Do law firm partners get a salary?

Asked by: Kailey Hammes  |  Last update: June 17, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (27 votes)

All that being said, there is a general salary range most law firm partners can expect to make. According to a 2022 survey, law firm partner salaries averaged $1.12 million. The median salary for this position was $675,000.

How do partners in law firms make money?

Traditional law firm partnership structures

Firms promote senior lawyers from within the firm to partners after a certain number of years of experience. Firms compensate these equity partners with a share of the profits and additional powers over factors like firm decision making, usually in exchange for a buy-in.

How much do partners at top law firms make?

How much do partners at big law firms make? Thanks to a recent survey by the renowned legal search firm Major, Lindsey & Africa, we have a pretty clear idea of how much equity partners at big law firms make. The average compensation for equity partners is $1.39 million per year.

How often do law firm partners get paid?

Equity partners are paid in either a monthly or quarterly “draw” which is a distribution of the firm's profits over a certain period of time. This draw can be determined by a compensation committee, agreed to by fellow partners, or may be based on the performance of billable hours.

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Big Law's Big Paychecks: Partner Compensation, Explained

19 related questions found

Can lawyers make 300k a year?

More experienced lawyers, those with 11-15 years of experience, earn notably more. Of those in practice 11-15 years, 35% earn between $200,000-$249,999, and 18% reported earning $250,000-$299,999.

Is 700k a good salary?

Earning $700,000 a year would put your household in the top 1% nationwide — and well above the middle class — and in any state in the South or Midwest. But that still won't cut it in seven states. The Northeast dominates the rankings, with five of the 10 states with the highest 1% thresholds lying in this region.

What is the average age to make partner at a law firm?

The average age to make a partner in a law firm, investment bank, asset management firm, or private wealth management firm is around 35 to 38 years old. However, this can vary depending on the firm and the specific specialty. For example, it may take longer to make a partner in a large law firm than in a smaller firm.

Is making partner at a law firm a big deal?

Partnership. For many, many BigLaw associates, partnership is the holy grail of a BigLaw career. Partnership represents the pinnacle of success, the reward for many, many years of hard (often grueling) work.

How long does it take to become a partner at a law firm?

Some firms do make decisions about partnership after 7 years; however, many firms have partnership tracks based on 8, 9, 10 or 11 years.

Do law firm partners make millions?

In California, you can expect an average partner salary between $180,000 and $300,000, whereas in Texas, it can range from $150,000 to $250,000.

How many hours do big law partners work?

Big law attorneys are known for working as much as 80 hours per week. This can be both physically and mentally grueling. Almost 50% of lawyers working that many hours claim it is so demanding that it has a negative impact on their life.

What is the hierarchy in a law firm?

For example, within a law firm's professional services class, there will be attorneys of different ranks and statuses, with equity partners at the top, associates in the middle, and contract attorneys at the bottom. Similar hierarchies exist within the business services class.

What is the average salary of a big law firm partner?

Over the past decade, average compensation for partners has nearly doubled to $1,411,000 in 2024, rising 26% in the last two years alone. Equity partners are earning more than three times more than non-equity partners on average. Average originations have soared to $3,476,000—a 26% increase from 2022.

What happens when you become a partner in a law firm?

Senior lawyers that are partners at a law firm are generally responsible for generating revenue at the company. Partnerships can mean different things with different organizations, but many partnerships are reliable for bringing in new clients and maintaining strong existing client relationships.

What is Mike's salary in Suits?

Financial Evaluation: Mike Ross starts with an estimated salary range of $100,000 - $150,000 as an associate. His jump to a junior partner almost doubles his earnings, and by the time he's a senior partner, he's potentially making up to $500,000.

How much do top lawyers make?

Highest-Paid Types of Lawyers
  • Patent attorney: $180,000.
  • Intellectual property (IP) attorney: $162,000.
  • Trial lawyer: $134,000.
  • Tax attorney: $122,000.
  • Corporate lawyer: $115,000.
  • Medical lawyer: $113,000.
  • Real estate lawyer: $98,000.
  • Family lawyer: $93,000.

What happens if you don't make a partner at a law firm?

You could join another firm and even be partner there. You could start your own practice. You could practice law in a different setting -- for example, in-house at a corporation, nonprofit, or government agency.

What percent of lawyers make a partner?

“So, over time, roughly 30 percent have eventually made partner for this group. But that doesn't mean that on any given year, 30 percent of associates are going to make partner.” Zamsky estimates that half of associates hired by small firms eventually become partners. Their average salary might be $80,000 or $90,000.

Can you make a partner at 30?

They have made partner at the tender age of 30, which means it has taken them less than 10 years to make partner! Although the high flyers we support to get to partner from the top 10 firms tend to be in their mid-30s.

Can I afford a 700k house with 100k salary?

To afford a $700,000 house, you typically need an annual income between $175,000 to $235,000, depending on your financial situation, down payment, credit score, and current market conditions. However, this is a general range, and your specific circumstances will determine the exact income required.

What salary is upper class?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income in 2022 was $74,580. To reach the upper class in 2024, you'd typically need an income exceeding $153,000 – more than double the national median. Don't Miss: Are you rich?

What percent of Americans make over 100k?

Only 18% of individual Americans make more than $100,000 a year, according to 2023 data from careers website Zippia. About 34% of U.S. households earn more than $100,000 a year, according to Zippia.