What does a beginning TU Law grad make?

[Rex]

I am a 2nd year law student and intern for a personal injury lawyer.  He makes bank. What does a firts year lawyer make in Tulsa? I mean on average...I know top of the class get the great jobs.  I am just in the middle.

[sgrizzle]

[bluelake]

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

[}:)]

[cannon_fodder]

quote:Originally posted by CazzoRex

I am a 2nd year law student and intern for a personal injury lawyer.  He makes bank. What does a firts year lawyer make in Tulsa? I mean on average...I know top of the class get the great jobs.  I am just in the middle.

Is there some reason you didn't believe me when I PM'd you?

Many start out in the $40's.  That includes the large PI firms in town that I know of as well as many smaller ones and even some "mega" firms. There is a relatively quick up tick and a good bit of firm switching early on, but for most people law in Tulsa is not a get rich quick scheme.

Some of the "better" firms start in the low 50's and aim to have their associates making ~$70K within 5 years.  Expect to hear about "billable hours" and be working weekends.

The elite firms will hirer the top 10%, editor on law journal, ATLA types for $70+K.  Generally, kiss your social life goodbye and lobby for a comfy office chair.

Of your classmates that stay in Tulsa, MOST will start in the 40's and maybe 6 will start over $60K.  Certainly more will start below $40K than above $70K.
- - -

As I explained in my PM... at a PI firm there is not an incentive to pay associates lots of money.  If one decides to leave, the firm won't lose clients and since it is based on contingency fees, they don't have to cut their rates while training a new guy.   A more seasoned attorney can handle the more difficult cases and any actual litigation that arises, but by design most cases are settled far ahead of that so the partner(s) can handle it.

Thus, at a PI firm the partners will (can) make serious money but most of the attorney's will not.  It's all about getting the business in the door.  That's not to say you can't make a good living (several friends make good money at PI firms), but generally not enough to be the big shot attorney your thinking of. And, of course, not all PI attorney's operate this way - it is just generally how I have seen it done.

As a side note, the PI firms I have experience with do not overwork their attorney's.  Fairly low key places as far as I can tell.  Trickle in sometime after 9, off by 4:30 if you want too... leave early on Fridays.  That sort of thing.

I would PM you general salary levels at the firms I know of ... but apperently you won't believe me anyway.  Go ask career services to get a good feel - Vicki is a straight shooter.  Basically, the legal market in Tulsa/OKC is a buyers market.  

This comes from someone who graduated in the top 15% of their TU class recently, was on bar journal, served on various committees for law school, interned for a Federal Judge and several firms.  So I'm not just making stuff up.  

If you want to make "big money" as an attorney in Tulsa, you either need to be connected, at the top of your class, or get it done on your own.  There's money to be made for sure, but don't expect a "get rich quick" card just because you get a law degree.

[TUalum0982]

I am not trying to sound like a smartass or anything but if I were in your shoes, I would just ask around.  Surely you talk to several diff attorney's everyday, get their opinion.  They would know best since it is their field, and they were new attorneys at one point in time as well.  I know it's not PC to ask people about their salary and some people find it taboo or whatnot, but they should understand being you are an intern and trying to find out some info about pay.

[TulsaFan-inTexas]

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

OMG, that's hilarious... []

[Rex]

Thank you Cannon.  I did not get your PM until today. Cox had an area outage. Thank you for all the info.

You are right about PI lawyers' hours. My boss comes in late, leaves early, but still seems to make a ton of money. I mean he basically BS's with clients, adjusters and lawyers all day long! He is opening two out of state offices this year.  The office is like "Animal House."

Anyway, I guess my mind is just boggled from watching him. He's 40, been a lawyer 10 years, and seems to be a whiz at making money.

He told me a lot of PI lawyers don't really make a lot of money, and of those that do fewer hang on to it.  "All flash, no cash." is what he says.  He also said a lot of them have tax problems and don't pay their bills on time. Is that right?

He has given me some good advice about credit cards, student loans and investing. But I think you are right he probably would not pay a lot.

I'm not sure PI is for me, for that matter I am not sure Tulsa is for me. I am thinking about getting an LLM in Health Law.

[BierGarten]

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

quote:Originally posted by CazzoRex

I am a 2nd year law student and intern for a personal injury lawyer.  He makes bank. What does a firts year lawyer make in Tulsa? I mean on average...I know top of the class get the great jobs.  I am just in the middle.

The elite firms will hirer the top 10%, editor on law journal, ATLA types for $70+K.  Generally, kiss your social life goodbye and lobby for a comfy office chair.

You are about four years behind on your "elite firm" figures.  Crowe, Doerner, Hall Estill, Conner and Gable all pay at least $95K to first years.

Also, from my experience, it is the jobs at many "non-elite firms" that you can kiss your social life goodby.  The "elite firms" in Tulsa seem to be very reasonable in terms of work/home life balance from what I know.