Chicago-Based Chapman and Cutler Creates 2 Tier$ of Law Firm Associates

[From the ABA Journal]

Two tier$ of law firm associates?

Chicago-based Chapman and Cutler has responded to to ever-increasing starting salaries for attorneys by creating two tiers of associates, the ABA Journal reported today.

Associates at the 220 lawyer firm are being given a choice between working more hours for top dollar (the firm recently went to a starting salary of $160,000 for associates) or fewer hours for (an unspecified) less.

Associates will make this choice in their second year.

"The salaries have escalated really dramatically and yet people seem to be really unhappy," says Rick Cosgrove, the 220-lawyer firm's chief executive partner. "They don't want their whole life to be work."

He says the firm decided to give associates a choice of whether to earn more or work less after determining that associates disagree about which option they prefer.

A similar approach is being tried by Seattle-based Perkins Coie, as discussed in this month's ABA Journal.

A new trend? Time will tell. But with associate lay-off rumors ramping up, who knows?







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