A Little Something Extra

  • Law

With only a week until Thanksgiving and 36 days until Christmas, one thing is (un)certain for many lawyers this time of year: BONUSES and RAISES! Although some of you may have already found out what kind of bonus and/or raise you’re getting this year, for many of us, that day is just around the corner and the anticipation is nearly unbearable. Here’s your chance to weigh in with your expectations about what kind of holiday season you may be having this year. Has Covid changed your expectations? Do you believe that if you don’t get a 5% raise due to inflation, you’re taking a pay cut? Did salary bumps in NYC have any impact on your salary here? How about the worker shortage–are you seeing the bonus as a retention tool? Any firms paying in bitcoin, vacation, or parking? What other factors are playing a role this year? 

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Anonymous
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Anonymous
November 18, 2021 7:04 pm

I made $100,000 in origination bonuses this year. I'll probably get a $3-$5k Christmas bonus. I am of very average intellect. This feels very bonkers to me.

Anonymous
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Anonymous
November 18, 2021 10:25 pm
Reply to  Anonymous

How did the origination work? What is the norm for origination bonuses/credit at firms?

Anonymous
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Anonymous
November 18, 2021 11:45 pm
Reply to  Anonymous

In addition to my base salary, I get 20% of everything collected on what I originate, whether I work on it or not. I have no idea if this is normal or not.

Anonymous
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Anonymous
November 19, 2021 12:04 am
Reply to  Anonymous

Do you do PI plaintiff's work?

Anonymous
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Anonymous
November 19, 2021 2:20 am
Reply to  Anonymous

You may have an average intellect, but most likely you have "the look." I am willing to bet your are tall (at least 6 feet), have a full, neatly cropped head of hair, are on the better side in the appearance department, have a voice that is not abrasive, and are a white male.

Anonymous
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Anonymous
November 19, 2021 3:56 am
Reply to  Anonymous

@6:20 – OP here. I'm actually a 4' 11'' Asian female. I'm semi-attractive. I like to say I'm body positive.

Anonymous
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Anonymous
November 19, 2021 5:13 am
Reply to  Anonymous

Hey girl

Anonymous
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Anonymous
November 19, 2021 5:24 am
Reply to  Anonymous

@6:20p – Wow. And you call 6ft tall white males prejudiced? You just insulted every woman, every person of color, every trans person who isn't 6ft tall white and pseudo-attractive with a non-abrasive voice, and just about everyone from non-germanic countries everywhere by outright saying that they did not have the ability to generate $400k in business for a law firm and got your a$$ handed to you by the OP. How does it feel? Kinda feels like what people think I say on a regular basis but I don't (btw: me = a 6ft, white male, non-abrasive voice, average appearance, funny, and might I add, very humble.)

Anonymous
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Anonymous
November 19, 2021 4:47 pm
Reply to  Anonymous

Man that's brutal. The woke racist 6:20 got owned – and the burn feels so good. Not everything is about "white cis men and their oppressive ways" Karen. OP – way to go!!! Get that bag.

Anonymous
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Anonymous
November 19, 2021 8:32 pm
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Anonymous
Guest
Anonymous
November 18, 2021 7:33 pm

The firm I work at does not do Christmas bonuses. However, my employer is no Scrooge.

Anonymous
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Anonymous
November 19, 2021 1:22 am
Reply to  Anonymous

This. I never understood the carrot dangling of the end of year raise. Just pay me and let's do some work. Sure, if there's extra at the end of a good year you should divvy it out, but as Clark Griswold said, when people count on them as part of their salary, people just bake it in anyway.

Anonymous
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Anonymous
November 19, 2021 1:23 am
Reply to  Anonymous

*end of year bonus.

Anonymous
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Anonymous
November 18, 2021 7:42 pm

I will get no bonus this year or any year. My employer is an ass. Also, I work for myself.

Anonymous
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Anonymous
November 23, 2021 6:49 pm
Reply to  Anonymous

This!

Anonymous
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Anonymous
November 18, 2021 8:40 pm

Many larger firms are issuing bonuses/raises in early-to-mid December. I'd be interested in seeing this topic revisited in mid-December, if possible.

Anonymous
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Anonymous
November 18, 2021 9:31 pm

Is it me, or does it seem like no one is working this week except me?

Anonymous
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Anonymous
November 18, 2021 11:43 pm

@1:31, I was just thinking about how lazy you are and hardly ever work

Anonymous
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Anonymous
November 18, 2021 11:50 pm
Reply to  Anonymous

Cute, you single?

Anonymous
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Anonymous
November 19, 2021 12:41 am

Unrelated question, who do you recommend for a tricky service issue? Someone will likely have to stake a person out or get into a very fancy neighborhood. Anyone have a service ninja they recommend?

Anonymous
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Anonymous
November 19, 2021 2:48 am
Reply to  Anonymous

If it is guard gated you can simply serve the guard gate if they refuse to let you. I think it is nrs 14

Anonymous
Guest
Anonymous
November 19, 2021 4:01 pm

My firm doesn't do bonuses, but I have to say that I'm impressed with how hot the lawyer labor market is. Fox Rothschild joined other big firms and pays Vegas first years 160K, and clark hill is hiring. Staggering to see how much these firms are paying. Good for lawyer compensation!

Anonymous
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Anonymous
November 19, 2021 5:15 pm
Reply to  Anonymous

Yeah…I was hoping to do some hiring, mabye a paralegal but many listings are offering 50k, 60k, a year or more. For a paralegal. FFFFFUUUUUUUUUUU…………………

Anonymous
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Anonymous
November 19, 2021 6:42 pm
Reply to  Anonymous

Fox requires you inject an unproven and controversial experimental serum into your body to work there. Not worth it.

A good paralegal is worth more than a decent attorney. For certain areas of practice, you literally cannot operate without a core team of highly competent paralegals. Attorneys are a dime a dozen. Paralegals are gold.

Anonymous
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Anonymous
November 19, 2021 8:58 pm
Reply to  Anonymous

Paralegal here. With bonuses (quarterly and annual), I will make around $103k this year.

Anonymous
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Anonymous
November 19, 2021 4:50 pm

I don't think my employer is giving much, if any bonus this year. I posted yesterday that he isn't paying for CLE's. Now, I'm concerned that he will stop paying bar dues. Although it's time to dust off my resume, should I worry about job hopping? Been at current firm less than 18 months.

Anonymous
Guest
Anonymous
November 19, 2021 4:53 pm

My bosses fired me, but when I pointed out that they are going to pay me for the next year regardless, they decided to unfire me. Do I go back to work, or do I collect my salary and tell them to stick it?

Asking for a friend.

Anonymous
Guest
Anonymous
November 19, 2021 5:19 pm
Reply to  Anonymous

This is the Jesus Jara question. The school board voted to unfire him once they realized they would have to fulfill his contract AND fill his position. Jara made a demand for an additional $2million. I learned long ago not to stay where I was not wanted regardless of they type of relationship.

Anonymous
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Anonymous
November 19, 2021 8:40 pm
Reply to  Anonymous

What can I say? Jesus is a friend of mine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-NOZU2iPA8