Newly Qualified Salary - Training contract and trainee solicitor information and resources

crazyfool · #1 (**permalink**) 27th August 2008, 10:07

Hello all, my first message on the forum so please be gentle!

I am due to complete my training contract on 1st January 2009 and I am obviously looking forward (or hoping!) to be on some proper money from that point on. However, it has recently occured to me that I am not at all sure what to expect salary wise. I would be really gratefull if I could get peoples views on what to expect.

To give people an idea, I work for a small (7 partner) but traditional and established high street firm in Newark, Nottinghamshire. The firm, although it is old and established is quite forward thinking and from what I gather looks after fee earners very well. On qualification I will be practising a mixture of employment and commercial contracts/commercial litigation work.

I do not think that the firm will try to screw me, but would like to negotiate a good deal for myself. I just don't know what to use as a starting point really. Are there any recently NQ's out there who can help? any trainees in the same boat ? or anybody in the know?

All help would be gratefully received to help me fund a life of excess (I wish!).

Thanks

Crazyfool

carpediem · #2 (**permalink**) 28th August 2008, 08:55

25-30ish? Alternatively try looking for an NQ position in the local area and see what they're offering then you can go to your firm and say such and such are offering...

SCARYMARY · #3 (**permalink**) 28th August 2008, 09:21

I know someone who was offered in her current firm ?20,000!

f1grainne · #4 (**permalink**) 28th August 2008, 10:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCARYMARY

I know someone who was offered in her current firm ?20,000!

*jaw drops*

No way!! that's terrible!

sumoking · #5 (**permalink**) 28th August 2008, 10:59

lawyers in tight fisted negotiation non shocker

SCARYMARY · #6 (**permalink**) 28th August 2008, 11:21

She sure did.

Its a legal aid firm so dont know if that makes a difference. I think my firm will offer me something like that too.

How much should we accept as NQs?

carpediem · #7 (**permalink**) 28th August 2008, 13:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCARYMARY

I know someone who was offered in her current firm ?20,000!

Lowest I've heard of is 19k and at more than 1 firm what a joke!

Ganymede · #8 (**permalink**) 29th August 2008, 08:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by sumoking

lawyers in tight fisted negotiation non shocker

Classic Sumo!

JDinho · #9 (**permalink**) 3rd September 2008, 22:12

I'm training at a similar type and size of firm but in central London, I'm expecting to be offered somewhere in the region of 35 on qualification, but with the way things are at the moment - who knows ?

To be honest though, it will depend on how good you are and (obviously) how much you bill. The general rule is that you should be paid roughly a third of what you bill.

Hope this helps, good luck