Typical Career Progression
| |
Position |
Remuneration |
Experience |
Education |
|
Start Position
|
Graduate Layer
Top Tier Firm
Mid Tier Firm
Small Practice
|
$50,000 to $71,000
$40,000 to $65,000
$30,000 to $60,000
|
0 Years
|
Degree
|
|
1st Promotion
|
First Year
Top Tier Firm
Mid Tier Firm
Small Practice
|
$55,000 to $92,000
$50,000 to $80,000
$40,000 to $80,000
|
1 year
|
Degree
|
|
2nd Promotion
|
Senior Associate
Top Tier Firm
Mid Tier Firm
Small Practice
|
$120,000 to $250,000
$100,000 to $185,000
$90,000 to $150,000
|
3 to 6 years
|
Degree
|
|
3rd Promotion
|
Salaried Partner
Top Tier Firm
Mid Tier Firm
Small Practice
|
$200,000+ to $300,000+
$150,000+ to $200,000+
$120,000+ to $200,000+
|
8 to 12 years
|
Postgraduate
|
|
4th Promotion
|
Managing / Equity
Partner
Top Tier Firm
Mid Tier Firm
Small Practice
|
$400,000+ to $750,000+
$250,000+ to $500,000+
$150,000+ to $250,000+
|
15 + years
|
Postgraduate
|
* Figures have been extracted from Michael Page International Salary & Employment Forecast 08/09 (see: http://www.michaelpage.com.au/pdf/AU_0809_Legal.pdf) . Figures are only intended to be used as a general guide and may vary from State to State.
Typical Accountabilities & Responsibilities
|
Graduate Lawyer
|
Undertakes 12 months of supervised training in various areas of law such as civil litigation, property and commercial law. Gains the practical knowledge necessary to work as a qualified practitioner.
|
|
Senior Associate
|
Undertakes and oversees the management of various legal issues. Mentors and trains junior practitioners and provides legal advice to clients on a range of legal issues.
|
|
Salaried Partner
|
Assists in developing and building the firm’s business, provides specialised advice to clients in various areas of law. Supervises staff and encourages their legal development.
|
|
Managing Partner
|
Develops and implements the firm’s strategic plan. Is responsible for the firm’s overall management and corporate governance. Acts as the firm’s representative at important community and bar events.
|
Career Options Available
There are numerous career path options for an emerging solicitor. You may choose to:
- specialise in a particular area of law such as:
- criminal law (driving under intoxication, assault, theft)
- conveyance (property settlements)
- family law (divorce, child care issues)
- personal injury
- tax
- litigation
- business law (contracts, partnerships mortgages) and
- estate law (trusts, wills probate)
- work in the public service sector as an employee for the Government;
- become a mediator, helping to resolve disputes and facilitate negotiations between parties;
- become an arbitrator, hearing cases between private parties or businesses; or
- work as an in-house solicitor for a major bank, financial institution or corporation, ensuring the corporation’s compliance with the law;
About the Author
Brand Partners, Melbourne
Brand Partners is a niche Melbourne based firm, specialising in commercial law. We run our practice on a philosophy of specialisation and excellance, with our principal goals being to provide the highest quality legal services and to be an instrumental part of each client's success.
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