Sadly these are first year associates. I think the figures for their remuneration have been discussed at length in the earlier posts.

I also understand from other posters that after the first year, performance will determine overall remunerations. So those high performers with the endurance to last the long hours, I would assume be fairly remunerated. Then again this would also lead to greater pressure to meet higher billing targets which are based on "X times" the level of remuneration received to justify your presence. Don't forget with the increased competition within the legal industry, firms (even the big 4) are forced to compete on price, to work more for less.

I did not mention the pay given that my point is that, regardless of the payout, it would depend on how much the TS is willing to sacrifice/endure physically, emotionally and mentally. One of my mentors said to me: "what did you expect when a firm is willing to pay you (for example) $8k/month, at a junior level, with little to no practical experience behind your belt?".

The saving grace is that if you are capable of operating at such high levels initially, ceteris paribus, and most of your peers having left the industry, you would be in great demand amoung the firms given the 'shortfall' at the mid-level. Nonetheless, billing targets and competition would still remain.

Of course the exception to the above is that if somehow you prove to the firm that you are a 'rainmaker' as opposed to a 'grinder'. If you are able to leverage on your connections to bring business to the firm, then your presence can be justified through other means.

Overall, it simply depends on what you bring to the table: hard work, experience, or business.