How satisfied are you with your financial remuneration?

There’s no doubt that a career in law is often considered to be lucrative. Whilst the reality varies from firm to firm, it’s fair to say that junior lawyers can expect reasonable compensation for their efforts, particularly when compared to graduate-level jobs in some other industries. Of course, this is partially to compensate for the high costs associated with studying to be a lawyer, but it is also because law firms want to incentivise their staff. And whilst there are many more considerations than salary alone, it is reassuring to know that job satisfaction is not the only thing you can expect in exchange for your hard work. Although the pay war rages on (NQ salaries are currently a recurring topic in the legal press), perhaps unsurprisingly, the majority of Lex 100 Winners in this category are US firms. ‘The pay is really good’ at table-topper Milbank; likewise there is ‘excellent pay’ on offer at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld. At Cooley, the ‘benefits package comes in as a close second’ when it comes to picking out the best thing about the firm, whilst Debevoise & Plimpton trainees were attracted by the ‘fantastic remuneration’, considered to be ‘one of the highest salaries in the City’. Dechert trainees appreciate that their remuneration is particularly ‘good considering the work/life balance’ and Sidley Austin recruits were quick to praise the ‘excellent remuneration’ on offer. At Morrison and Foerster and Vinson & Elkins trainees are given a lot of responsibility, without too much hand holding, and are paid handsomely for their efforts. And Goodwin Procter offers junior lawyers an enviable combination of ‘American wages but a European culture’. Lucky them.