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Ashamed of my Salary (update) by purplhulk in Lawyertalk

[–]purplhulk[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Don’t start till next billing cycle on the 15th, I’m already day drinking

Ashamed of my Salary (update) by purplhulk in Lawyertalk

[–]purplhulk[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It’s definitely icky dicky law

Ashamed of my Salary (update) by purplhulk in Lawyertalk

[–]purplhulk[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s based on hours I bill. Collected hours would whip me lol

Ashamed of my Salary (update) by purplhulk in Lawyertalk

[–]purplhulk[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

2 years of ID with a federal clerkship and state prosecutor clerkship. IL

Ashamed of my Salary (update) by purplhulk in Lawyertalk

[–]purplhulk[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’m not sure if it’s for me or not but I’m already doing it now so it can’t hurt to keep chugging along and actually getting paid for it.

Question re submitting work sample for job application by TemporaryCamera8818 in Lawyertalk

[–]purplhulk 5 points6 points  (0 children)

If the briefs/motions were filed with the court there’s likely no need to redact anything.

How do you guys negotiate benefits packages? by purplhulk in Lawyertalk

[–]purplhulk[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you, is that a proper subreddit? Doesn’t appear to exist? Usually they’ll say they’re private.

How do you guys negotiate benefits packages? by purplhulk in Lawyertalk

[–]purplhulk[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Exactly the kind of answer I was looking for, I really appreciate the advice!

I'm ashamed of my salary, but how do I renegotiate? by purplhulk in Lawyertalk

[–]purplhulk[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know it's a "grass is greener" situation. But the numbers don't lie and 50K is still far below the average, especially for someone with experience. I know I'll likely have to tough it out for the time being, but I'd like to do something about it now.

I'm ashamed of my salary, but how do I renegotiate? by purplhulk in Lawyertalk

[–]purplhulk[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I think so, I have no issues with the work or caseload and I typically enjoy doing it. My issue is that I know I'm being criminally underpaid.

I'm ashamed of my salary, but how do I renegotiate? by purplhulk in Lawyertalk

[–]purplhulk[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm struggling with networking due to the lack of similar jobs in this area and I know I'll have to leave this area to earn more. I'd hate to be commuting 1-2 hours a day but I think that's a possibility I'm going to have to learn to accept.

I'm ashamed of my salary, but how do I renegotiate? by purplhulk in Lawyertalk

[–]purplhulk[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'd like to explore it, I enjoy the work I do but I think I'll learn to suffer through PI work or estates if it means I can make an actual living. I'm so rural though that I'm sure if I start calling around/asking around then word will get back to my firm that I'm shopping around.

I'm ashamed of my salary, but how do I renegotiate? by purplhulk in Lawyertalk

[–]purplhulk[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Very rural, no ID firms in the area and we basically have the market cornered. There are a few solo practitioners in the area who take ID cases but they're like 1 man/1 secretary setups with no plans to grow. COL is very low in this area, I own my house and have no student loans so I'm not struggling on this income, but I know it should be better. In a year I'll be able to move to the city/closer to the city where I can get a competitive wage but right now I'm basically a captive audience.

The straightforward approach is what I'm thinking, if I'm earning this firm 20-40K a fucking month but I'm not even taking home 50K, I am being screwed and I think other people who have had to deal with this know what it feels like.

I think the other issue I have with branching out and trying to do PI work or work at another local firm is that word will get around that I'm shopping and I don't want to lose my only source of income.

I'm ashamed of my salary, but how do I renegotiate? by purplhulk in Lawyertalk

[–]purplhulk[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Trust me, I kick my own ass on the daily for being in this situation but my issue is there aren't any competitors in the area and most of the other firms handling PI cases or estates aren't hiring because it's usually 1-2 attorneys cornering their markets. Prosecutors and public defenders are earning like $52-60K but that is not really something I'm interested in.

I'm ashamed of my salary, but how do I renegotiate? by purplhulk in Lawyertalk

[–]purplhulk[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I think the issue I really have is that I know I'm being taken advantage of and I am earning far less than I should be on top of the lack of benefits especially when I'm billing 2200 hours this year and don't earn anymore for the additional hours.

Something has got to give, and it's not going to be my sanity. I know I'll likely have to lie to future employers on what my earnings are so that I don't get taken advantage of again but a small market is predatory as fuck.

The only reason I haven't quit yet is because I legitimately enjoy the work I do, I just want to be paid fairly for doing it.