Salary & Benefits

The Career Services Office conducts an annual employment and salary survey of new graduates. We have general salary information that may assist you in the negotiation process.  

• Many candidates make the mistake of discussing salary too early in the interviewing process. If an employer asks you for salary expectations during the initial interview phase, defer the question to later in the process. Employers are typically trying to hire a new lawyer for the least amount of money, and you are trying to negotiate for the highest salary possible.
• Before you accept an offer, make sure that you have as clear as possible an understanding of what you will be doing, and what the expectations will be. If possible, set up an appointment to see a young associate in the office after you have been given an offer, and ask questions about the working environment and the expectations for billing hours. Seek information through the "grapevine" about working conditions, either through our office, faculty, friends and classmates. We can generally refer you to someone who has information about the firm. No job ever looks better than the day before you accept! The more realistic picture that you can get of work conditions, the greater the chance that you will be satisfied with your job choice.
• Remember also, that benefit provision can have a significant impact on the entire compensation package. At the time of an offer (and not before) you will want to ask the entire range of questions about benefits.

Benefits may include:

Health, life, dental, disability, malpractice insurance
Insurance for dependents
Sick leave
Vacation
Personal leave/personal days
Educational leave
Educational cost reimbursement for coursework related to the job, or not related to the job
Maternity and/or parental leave
Health leave to care for dependents
Bonuses system or profit sharing
Stock options
Expense accounts or client entertaining
Dues to professional associations
Travel reimbursement
Fee sharing arrangements for clients the employee generates
Organizational memberships
Parking
Automobile allowance
Relocation costs
Sabbaticals
Professional conference costs/time to attend professional meetings
Time allowed for community service
Flextime work schedules
Fitness center memberships

This is your opportunity to think of negotiating on behalf of your first client. If you cannot or are unwilling to negotiate on your own behalf, how will you be able to negotiate for your clients? You can always back off from your original salary request, and you can be sure that if your initial offer is accepted, you have not asked for enough! Although your "lifestyle" needs are not a concern of the employer, remember that you will probably have loans to pay back, and an extra several thousand dollars may make a difference to you concerning whether or not you can enjoy your leisure time.