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IBD Associate. Your typical IBD associate will make ~$200k+ all in as a first year, while a biglaw associate can expect ~$180k (unless you're at Wachtell, when you'll be making double that). I'd say that you work a bit less in biglaw, but the difference is marginal at best if you're in NY, maybe at 70 vs 80 hours a week. Biglaw outside of NY does tend to have better hours, but not that much, while banking's banking no matter where you go. If you're basing your decision solely on earnings potential, don't

 

Not to feed the troll or further a fairly pointless debate, but it's worth remembering that associate =/= associate. At law firms associate can range from just out of law school to an 8+ year veteran.

There have been many great comebacks throughout history. Jesus was dead but then came back as an all-powerful God-Zombie.
 
Kenny_Powers_CFA

Not to feed the troll or further a fairly pointless debate, but it's worth remembering that associate =/= associate.
At law firms associate can range from just out of law school to an 8+ year veteran.

This sounds true...I mean, just look at Katrina, she is a fifth-year associate but she's competing head-to-toe with Mike who is ostensibly only a first year associate.

 
Going Concern Kenny_Powers_CFA:

Not to feed the troll or further a fairly pointless debate, but it's worth remembering that associate =/= associate.
At law firms associate can range from just out of law school to an 8+ year veteran.

This sounds true...I mean, just look at Katrina, she is a fifth-year associate but she's competing head-to-toe with Mike who is ostensibly only a first year associate.

lol well done

 
Kenny_Powers_CFA

Not to feed the troll or further a fairly pointless debate, but it's worth remembering that associate =/= associate.
At law firms associate can range from just out of law school to an 8+ year veteran.

Yes. Usually they are always associates until/unless they are promoted to junior partner. There are no other titles or hierarchies in between. Although some manage to transition to "of counsel"-ish positions outside the associate-partner rank. They are sort of like in-house consultants with a good deal of freedom to undertake own initiatives while still on the firm payroll. These positions are rather nice. At big firms a counsel gets paid $200k-250k/year with a heck lot less workload than associates.
Too late for second-guessing Too late to go back to sleep.
 
brandon st randy Kenny_Powers_CFA:

Not to feed the troll or further a fairly pointless debate, but it's worth remembering that associate =/= associate.
At law firms associate can range from just out of law school to an 8+ year veteran.

Yes. Usually they are always associates until/unless they are promoted to junior partner. There are no other titles or hierarchies in between. Although some manage to transition to "of counsel"-ish positions outside the associate-partner rank. They are sort of like in-house consultants with a good deal of freedom to undertake own initiatives while still on the firm payroll. These positions are rather nice. At big firms a counsel gets paid $200k-250k/year with a heck lot less workload than associates.

Interesting. Wasn't sure what to think of the "Of Counsel" title. What do you suppose a true in-house counsel makes in comparison?

 
Best Response
peinvestor2012 brandon st randy: Kenny_Powers_CFA:

Not to feed the troll or further a fairly pointless debate, but it's worth remembering that associate =/= associate.
At law firms associate can range from just out of law school to an 8+ year veteran.

Yes. Usually they are always associates until/unless they are promoted to junior partner. There are no other titles or hierarchies in between. Although some manage to transition to "of counsel"-ish positions outside the associate-partner rank. They are sort of like in-house consultants with a good deal of freedom to undertake own initiatives while still on the firm payroll. These positions are rather nice. At big firms a counsel gets paid $200k-250k/year with a heck lot less workload than associates.

Interesting. Wasn't sure what to think of the "Of Counsel" title. What do you suppose a true in-house counsel makes in comparison?

You meant in house counsels at buy side firms? That really depends on the firm AUM, performances etc. General counsels at established firms with sizable AUMs usually are compensated well, in line with law firm partners and get carries too. If the funds perform well then in house counsels can do really well on the backend from the upsides. This is unlike law firms which usually get paid hourly rates no matter what.

Too late for second-guessing Too late to go back to sleep.
 

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