UPDATE: Hi guys, I had my review today and it went better than expected.

Anonymous

July 19,2022 at 7:35PM UTC

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Hi All, I'm an attorney who has been working at my firm for a little over 3 years. During this time, I've taken significant paid time off due to illness, so I haven't had a formal review since I started here. Now I'm having my very first review in 2 weeks, and I don't know what to expect or how to prepare.

A little back story on the firm: When I started here, I came in as Attorney #9. However, since then, 5 attorneys have left and I'm now Attorney #4. My immediate supervisor left on a bad note a few weeks ago and I've inherited all his files. I have no issue handling the work and am doing really well. I currently make $92.5K annually and am not sure what I should be asking for in terms of a raise. Before working at this firm, I worked for myself and therefore never had a formal review as an attorney, so I need all the help I can get. TIA!

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AnonymousJuly 19,2022 at 8:44PM UTC
Speak with a colleague or an outside contact who is at a similar level and firm.
I'm the meantime, the managing partner or HR should be able to provide you a copy or link to the online review process and template.
Get familiar with how you goals are recorded and measured. Go back and build a tracker from the past year or so and integrate similar new goals. The review is highly formalized to keep it fair fir everyone. There will be goals, continuing professional development and a distinct track you will follow. Start asking your colleagues how it all works and get a copy of the process and templates.
Maegan, Nike Sales Rep & Career CoachJuly 20,2022 at 1:23AM UTC
Why not be upfront and ask? You can position it as really wanting to be prepared for your review and ask them to share more about the process & what you need to come prepared with. I'd also do your homework and talk to/look up market value for your role in a location similar to yours.. so you know exactly what to ask for!
AnonymousJuly 22,2022 at 6:51PM UTC
$92.5k is amazing! That would be life changing for me lol. Now, it depends how long you took time off. Your managers may use that against you and only count the actual time worked so they could consider it as 2 yrs experience rather than 3 years experience. I agree with the poster before me that you need to look up your market data. if this is your first firm ever, I'd say you're already in a good spot at $92.5k cause entry level lawyers typically start out with $60k. If you have more than 5 years of experience in your career, you should be able to warrant low $100ks. If you're in the 10+ years, you should be closer to $120k to $150k.
Sundeep HarperJuly 23,2022 at 10:57PM UTC
$92.5K is definitely a really good paycheck. However, in my area it’s a competitive rate. I worked for myself for like 7 years before joining this firm so my background isn’t typical. I really appreciate your response though. I will definitely check the market data on this.
AnonymousJuly 28,2022 at 8:12PM UTC
So 7 years prior and 2 years with this firm - you're close to 10 years of experience, give it a try and ask for $120k if you can.