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Law Practice Management

Drinker Biddle Cuts New Associate Pay, Plans In-House 1st-Year Training

Posted May 11, 2009 12:46 PM CST
By Martha Neil

In yet another twist on associate pay cuts, a Philadelphia-based national law firm is reducing the starting salary for first-year associates.

However, they will start on time at Drinker Biddle & Reath, which plans to begin a new in-house training program in September for first-years, reports the Am Law Daily. It will include sessions on taking depositions and brief-writing, as well as shadowing partners at client meetings and court hearings.

The 700-attorney firm will cut its starting salary, which presently ranges from $145,000 to $160,000, to what amounts to $105,000 on an annualized basis, according to the law blog. Then, in the spring of 2010, Drinker Biddle will reportedly revise the first-year salaries to match "prevailing market rates," apparently at the same time that they complete the firm's training program.

Related coverage:

ABAJournal.com: "Dozens of BigLaw Firms Make Law Blog’s Start-Date Deferral List"

ABAJournal.com: "Enterprising UCLA Offers Skills Training for Jobless 1st-Years"

Comments

1.

B. McLeod
May 11, 2009 1:48 PM CST

Almost.  This is the closest yet to a sensible cut.

2.

K.
May 11, 2009 5:16 PM CST

Makes a heck of a lot more sense than the firms paying their “first years” big bucks to sit at home.  I think this is a wonderful idea. 
In many other parts of the world it’s required that a new lawyer “clerk” or “article” for a year before they are even qualified to practice.  I like it.

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