- Quickdraw McLaw
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This is the 2001st post since this little blog came into existence over 9 years ago. Those previous 2000 posts were enhanced by the 51,810 comments (not counting all the spam ones we had to delete) made by those of you who made over 5,332,793 site visits. We want to thank all of you that have read, commented, and otherwise contributed to the cause. We know the blog gets tedious from time to time and we know some of you are sick of the political commentary, so here’s your friendly reminder that you can help us out by submitting suggestions, news, rumors, etc. to keep it interesting. If you have an idea for how to make things better, let us know. And if you have any ideas for what to talk about today, have at it in the comments because this is all we’ve got!
Blog is alive.
Yes, and thank you blog master for gifting us this blog community.
https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/suit-alleges-vegas-police-violated-constitutional-rights-in-handcuffing-frisking-all-black-attendees-at-party-labeling-it-gang-event
Who pays the most at PI firms? What's the normal structure? Bonuses?
With very few exceptions, PI firms don't pay all that much unless you can either (1) generate cases, or (2) litigate and try cases at a very high level.
And if you can do either or both of those things, why wouldn't you just open your own office?
What 1:43 said. You really only work at a PI firm to cut your teeth. In reality, you'd be better off grinding at a defense firm for a couple years, then going to PI, and then quickly opening your own shop. The best PI attorneys usually have defense background because that's where you learn how to litigate. With some exceptions, most PI firms make their money churning and settling cases in pre-lit. It's mind numbing and you won't make money unless you're the boss.
Having been affiliated in one way or another with a couple of different plaintiff PI firms over the years, the money made by younger associates is not all that great. Salary around $70-90k plus some kind of bonus structure that might bring you up to 120-ish.
I was surprised that there was little or no commentary on the post a few days back about Utah's "regulatory sandbox" to address access to justice (translation: expense) issues.
I think there needs to be some serious discussion on many of these issues, but I admit I'm fearful that if it is not done well, the likes of Google or Amazon etc. will be able to move into the market and essentially crush the solos and small firms.
Or maybe I'm wrong. Maybe they would crush the big firms, and solos and small firms would benefit from a partnership with a tech behemoth similar to how at least some sellers on Amazon marketplace do rather well.
I practice primarily civil litigation, and by far the biggest cost is related to discovery. I don't see that changing no matter what they do with many of these proposals. Or perhaps I'm wrong there too. Perhaps opening the door a bit to allow non-lawyers and/or tech companies to handle many aspects of discovery would in fact drive the cost down.
I can see it both ways,, but I would hope there is an opportunity here that having non-lawyers/tech companies could hopefully drive e-discovery costs down because they are can be eye popping.
Yes, the dame person posted over 51k comments.
Same
More surveys of salaries, benefits, working conditions at firms in Clark County please. Give me news I can use. Thanks.
I'm here for the gossip.
I heard that about you, everyone's talking about it.
I too am hear for the gossip. Lately this blog has been super boring and I can't figure out if there is less gossip or no one is posting gossip.
My theory is a lot of power posters were busy with WWW
I suspect a lot of people are still working from home, so they are not as connected to intraoffice politics / gossip.
If they would stop deleting my posts, you guys could have a chuckle or two.
PC culture is killing America
Different firms have different set ups. Rick Harris does straight commission with draws. Some have salary plus a percentage. Some smaller shops are eat what you kill.
Is it just me, or does "Rick Harris does straight commission with draws" read like a kinky ad in the personals (or Craig's List for you millennials)?
Rick Harris pays his lawyers 25% of the fee off the top, if they refer the case, plus a commission on the net balance of the fee.
1:22–Are the commissions, for his associates, based on a percentage of the attorney fees once a case settles?
And if so, to qualify for the commission is it necessary that the associate brought the case into the firm, or only that the associate is the one who worked the case?
I've seen PI firms that limit the commissions to a percentage of the attorney fees generated on cases the associate brought into the firm, but no commission on cases the associate worked on but did not bring into the firm.
The inherent unfairness with such approach is that the associates, with a PI firm, tend to be young, not too experienced, and without a very impressive salary compared to young attorneys who go into other field(or even into the defense aspect of PI).
And what all that means is the young attorney is not yet a rain maker to any extent and will not be able to generate much in terms of referrals directly to him/her.
I knew a young associate who was in the situation where he could get commissions once a case settled, but only if he generated the case. And he finally got to a position where he was in fact generating some cases, but they still always had a reason to deny him the commission. Whatever he said, they were ready with a "No" and the supposed rationale to justify the refusal.
Example: a client would be delighted with his performance and would refer their friend, family member or co-worker. And the referral would be directly to the attorney, not just "call this firm."
So, once he also settles the referred case, and they denied him the commission, he would explain that a prior client referred it directly to him due to them being delighted with how he handled their case.
I think you have all figured out the firm's response:"yeah, but the guy who referred it to you was originally a client who came to the firm based on our billboards or television ads. He didn't come specifically for you, even if the guy he later referred did."
You get paid on all cases you work at Rick’s office. This is only for litigation though.
Actually, pre-lit lawyers also get a commission at Rick Harris' office – 5% of the first million in fees generated during the calendar year, 10% of the second million in fees and 15% of fees above $2M. So a pre-lit lawyer bringing in $1.75M in fees would get $125,000 in commission.