Second year solicitor working in Melbourne CBD law firm with a pay of $60k, excluding Super and before tax. Have a mortgage and a 3 years old kid to feed.
I love my job but there is not much career progression in this boutique firm. If I were to resign, I could probably go somewhere better but at the risk of losing my job (?) and/or not passing my probation.
Any (legal) advice? :)
Thank you guys for the comments!
Comment of the year!!!
LOL
Line up a new job before resigning.
Lawyers earn 60k?
Go for more pay and career progression. BUT what is your earnings potential with experience?
Your only a 2nd year, get abit more experience under your belt, people expect to make big bucks straight out of uni, then they see the real world, and it doesnt work like that. You gotta do the hard yards first.
Actually 2nd year lawyers can easily transfer between firms if they present well, are confident and can discuss their experience.
OP is earning $60k (which is way below market rate) at a small firm so would do well to line up a job in another firm but it depends on whether he or she impresses in an interview. Certainly would not hurt to put in job applications and talk to recruiters.
Not saying you can make "big bucks" out of uni but by firm hopping you can definitely accelerate your payrises. In fact the best way to get (profanity) over in the legal industry (and I'm sure in most other industries) is to stay at a single firm for more than 3 years.
Any advise?
Well, for a start it's "advice" :)
,
And my advice would be not to resign until you have a job lined up - not with a child and a mortgage.
Op must have read the last 10 threads asking for "advise" and assumed that's how it was spelt.
60k for 2yr PAE at a small firm sounds about standard. You will get more in mid tier/ larger firms and possibly even gov jobs. You will also need to disclose your practice area if you want more detailed advice.
60k is way less than what even grads get paid at mid tier firms. Let alone 1year PAE lawyers. It's also less than what 2nd years get paid in government jobs. It's way under market.
That would be correct for commercial/ litigation lawyers in Sydney… but for a “boutique” firm possibly suburban doing conveyancing in Vic, there would be lawyers on less money than OP
Resign once you have a new job lined up. People change jobs all the time, no reason you can’t be one of them.
Lwyrup
Two years? It took you longer to get your law degree!
Dun dun.
look at a person who is around 5-10 years ahead of you that you want to become (personally/professionally) and get them to mentor you. It's all about getting the right experience, hard work and putting yourself in the position to land that Job (luck is always involved but need to put yourself in a position to take advantage of it)
reality is the market is saturated and has been for a while.
You'll need to stick i tout and move to a diff firm that hopefully has better progression path.. and stick it out.
But depending on the firm , be prepared for crazy competition to get that promotion
Become a police informer to earn the big bikkies
How long is your probation?
Damn teenagers! second year out with a 60k job and complaining already!
back in my day we barely got min wages for years! lol
like others say suck it up princess, u have a mortgage and kid! line up another job first
I don't know if you have a speciality or an interest in a particular type of law, but have you considered an "associated" job, which uses your legal knowledge, without practising as a solicitor?
For example, I work in construction and I know that Contract Administrators earn a lot more that $60k.
Depending on experience and qualifications
What law degree and how many years of study was it? 60k salary sounds pretty crap considering it's easy to find an unskilled job paying that if not more.
Only asking out of interest.
The difference is the unskilled job probably caps out at $65k.
That's true. I still find the whole university degree thing backwards sometimes.
In what way?
@[Deactivated]: Getting a degree that takes 4-5 years won't necessarily help you get a 'good job' that pays well.
When I finished school it was kind of implied you had to go to uni to get a good career. I just don't think that's the case anymore.
@crashloaded it's interesting, there is a perception that law is a guaranteed way to be on the big bucks, but it's far from the truth. Earning $50-60k as a newly admitted lawyer at a boutique firm is pretty reasonable in my view. I started out at $45k back in 2012, after six years of uni (Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Business, Practical Legal Training). I earn more now (thank goodness) but probably no more than a decent tradie. The lawyers who earn the big bucks work grueling hours to justify their pay and/or are business owners. If you are really curious, you might find this document an interesting read.
@Kidaway I have been in a similar boat (see: the $45k job I just mentioned). I would be hesitant as a relatively newbie lawyer to stay in a job where you have prematurely reached a ceiling. It's basically inevitable that you'll move to another job and you don't want to be a solicitor with 5 years PAE but with the skillset of a 1 year PAE solicitor - it won't be a good look when you start to interview. I wouldn't do anything rash but I would be proactive about finding a better opportunity.
True, thanks for the insight. I guess it's perceived that most lawyers earn 6 figures.
Work/life balance are more important in my opinion. I've earnt close to 6 figures but now only earn 70k, I am much happier earning less!
Looking to Quit My Job as a Lawyer
To do something completely different? Did you graduate with a combined degree? None of my mates who were enrolled in a law degree when I was at uni are currently working in the field. They all graduated with double degrees though:
Get your unrestricted practising certificate first. Maybe look into state and federal public service jobs and try to get your foot in the door.
Looks alright to be honest.
I know plenty of people earning $8 an hour as a cashier. (Very Common)
I know how you feel and I am in the same industry. I strongly recommend to get a job at corporates or government sectors. You are not getting much from a boutique firm at all.
Your pay is pretty close to the market for that firm size. Second year lawyers at my previous firm (Melb boutique) were on 55-60k.
My suggestion: do a trade instead and don't waste any more of your life in law. You'll thank yourself in 10 years for not having sacrificed most of your hours in the office. A trade will let you see your partner and your child grow up, keep you fit, and will earn you more than a measly $30-40 an hour. Law won't, unless you land a government gig close by (difficult these days).
This advice isn’t helpful at all. The OP has a young child and will be on apprenticeship wage for 4 years. Use some common sense.
Some solicitors sacrifice income early in their career to work in small firms where they are given more responsibility /autonomy. Apart from that,$60k checks out with payscale for 1-4 year lawyer: https://www.payscale.com/research/AU/Job=Solicitor/Salary
Maybe get a DNA test to check the kid is yours.
Seek legal advice.