Originally Posted by Unregistered

I've heard it ranges around 3.5 (bare minimum) -4.5 (most small firms are closer to at least <4k), but that's excluding bonuses. You'll earn about 30% less than big law firms, but the difference will not be as big in the formative years (assuming your firms pays out around 3-4 months of bonus).

Also, if you're hardworking or good at negotiating, usually what happens is that associates will ask for a cut of the fees they generate. I've heard of chinatown lawyers under 3PQE earning 10-15k from chinatown firms, as they have deals where they get 10-20% of fees generated.

If you're not super ambitious, the partners make a really decent living. It's just that your earning at chinatown firms (those crim/family sweatshops) will top out at say 20-30k, whereas biglaw firms (if you slog for years and make it to equity level), will top out at alot higher.