How much do associate lawyers make in South Africa?

Asked by: Garrison Schaefer  |  Last update: November 8, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (38 votes)

Mid-level lawyers, such as associates, earn between R650,000 to R850,000 per year, while senior associates earn R850,000 to R1,400,000 annually.

What type of lawyer gets paid the most in SA?

Which lawyers earn the most in South Africa? The highest-paid lawyers often work in medical, intellectual property, business, and environmental law. Their salaries can vary based on their experience and the type of law they practice.

How do associate lawyers get paid?

The way that associate attorneys get paid varies from law firm to law firm. Some law firms pay associate attorneys a fixed salary that increases over time, while others pay a base salary plus bonuses. Other law firms forego salaries altogether and pay associate attorneys commission for their work.

What is an associate in a law firm in South Africa?

An associate may be a junior or senior attorney, but normally does not hold an ownership interest in the firm even if associated with the firm for many years. First-year associates are entry-level junior attorneys and are generally recent law school graduates in their first year of law practice.

What is an associate attorney vs. lawyer?

An associate is a junior or senior attorney who works for a professional organization, such as a law firm, or is employed by another attorney. They are not considered a partner or a member of a law firm.

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32 related questions found

How many years do you have to be an associate lawyer?

At about 1-2 years out of law school, you are a “junior associate.” At 3-4 years or so, you are a “midlevel associate.” And at about 5-6 years, you are a “senior associate,” a title that may extent 1-2 years further, depending on the firm.

Can you be an associate attorney without passing the bar?

To become an associate attorney, you need to graduate from college with at least a bachelor's degree, take the LSAT exam, and then attend law school to obtain a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. After graduating from law school, you must pass the bar exam for your state to get your license to practice law there.

How many years does it take to become a lawyer in South Africa?

How long does it take to become a lawyer in South Africa? It takes at least 4 years to become a lawyer in South Africa. However, if you would like to become an attorney, you will need to complete a 4 year LLB degree and 2 years of articles for a total of at least 6 years.

Why do lawyers have associates?

Also involved are associates, who are employees of the firm with the prospect of becoming partners, and a variety of staff employees, providing paralegal, clerical, and other support services. An associate may have to wait many years before the decision is made as to whether the associate is made a partner.

What is the average salary of a lawyer in South Africa?

Find out what the average Lawyer salary is

How much does a Lawyer make in South Africa? The average lawyer salary in South Africa is R 360 000 per year or R 185 per hour. Entry-level positions start at R 156 000 per year, while most experienced workers make up to R 2 352 000 per year.

How many hours a week do associate lawyers work?

Grow Your Law Firm Sustainably

Growing a law firm is hard work, and at times, it can feel like it's taking over your life. It's common for lawyers to work between 55 and 80 hours a week, depending on what size firm they work in.

How profitable should an associate attorney be?

At 20% you'll be profitable. It's a good number. This guideline meets the needs of the associate while also meeting the requirements of the law firm. You can make 20% work in your firm.

How much are law associate bonuses?

More than 30 mostly BigLaw firms have announced that they are paying year-end and special bonuses that match the schedule sent by Milbank. The totals range from $21,000 to $140,000, based on associate year.

Is law in demand in South Africa?

In high demand

The rigour of a Law school education, and the range of skills in which excellence is required for graduation, ensures that law graduates are sought after across a range of endeavours. In other words, Law graduates enjoy excellent career prospects.

What is the highest paying job in South Africa?

A breakdown of the highest-paying jobs and their salaries
  • Neurosurgeon – R3 million to R5 million.
  • Cardiothoracic surgeon – R2. ...
  • Ship captain (Deep sea/Specialised cargo) – R2 million to R3. ...
  • Actuary (with experience) – R1. ...
  • Mining engineer (deep level) – R1. ...
  • Legal partner (corporate law) – R1.

Can lawyers make 300k a year?

Well, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for attorneys in the US is just over $125,000. The highest-paid lawyers (10% of the legal workforce) make over $208,000 However, the top 1% of attorneys make $500,000 or more per year.

What level is an associate lawyer?

Associates. Next down the hierarchy are associates. These are mostly young lawyers at a firm that are hoping to one day become a partner. Large-scale law firms generally have two tiers of associates: junior associates and senior associates.

What age do lawyers make partner?

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 of counsel better than associate?

Someone who is "of counsel" in a legal office is generally someone who has been around a while and will also stay around. In contrast, the shelf life of most associates is quite limited. Clients and legal office partners know that the associate is likely to be gone at any time.

Is there a shortage of lawyers in South Africa?

Current Demand for Lawyers in South Africa

The demand for lawyers in South Africa is reflected in various statistics. As of January 2022, there were approximately 29,981 practising attorneys and 5,483 candidate attorneys in South Africa. However, this demand can be shaped by societal and economic factors.

Is law hard in South Africa?

Choosing law as a career can be rewarding and exciting but it also requires hard work, dedication and a high level of commitment. The legal industry in South Africa is exceptionally competitive and there are many different career paths to choose from.

Can a foreigner become a lawyer in South Africa?

See 'Becoming a legal practitioner'. Further requirements with regard to admission are provided in the Legal Practice Act 28 of 2014. A person must be a South African citizen or permanent resident and be otherwise fit and proper in the opinion of the court to be admitted as a legal practitioner.

Are you a lawyer after you pass the bar exam?

Attorneys, lawyers, and counsel have all been educated and trained in law. As explained above, attorneys must pass the bar exam and practice law in court. Lawyers have also taken the bar exam, and may or may not practice law. Counsels provide legal advice, and often work for an organization or corporation.

What state has the easiest bar exam?

Overall, Utah is the easiest bar exam to pass. This is true whether you are a first-time taker or repeat taker! In July 2023, Utah had a 94% pass rate for first time takers and a 73% pass rate for repeat takers. It also has the lowest UBE cut score of 260.

What is a first year lawyer called?

Associates. Associates are attorneys who join law firms as members of a “class,” and their status is based on how many years they've worked at a firm since graduation. For example, a “first-year associate” is straight out of law school and learning standard concepts and practices.