Associates Weigh Salary Versus Personal Needs

Despite escalating law firm first year associates salaries, not all firms are following the herd and not all attorneys are jumping at offers with the highest salary, according to a recent article on law.com.

The article noted that some firms are responding to salary increases for first year associates by focusing on hiring laterals with more experience. An example cited is 50-lawyer outfit Hoge, Fenton, Jones & Appel of San Jose, California, that has put its summer associate program on hiatus pending further evaluation, and shifted its recruiting focus to more experienced midlevel associates.

The article also noted that some associates are accepting lower salaries in exchange for intangible personal benefits. An example cited was Daniel Wolk, an associate at 107-lawyer, Sacramento, Calif.-based McDonough, Holland & Allen, who settled for a salary in the high $80,000's for the comfort of being at a firm that is close to his home.

Read the full law.com article here.