Lawyer Salary

Hi everyone, just want to get an opinion on whether you guys would be willing to accept a TC from a mid-sized firm that’s only offering to pay 1k monthly and also stipulates a clawback of previously paid allowance, part b fees and call fees if one leaves within 2 years from start of employment? Is this even reasonable??

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hi everyone, just want to get an opinion on whether you guys would be willing to accept a TC from a mid-sized firm that’s only offering to pay 1k monthly and also stipulates a clawback of previously paid allowance, part b fees and call fees if one leaves within 2 years from start of employment? Is this even reasonable??

personally suggest that if you have decent capabilities, to not even consider the above… I’ve heard of firms clawing back part b fees and maybe even call fees but not previously paid allowance lol… also not really sure if your definition of mid sized is correct given that i don’t think any known mid sized firms offer 1k a month for TC

Originally Posted by Unregistered

personally suggest that if you have decent capabilities, to not even consider the above… I’ve heard of firms clawing back part b fees and maybe even call fees but not previously paid allowance lol… also not really sure if your definition of mid sized is correct given that i don’t think any known mid sized firms offer 1k a month for TC

Hi thanks for your advice! They are actually classified as large sized in MinLaw’s registry… I tried negotiating with them but it appears they’re not open to it at all. I was honestly quite stunned when I saw what they were offering. What exactly is going through their mind to make a firm of their size think it’ll be okay to pay trainees a meagre 1k, try to in effect bond me to them for 2 years and yet also not be transparent about their associate pay. Should I then be expecting to be paid half of what average associates get paid then? Honestly dumbfounded haha

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hi thanks for your advice! They are actually classified as large sized in MinLaw’s registry… I tried negotiating with them but it appears they’re not open to it at all. I was honestly quite stunned when I saw what they were offering. What exactly is going through their mind to make a firm of their size think it’ll be okay to pay trainees a meagre 1k, try to in effect bond me to them for 2 years and yet also not be transparent about their associate pay. Should I then be expecting to be paid half of what average associates get paid then? Honestly dumbfounded haha

IMO the terms are insane. Big 4 firms (back in my time) have asked for Part B fees back only if the former trainee leaves within 6-12 months (varies depending on firm). No clawback of previously paid allowance.

If you think about it, the clawback is already fairly onerous. Trainees are already being paid a meagre allowance - the firm would have gotten some value out of the trainee already v cost, even after factoring in the cost of the Part B fees.

The fact that a mid-sized firm (which, logically, should have a worse bargaining position) is trying to pull this stunt is astonishing. I'm sure you'll have better alternatives.

Absolutely ridiculous. Have some dignity and reject such exploitation.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hi thanks for your advice! They are actually classified as large sized in MinLaw’s registry… I tried negotiating with them but it appears they’re not open to it at all. I was honestly quite stunned when I saw what they were offering. What exactly is going through their mind to make a firm of their size think it’ll be okay to pay trainees a meagre 1k, try to in effect bond me to them for 2 years and yet also not be transparent about their associate pay. Should I then be expecting to be paid half of what average associates get paid then? Honestly dumbfounded haha

Can you do everyone a favour and report this to the Law Society? The allowance clawback is predatory and offensive. It also smacks of an unenforceable penalty clause in substance.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Can you do everyone a favour and report this to the Law Society? The allowance clawback is predatory and offensive. It also smacks of an unenforceable penalty clause in substance.

Hi just to clarify this in case it might make a difference. The allowance clawback I was referring to is the few hundred dollars training allowance given to trainees for the duration of part b, and not the honorarium for TC. Would this still be an unenforceable penalty clause, and how would this be different from the clawback of part b fees and call fees (which I presume is legal and enforceable)?

How long does the Big 4 reply after interviewing TC applicants?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

How long does the Big 4 reply after interviewing TC applicants?

I applied in 2020 so not sure if this still applies but for me and for friends that I know, we heard back within the same day or within 24h so you won't have to wait for too long Timelines to accept were also very short since they interview very quickly. But hiring seems to be slow this year based on what I've heard so it may be different

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hi just to clarify this in case it might make a difference. The allowance clawback I was referring to is the few hundred dollars training allowance given to trainees for the duration of part b, and not the honorarium for TC. Would this still be an unenforceable penalty clause, and how would this be different from the clawback of part b fees and call fees (which I presume is legal and enforceable)?

You lawyer right? What do you think?