How much does a partner at a law firm earn in Toronto?

Asked by: Brandon Braun  |  Last update: April 28, 2026
Score: 4.9/5 (61 votes)

A law firm partner in Toronto can earn anywhere from $250,000 to over $2 million annually, with top equity partners at large firms potentially making significantly more, depending heavily on firm size, billing, practice area, and whether they are an equity or non-equity partner. While some data shows average partner salaries in Ontario around $150k-$200k, this often includes non-equity or smaller firm roles; high-earning Toronto partners (equity) typically see figures well into the millions, with potential for $10M+ for top performers.

How much does a partner at a law firm make in Toronto?

As of Jan 15, 2026, the average annual pay for a Law Firm Partner in Ontario is $153,191 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $73.65 an hour. This is the equivalent of $2,945/week or $12,765/month.

How much does a big law firm partner make?

Average compensation for partners in larger law firms is $1.4 million, a record high that represents a 26% increase since 2022, according to a new survey by legal recruiting firm Major, Lindsey & Africa.

How much do big law lawyers make in Toronto?

High salaries

In Toronto, first-year associates at Big Law firms make around $135,000, with salaries rising to approximately $200,000 by the fourth year. By contrast, a first-year associate at a small Toronto firm may start closer to $90,000, while those at mid-sized firms typically make around $110,000.

How much do the top 10% lawyers make?

Average Salary for Attorney at Law

Attorney at Law in America make an average salary of $89,183 per year or $42.88 per hour. The top 10 percent makes over $117,000 per year, while the bottom 10 percent under $76,958 per year.

Big Law's Big Paychecks: Partner Compensation, Explained

16 related questions found

Do lawyers make $500,000 a year?

Some earn less than $50,000. Others exceed $500,000 by leveraging ownership, building client pipelines, and managing firm expenses. In firms with 26 to 50 attorneys, nearly one in three partners report earnings over $500,000.

Who are the Golden 5 law firms?

The term 'magic circle' was first coined by legal journalists in the late 1990s, and for the past 15 years it has consisted of a distinct group of five: A&O Shearman, Clifford Chance, Freshfields, Linklaters, and Slaughter and May. What sets these firms apart from the rest of the UK legal market?

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.

Is $150,000 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 $150,000 a year in Toronto makes 141.7% more than the average working person in Toronto and will take home about $103,947.

How much do top lawyers in Toronto make?

Lawyer pay in Canada varies enormously by practice area, location, and experience level. A junior associate in a small city may start at less than $100,000 a year, while an equity partner at a major Toronto firm can cross $1 million annually.

Can a lawyer make $1 million a year?

Can Lawyers Make $1M or More Per Year? Yes, as shown by the top-earning professionals in the legal field, it's possible to make over $1 million annually.

What law firm pays partners the most?

Profit per equity partner (PPEP) metrics are central: firms like Kirkland & Ellis, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, Davis Polk, Simpson Thacher, and others rank among the top in PPEP, often exceeding $7–9 million.

What is the salary of a top 10 law firm?

List of Highest Paying Law Firms In India in 2024

  • Khaitan & Co. Starting Salary: ₹16-17 LPA. ...
  • Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (SAM) Starting Salary: ₹16 LPA. ...
  • Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas (CAM) Starting Salary: ₹16 LPA. ...
  • S&R Associates. ...
  • Luthra & Luthra Law Offices. ...
  • Trilegal. ...
  • AZB & Partners. ...
  • J Sagar Associates (JSA)

How much does a partner at Deloitte make in Toronto?

Average Deloitte Partner yearly pay in Toronto, ON is approximately $300,913, which is 199% above the national average. Salary estimated from 27 past and present job postings on Indeed.

What is the top 10% salary in Toronto?

People making more than $106,700 are in the top 10% of tax-filers in Toronto, while more than half of Toronto tax-filers are making well below a living wage.

How rare is a 150K salary?

Is $150,000 a Year Considered Rich? An annual salary of $150K won't get you into the upper 1% — that requires an annual wage of at least $785,968, according to the Economic Policy Institute. But a $150,000 annual income will place you just above the 90th to 95th percentile among U.S. earners.

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.

Who are the magic 5 law firms?

The term was coined by legal reporters in the 1990s and is generally considered to include the following five law firms: A&O Shearman, Clifford Chance, Freshfields, Linklaters, and Slaughter and May.

What law firm does the royal family use?

Farrer & Co is a British law firm headquartered in London, England serving private individuals, charitable institutions and corporations.