I’m going to be a junior in a good university and I plan on going to law school afterward. I am an Econ and Poli Sci double major with a 3.6 GPA. (I still have to take my LSATs) I plan on doing something in corporate or financial law, particularly specializing in contracts.

And I know its true that if you go to a top law school and do relatively well your starting salary can be over $100k. But most of these huge firms tend to be located in VERY expensive areas (NY, LA, Chicago).

I was wondering—just in case I don’t get into those "top schools" (I’ll still try though), you can still get a great job right?

I was thinking about it and which starting salary is better

$150k in a HUGE NYC firm where it takes forever to get promoted (b/c there are so many top notch associates)

OR

maybe $80k in a MEDIUM sized law firm in Dallas where you will probably get promoted faster…….

Texas= Very low cost of living
NYC= Insanely high cost of living

You see where Im going with this? Is it sometimes better to make a little less if the cost of living is soooo much cheaper? (Dallas is something like 15 times cheaper than NYC I think)

What do you REALLY think is a better option……..this is why I wonder why law school students always talk about the HIGHEST SALARY…….when that usually isnt much when adjusted for the cost of living?

Just wanted some thoughts/advice…….Im being reasonable here right? Feel free to correct me if I made some incorrect assumptions.

Don’t go to law school. There are far too many lawyers already and everyone in law school is a prick. Go get your PhD in Psychology and work in a school. You get your summers off.

Long story short. In a menagerie of owners, general contractors, subcontractors, and employees I was injured while performing my job. I worked through the injury (in much pain) in order to complete the project. Yes, the injury was reported to my employer…the subcontractor. He did not suggest, advise, or otherwise seem to terribly concerned about getting me medical attention. Now I know why. He had no Workman’s Compensation insurance.

Here’s the problem: My employer is based out of Colorado. Also my home state. PI attorneys here in CO will not touch my case because the injury occurred across state lines. So, I have 2 options once I can find an attorney in the Dallas area.

1. File a claim/suit against the general contractor.
2. File a claim/suit against the owners of the property.

Please help. I’m in constant pain and have not held / cannot hold a job since Nov. 17th, 2008. To add insult to injury, my former employer has not responded to any of my phone calls or emails re: said injury.

Any ideas appreciated. Plz and Thx.

~peace~

Cam, unless you have witnesses who will verify (strongly) your accident that can convince an injury lawyer (read : ambulance chaser) to risk taking your case on a contingency basis you are pretty much screwed on this. A lawyer willing to take this on contingency is gonna need hard evidence to sue this guy, and even if he wins the case, making him pay will be next to impossible (and any attorney knows that and is unlikely, hence, to take the case on contingency).

You can call at (214) 509-7555 or email me at
chad@chadwestlaw.com

Chad is a member of Lover’s Lane United Methodist Church.

The last girl made $13.80 per hour but she was there 5 year.

I want to negotiate well and get the best amount possible but I want to be realistic. What do you think?

I was thinking about starting at $12 an hour if they ask me what I’d like to get paid, does that sound good?

Pursuant to salary.com a receptionist in the Dallas metro area makes between 25K to 32K a year. As such, that would be between $12.50 to $16.00 an hour. Depending on your experience and computer skills, I would start at least at the $12.50 range since large law firms are notoriously known for giving scaled raises.