described, but the parasitic pilot fish that snatch the scraps that fall from the mouths of the real sharks.

But when we're searching for metaphors, let's not forget the carrion-eaters.

 

[squash500]

Senior partners at some of the top Canadian law firms can easily make upwards of one million per year plus also have an equity stake in the firm. Some partners are not expected to do that much work but are expected to bring some big name clients to the mix.

On the other hand, lawyers who work for legal aid might make 50-60k per year. Also, a lot of lawyers don't wind up getting jobs or use their LLB to pursue some other occupation.

 

[maurice93]

Why would be envious of snobs like you? You live in a concrete jungle, sit in traffic jams daily, pay way to much for everything to be where the action is, rip off the average working class that is the backbone of this country, pass stupid laws, whine about pollution and how we need to save the planet, have to go to a gym, cause thats the only exercise you'll ever get, etc etc

No.....I LMAO when I see suits in an expensive sports car that they can afford but can't drive.

You white collar clowns may be book smart, but I have met more then enough of you to realize you lack at life skills.

Interesting that you talk about life skills.

 

[tired old perv]

They get paid whether they win or lose a case.

And if you think blue collar people don't work hard, just think about the farmer that is responsible for the food your eating. He probably worked harder then anyone, at a very low profit, and a high risk of injury or death.

And they have to know how to be a mechanic, weatherman, plumber, carpenter, electrican, millwright, equipment operator, marketer, book keeper.

I've sat in a courtroom and observed what goes on there. Its just a game for all involved. Your right there in court in front of a judge, but have to set a date to come back and set a date for a trail. Its just a way to milk money out of people and the system.

 

[chrispalen]

Senior partners at some of the top Canadian law firms can easily make upwards of one million per year plus also have an equity stake in the firm. Some partners are not expected to do that much work but are expected to bring some big name clients to the mix.

On the other hand, lawyers who work for legal aid might make 50-60k per year. Also, a lot of lawyers don't wind up getting jobs or use their LLB to pursue some other occupation.

A lot of them ended up working for the governments or enter politics and run for offices.

CP

 

[maurice93]

They get paid whether they win or lose a case.

And if you think blue collar people don't work hard, just think about the farmer that is responsible for the food your eating. He probably worked harder then anyone, at a very low profit, and a high risk of injury or death.

And they have to know how to be a mechanic, weatherman, plumber, carpenter, electrican, millwright, equipment operator, marketer, book keeper.

I've sat in a courtroom and observed what goes on there. Its just a game for all involved. Your right there in court in front of a judge, but have to set a date to come back and set a date for a trail. Its just a way to milk money out of people and the system.

Do you actually think most lawyers hang out in courtrooms and do cases.

 

[big dogie]

I was accepted to Osgood Hall and I passed on the opportunity as I was working at a law firm, and I found that I would just have to sell away my conscience to be a lawyer. They take cases that they know they will never be successful in, they hold their clients in contempt and belittle them behind there backs. I am sure that all lawyers do not act like this it is just most of them.....

b d

 

[blopar]

So, I suppose...

Lawyer = just talking, easy work, it's all a scam, anyone can do it.

Doctor = Don't really know what they are doing, just guessing what is wrong with you, and get to play golf on Wednesdays.

Accountant = boring work, just numbers, and no social skills or contribution to society

Investoment bankers = just a bunch of backslapping self-interested boys, easy work, insider traders, and anyone can do it.

CEO = just sit in corner office, have others do the work, anyone could do it.

PM = just smile and yap, tell lies, don't change anything, take care of your friends, get a high paying job after you quit.

 

[tired old perv]

I was accepted to Osgood Hall and I passed on the opportunity as I was working at a law firm, and I found that I would just have to sell away my conscience to be a lawyer. They take cases that they know they will never be successful in, they hold their clients in contempt and belittle them behind there backs. I am sure that all lawyers do not act like this it is just most of them.....

b d

Refreshing to see somebody with a soul!