Summer associate compensation

[FearOfMusic]

Hi. Im a pre-L weighing my options for next year (the whole t-14 with no money vs @50 with all of it-- that Im sure many of you had to make at one point). I hope you dont mind my dropping by on your board but i figured Id ask people who really know the answer...

Granted I go the t-14 route, study hard and do well, what are the chances I can get a summer associate gig at a big firm after 1L, and approximately how much can I expect to earn? Same for 2L?

I have 6 years of strong WE already, and a masters degree, which should help my resume.

pardon my naivete

   

[Strong]

You might as well ask how much astronauts get paid.

Seriously though $1500-$2700+ / week

check out NALPdirectory.com

Slim chances.

[jacy85]

Strong's estimate in salary is right on.  It ranges depending on the firm and the market its in.

As for chances...from what I've heard from friends at T14 school, if you want a firm job summer of 2L, you'll probably get one.  1L is a different story.  My opinion is that a 1L should never count on having a firm job for their first summer.  People do get them, and being in the T14 with work experience will help.  At the very least, assuming you get decent grades (not a sure thing for anyone), you'll probably be able to find something paid.

[FearOfMusic]

cool. thanks. obviously still very new at this. how about a guess as to what percentage of students (at top schools) get $1500/week jobs after 1L...

..and then.. what % of astronauts get paid more than t-14 spelunkers

[Strong]

I guess I forgot to distinguish between 1L/2L

Alot of firms don't ever hire 1L's

[up_late]

There are a lot of statistics about large private firms available at http://www.nalpdirectory.com/, including compensation and number of 1L summer associates.

[FearOfMusic]

thanks again guys. looks like Im going to school in philly so I should have access to some major markets. Ill definitely be concerned with grades primarily. but still trying to figure out a way to go the T-14 route AND pay my mortgage...