Expert: Sally A. Kane - 1/4/2009

Question
I would like to be a lawyer when i get older, i would like to enter the corporate/business and or litigation. I would like to work in a mega-firm and based on this what would my salary be? As a partner how much could i make. Also for winning case do you make money and what is the most amount of money a lawyer can make?

Answer
Dear Gabriel,

Working for a mega-firm is a common aspiration among would-be lawyers.  Therefore, competition for these positions is intense.  Lawyers in AmLaw 100 firms are generally the “cream of the crop” and are among the top earners in the profession.  Entry-level associates at such firms earn as much as $165,000 per year in base pay plus bonuses.  However, in the present legal market some large firms are freezing associate pay.  Partners may earn in excess of $1 million per year.  While these figures sound enticing, the trade off is often hard work and long hours.

Associates in large global law firms generally have stand-out credentials including degrees from top-tier law schools, law review experience and top grades.  If you want to work as a lawyer in one of these firms you can get on the right track now by earning great  grades.

For insight into the pros of working for a mega-firm, see:  http://legalcareers.about.com/od/practiceenvironments/tp/Benefits-of-a-Large-Law...

For insight into the cons of working for a mega-firm, see:
http://legalcareers.about.com/od/practiceenvironments/tp/Large-Law-Firm-Challeng...

There is no cap on the amount of money a lawyer can make.  However, the vast majority of lawyers work for small firms and earn less than $100,00 a year.  

Thanks for writing and good luck!

Sally A. Kane, Esq.
About.com Guide to Legal Careers
http://legalcareers.about.com/