Canadian Lawyer

20 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9 w w w . c a n a d i a n l a w y e r m a g . c o m I ncreased demand for experienced lawyers may explain a disparity in sal- ary range revealed in the Canadian Lawyer annual compensation survey between new calls and those with more experience. The largest group of new lawyers, 31 per cent, earned $40,000 to $65,000 working in law firms across the country in 2018, according to the survey, while another 16 per cent made $65,000 to $80,000 and 22 per cent fell into the $80,000 to $95,000 range. But those with just two years' experience jumped pay categories, with 25 per cent earning $65,000 to $80,000 and another 21 per cent taking in $95,000 to $110,000. Pay categories jumped again for those called between 2012 and 2014, with 21 per cent earning $80,000 to $95,000 and 29 per cent earning $110,000 to $150,000. Whereas 26 per cent of those with seven years' experience or more earned $150,000 to $200,000, 19 per cent made $110,000 to $150,000 and another 19 per cent made $95,000 to $110,000. A similar progression was evident for in-house lawyers, although most new calls, 42 per cent, earned in the $60,000 to $80,000 range. What is noteworthy in the wide range of incomes are comments among the respondents that lawyer salaries, including sole practitioners, vary geographically. At legal staffing service Robert Half Legal, division director Julia Valladao says NOT JUST THE MONEY Canadian Lawyer's compensation survey shows there is a battle for experienced lawyers and firms need to be creative to attract talent By Marg. Bruineman L A W O F F I C E M A N A G E M E N T there is big demand for lawyers with three- to seven-years' experience, particularly in the Toronto area, and she suggests that law firms need to offer competitive compensation pack- ages if they're interested in attracting the best. Lawyers with more experience and a solid book of business are also very attractive for firms, but often difficult to land. "Law firms of all sizes are hiring associates who have three- to seven-plus years of experi- ence and can hit the ground running," says Val- ladao. "Lawyers are, with more than 10 years of experience and extensive client contact, being sought by law firms to extend their lucrative practice group. "With the baby boomer retirement reaching a critical point, the firms are also seeking lawyers with experience in tax, trusts, and estates law." Legal departments, she adds, have extended their internal teams in recent years to handle more work in-house, instead of outsourcing. That fuels the demand for not only commercial law but also contract administration specialists and litigation support professionals. The result of a tight market means qualified candidates can end up with multiple offers, driv- ing up expectations. And salary isn't all they're seeking. The experience at Robert Half legal is that comprehensive benefits, flexible hours, an easy commute, work-from-home options, a defined career path and professional develop- ment opportunities are also attractive to lawyers. JOE MAGEE

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