
Lawyers earn an impressive salary, but how do you guarantee you’re going to make a lot of money once you graduate law school and pass the bar? That’s simple; you get a job at one of the highest paying law firms in the country. Not all law firms are created equal. Some might pay more to some lawyers, but these five law firms pay the highest starting salary in the country, which is why they have so many job applicants.
Boies Schiller and Flexner — $174,000
This law firm has offices all over the country, as well as the world. They pay their first year lawyers a high starting salary. Additionally, the firm uses a compensation program to help determine which of the lawyers in the firm worked the hardest throughout the year so that those employees receive the highest end of year bonuses.
McKool Smith — $177,500
First year attornies at McKool Smith have a nice compensation package. Their starting salary is $165,000. They also receive a $10,000 signing bonus just for accepting their job and then they receive a year-end bonus of $2500. It’s a nice package for those who want to take on their very first jobs in the law firm.
Williams and Connolly — $180,000
Those who begin their law careers at Williams and Connolly will receive an above-average starting salary. This is largely due to the fact that the law firm does not issue bonus, year-end or signing. However, the starting salary is enough to make first-time lawyers care less.
Desmarais LP — $180,000
This law firm made a decision recently to give raises to all first-year employees. Their starting salary in the past was only $160,000 per year, but now the firm agreed to raise the starting salary to a more acceptable $180,000, making it one of the highest paying law firms in the US.
Bickel and Brewer — $185,000
This Texas law firm pays their new employees a staggering starting salary of $185,000 per year. This is a state that doesn’t have state income tax and the cost of living is beyond reasonable. Believe it or not, the law firm just raised the first year lawyer’s salary $10,000. It was only $175,000 last year.
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