Hey Guys:

Does anyone know how much money should I request when applying for a position as legal assistant/paralegal I with a law firm? I have quite a bit of experience and knowledge in legal matters and I am setting my expectations at $40,000 (at least,) but I heard some mid-sized (not big) law firms are willing to pay $35,000 for an entry-level legal assistant position for which they will have to train their candidate, so...New York region...foreign degree evaluated to be the equivalent of U'S's Bachelors by foreign credentials agency here in the States...smoldering looks...and so on...so, what do ya think and do not think? :) lol

You can demand $40,000 but should be flexible to negotiate the salary.
Good luck.

A typical Legal Secretary working in New York, NY earns a median base salary of $41,677. Half of the people in this job earn between $37,898 and $46,407.

As to what typically a L.S. does: Secretarial and administrative duties for an attorney. Responsibilities will include typing letters, memos, reports, answering phones, and filing. Requires a high school diploma or its equivalent and 0-2 years of experience in the field or in a related area. Has knowledge of commonly-used concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field. Relies on instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job. Works under immediate supervision; typically reports to an attorney.

If you've the U.S. equivalent of a Bachelors Degree (that you're saying is evaluated here in the U.S.) I just cannot see why you don't go for some Paralegal position. It's paid much more than a plain Legal Assistant.

The above person is right: paralegals are paid very well...it can range anywhere from $50,000 up to $70,000 per year depending on the level of experience.

Wow...pretty interessting...and how much is usually paid an attorney?

Well, judging from what this Monster Salary Center (courtesy of "Monster Rates" :) says, it looks like an entry-level attorney -- i.e., fresh out of Law School makes approximately $43 an hour (about $80,000 a year), while after 5 years of work this same lawyer will pull on average $138,000 a year (about $70 an hour.)

Don't be surprised however to see rates up to $180,000 a year ($93/hr,) for instance, paid to an experienced Patent Attorney...

http://salary.monster.com/salarywizard/layoutscripts/swzl_compresult.asp?zipcode=&metrocode=119&statecode=NY&state=New+York&metro=New+York&city=&geo=New+York%2C+NY&jobcode=LE11000028&jobtitle=Patent+Attorney+IV&search=&narrowdesc=Legal+Services&narrowcode=LE01&isforcompanalyst=1&jobcodeedit=LE11000028&r=monstertitle&p=MNSTR42X

Attorneys may be paid high rates, but it is Physicians that are No. 1, as far as money is concerned.

A typical Surgeon working in New York, NY earns a median base salary of $238,023 (between $205,507 and $291,351.)

wow...I have heard rates like these only from pricey escorts...I mean, it's them that may charge $200 for a 2-hour session, for instance. But of course they can not offer their services for too many years as when they get old they're not hired any more, while a doctor, e.g., can work for several decades...

If you want to check a government-compiled directory of professions and the salaries paid, go the above-pasted link.

Hmmm...

Oh yeah, salaries according to statistics...out there in the real world things are much tougher though...

If you live in L.A. you may try this guy

If you live in L.A. you may try this guy

http://www.shusterman.com/careers.html

Thanks for the awesome info, guys. Some comments aside, you've helped me a lot to get a picture of what's happening out there...I'm trying to get into some mid-sized or big law firm actually, not a 3-4 attorneys' office, so I guess I have to keep looking a little longer until the right opportunity comes!

http://discuss.ilw.com/eve/forums?a=tpc&s=691603441&f=902603441&m=5006006462&r=8346096462#8346096462

In the city where I live (a quite good metropolitan area) a legal assistant is usually paid no more than $17 an hour...rates differ though from company to company...

okay

As to that comment regarding lawyers not being able to get close to doctors......my alien friends, are you so dense not to understand that some lawyers are being paid up to $350,000 a year and a few of them even up to $800,000 a year?

Why do people in America value money that much as to rank themselves in terms of money earned?