How much does a Corporate Lawyer make in Toronto?

Asked by: Mckenna Walker  |  Last update: February 15, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (36 votes)

A Corporate Lawyer in Toronto earns a wide range, with averages around $113,000 - $141,000 annually, but salaries vary significantly by experience and firm, with some junior roles starting lower and senior lawyers at large firms potentially earning over $200,000-$250,000+ yearly, especially in areas like tech or finance.

How much do corporate lawyers in Toronto make?

How much does a Corporate Lawyer make in Toronto, Ontario? As of Jan 11, 2026, the average annual pay for a Corporate Lawyer in Toronto is $140,956 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $67.77 an hour. This is the equivalent of $2,710/week or $11,746/month.

Is $130,000 a good salary in Toronto?

The average salary in Toronto is $62,050, which is 14% higher than the Canadian average salary of $54,450. A person making $130,000 a year in Toronto makes 109.5% more than the average working person in Toronto and will take home about $92,629.

How much do the top 1% lawyers make?

The top 1% of lawyers earn well into the high six figures to millions annually, with top "Big Law" associates hitting $400k+ quickly, and partners/specialists (like patent attorneys) exceeding $500k-$1M+, depending heavily on location, firm size (Big Law pays most), and specialization (corporate, IP, tax). Entry-level salaries at top firms can start around $215k+, while partners in successful firms can earn $500k to over $1M. 

Is $90,000 a good salary in Toronto?

A good salary in Toronto depends on individual needs and lifestyle choices. While $90,000 – $120,000 is a comfortable range, financial security depends on personal budgeting and expenses.

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Are Canadian lawyers paid well?

When it comes to earning potential, the legal profession in Canada is as diverse as it is competitive. While the average lawyer in Canada takes home roughly $145,000 per year (or about $74.43 per hour according to Talent.com), certain specialties command significantly higher salaries.

How to make $500,000 a year as a lawyer?

To earn $500,000 a year as a lawyer, you need a strategic combination of specializing in high-paying fields (like corporate, IP, or plaintiff-side personal injury/class action), mastering business development through robust lead generation (SEO, PPC, referrals), and potentially moving into leadership roles like Big Law equity partner or becoming a renowned expert/mediator in a niche, leveraging strong marketing and scalable firm operations rather than just billable hours. 

What is the wealthiest type of lawyer?

The richest types of lawyers are often specialists in high-stakes fields like Corporate Law, Intellectual Property (IP) & Patent Law, and Medical Malpractice/Personal Injury, especially those with science backgrounds or who handle massive litigation, with top earners often found in BigLaw or as successful plaintiffs' attorneys. While IP lawyers (especially patent attorneys with STEM degrees) command high fees for complex inventions, large corporate mergers, or complex personal injury settlements, overall wealth can also come from strategic business investments or big-ticket litigation.
 

Who are the Golden 5 law firms?

There isn't a widely recognized "Golden 5" group of law firms; however, you're likely thinking of London's elite "Magic Circle" firms: A&O Shearman, Clifford Chance, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Linklaters, and Slaughter and May, known for high profitability and corporate work, or perhaps the US-based "Vault 100" or "Big Law" firms like Kirkland & Ellis and Latham & Watkins, but these groups have different names and compositions.
 

How much can I spend on a house if I make $130,000?

A home buyer earning a $130,000 gross annual salary may be able to afford a home that costs around $407,000 — with a monthly mortgage payment of around $3,000. But how much house you can afford on a $130K salary may vary by tens of thousands of dollars.

Is $120000 enough to live in Toronto?

$120,000 is $57,950 more than the average yearly salary of $62,050 in Toronto. A salary of $120,000 per year means that you would be taking home about $86,970 per year after taxes, or $7,248 per month to pay for things like housing, transportation, groceries, and entertainment.

Is $130,000 a good salary in Toronto?

The average salary in Toronto is $62,050, which is 14% higher than the Canadian average salary of $54,450. A person making $135,000 a year in Toronto makes 117.6% more than the average working person in Toronto and will take home about $95,459.

How much do entry level corporate lawyers make in Canada?

Find out what the average Corporate lawyer salary is

Entry-level positions start at $68,250 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $199,668 per year.

What are the top 7 law firms in Toronto?

In the Canadian legal market, the 'Seven Sisters', leading Bay Street Toronto, Ontario corporate firms, continue to dominate the marketplace. They are Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP, Goodmans LLP, McCarthy Tétrault, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, Stikeman Elliott LLP and Torys.

Can a lawyer make $1 million a year?

Yes, lawyers can absolutely make $1 million or more per year, especially partners in top "Big Law" firms, elite corporate lawyers, successful firm owners, and specialists in high-value fields like mergers & acquisitions, personal injury (contingency fees), or intellectual property. Reaching this level often requires treating the practice as a business, specializing in lucrative areas, generating high revenue, leveraging associate work, and sometimes handling large-scale deals or multi-million dollar settlements, rather than just typical hourly billing. 

Who is the billion dollar lawyer?

Findling is married to Beth Kaplan Findling, and they have three children, calling himself and them “a family of left-wing liberals.” He has been given the nickname #BillionDollarLawyer, originally conferred by client Young Dolph.

Which country pays lawyers the most?

The top countries which offer the highest average Lawyer's salary are the USA, Germany, Canada, the UK, France, Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Switzerland. The legal field presents numerous opportunities for skilled professionals to create significant impacts locally and globally.

Can you make 7 figures as a lawyer?

Certain legal specialties naturally generate higher revenue per case due to complexity, demand, and fee structures. Lawyers aiming for 7-figure earnings often focus on: Personal Injury Law – Large settlements and contingency fees. Corporate Law – Ongoing retainers for business clients.

Who earned $600000 last year I made half at Google and $300000 from my side hustle which I spend 5 hours a week on?

Last year, Sundas Khalid earned $600,000 — half from her job at Google and $300,000 from a side hustle she runs just five hours a week. By 2024, her content creation income had even surpassed her Google salary, thanks to help from a virtual assistant and a team of editors.

What profession has the most millionaires?

THE TOP 5 CAREERS OF MILLIONAIRES: - Engineer - Accountant (CPA) - Teacher - Management - Attorney Some of those are surprising, huh?

How much do corporate lawyers make in Toronto?

Corporate Lawyer salaries in Toronto, ON

How accurate is an average base pay range of $105K-$178K/yr? Your input helps Glassdoor refine our pay estimates over time.

Do lawyers get paid if they lose?

In reality, many attorneys do not get paid if they lose a case. If your lawyer is working on a contingency fee, they only get paid if they recover money for you. That means you can focus on your recovery without worrying about paying legal fees up front.

How long is law school in Canada?

Law school is a three-year program, followed by 12 months of "Articling," where you work under the supervision of a practising lawyer and develop your lawyering skills.