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How much do juniors in Chambers get paid?
It is also interesting as per this report that at least a dozen senior counsels make over 1 crore a day. That makes for at least 200 crores a year (which is so much more than what any lawyer in the UK or US would make).
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I started off at 12k/month, currently drawing 24k/month. I'm allowed to take money from my clients directly, senior has no problem if it's a 1000 or a crore, it all depends on your ability to milk the client. However, his progeny who is a colleague also expects, and realises a cut of everything I collect.
For context, senior makes 8 - 10 crore a year.
I'm curious what do top tier senior advocates charge per appearance in Bangalore? It's about 2-3 lakh per appearance in Bombay, briefing/settling/calls/OPE extra.
He's not a designated senior, he's a regular advocate. The year I joined his chamber was a really bumper year for him financially, he made double what I mentioned.
I remember someone saying that some young seniors like Mr Rajshekhar can pay much more?
Any info whatsoever is appreciated
Is this generally the norm in Delhi?
If not, what other seniors would normally pay this much/more?
And how this figure would go up over the years in Mr. Raos chambers?
Thank you!!
Unfortunately, no. A batchmate who joined another senior (designated alongwith Mr Rao recently) was only paid Rupees 15,000 at starting. He's still there but I don't know how much he makes now.
Mr Rao is also generous with bonuses etc. and the more he makes, the more you get.
The increase isn't fixed with Mr Rao. But put in effort, and your pay will increase. 25-30% minimum yearly, but this guy who worked there told me his pay increased in 8 months itself. I think you should try seeking out one of his current or recently-left juniors, most of them are a helpful bunch, no doubt in part due to Mr Rao's humble nature itself.
Started @ 15k, currently @ 25k. (mostly criminal trial work).
I'm allowed to take up my own cases though, and all that fees is mine.
And if I get cases for my senior, I am eligible for a generous (though not fixed) cut.
Batchmates who went to HC or SC instead of trial get slightly higher.
But a lot of times you will have to do pro bono work to just get some recognition. But all that 'strategy' and all aside; you can take upto 1L for a writ petition. From some clients, it may be lower, say 50k-ish. Similarly for bails, think around 25-30k at district level; 50ish at HC. But again, all of this depends on how much faith your client has in you (which translates to how much they are willing to spend), and what background they come from.
My colleagues who have been taking independent cases for quite some time now charge around 2k per appearance - which in my opinion is too low. Personally I aim around 5k per appearance (+ drafting charges, etc.). At the same time, a friend has charged 25k to a client for drafting and arguing Or.1r.10 & Or.7r.11 applications (in other words, 25k for 2-3 hearings), and will take more if the trial proceeds. Again, it's about bargaining power.
Hope this helps.
Alot of bad debts and in general it's a miracle to get your fees paid almost entirely. How true would you say is this?
What you're saying is mostly true. It is difficult to get clients who would pay. And not just for the first 10 years; I know people with far more experience whose clients try to get away without paying.
I'd say for the first couple of years, don't expect any earnings at all. Do pro bono work, get noticed, get exposure. Plus, if you do well and make that client happy, he may refer more clients to you (whom you can charge). It's about building a network, really.
And yes, in 90% of cases, the only fees you'll actually get is what you grab before the case. So, if it's a bail application, don't expect anything after the hearing (if bail is granted, he has no incentive to pay you; if bail is denied, he would not want to pay you).
You will have to write a lot of them off, yes. As a tip (backed by my personal experience, more senior lawyers can probably correct me) - make sure those "bad debts" are also worth it. Either the case is good, gets you some limelight (and thus, potential future clients) or you're able to build a long-term relationship with that client in lieu of waiving the fee off.
Though no chamber disallows juniors to work independently and income from independent clients belongs solely to the juniors.
- Complimentary meal plan: 2 rotis and a banana everyday, plus an ice cream bar every alternate Sundays.
- Complimentary annual health plan: 12 paracetamol tablets annually, plus a strip of Pudin Hara
- Annual vacation bonus: Return Uber taxi fare from residence to closest cinema hall, plus price of movie ticket for one (as litigation junior unlikely to have a girlfriend)
- Annual executive education bonus: Jaswant Motor School course on autorickshaw driving (backup career option).
Got paid 25k, and a hike of 5k after 1 year. My chamber senior is a prominent litigator, has stellar, high-paying clients and a roaring practice for someone nearing 40s. The senior most person in the chamber gets about 65k after working for 5+ years, gets to take own clients (which involves longer working hours), and can bill the chamber clients separately too. The pay is exploitative, and abysmal considering there is absolutely no infra at work (own laptops, softwares), and you get nothing more than the retainer (so travel expenses, insurance and other such things go from the retainer). There's a general sense that chamber juniors come from well-off families, and should milk their family wealth.
I just had some other questions - unrelated to the larger thread - would be great id you could answer them:
1. Can you touch upon the reasons that made you leave the firm so soon?
2. Does your senior support juniors in other ways (eg when they go independent - with referrals)? / Is this the norm?
3. What’s the difference in work life / style between the chamber and your firm?
Can you clarify what city you’re from
While these aren’t related to the larger thread - I’m sure most readers will greatly appreciate such insights!
2. My senior supports going independent after 5-6 years, and does refer. This is the norm for seniors who are themselves aiming for a Senior Advocate designation - cultivating relationship with juniors helps them get clients to represent as an arguing counsel.
3. Firm is regimented in terms of the type of work you do (based on practice area), and your contribution to a matter is defined majorly by your work ex. (don't expect a lot of client-facing or heavy-lifting work till A3 level). In chamber, you get to lead on matters irrespective of your experience; the quality of your output defines the work your senior is comfortable trusting you with. In terms of direct legal exposure, chamber wins hands down. You would be drafting SLPs from day 1, being in front of judges (even if just to ask for a passover) whereas in firms (non-lit practice), this will come only at a junior partner level. However, chamber work is erratic, sometimes there's little work, sometimes a lot - although this is not a major concern given there are no billing targets. Aspects such as designated leaves, handover to teammates are also largely non-existent, and you work in silos so not a lot of scope for teamwork.
City - Delhi
If possible, could you also touch upon the following:
1. Clarification: Do you mean 5-6 years PGE or these many years with the said senior?
2. Would you recommend joining a senior like yours (going to be designated in some time / just designated) over a slightly older/more established senior or even a legit A-list senior?
3. One of the career paths that is often suggested to young aspiring litigants (esp first gen) is:
Litigation team at good firm (2-3 years) -> LLM (if they want) -> junior filing chamber -> senior chamber (say 3 years) -> independent
What are your thoughts on this?
Would be great if you could touch up on some of this
Thanks!
But I had another thing to add to OP
How much capital/savings do you think is needed to go independent in Delhi?
And how long is the general incubation period?
Thaaanks so much
Way to go guys
I currently work in the GC practice at a tier-1 law firm. I have made up my mind to leave and start practicing. However, reading this chain, I feel like it does not make sense for a middle-class lawyer to start working at chambers especially in Mumbai where the rent is no less than 25k for a single room. This post has made me anxious and I am now back to my starting point on deciding what the next stage of my legal career should be.
My question is - would it be a smarter decision to work in a boutique litigation firm instead of approaching senior advocates as I do not want to live in a house for destitutes with a 'salary' as less as 5k/month? I am from a top NLU. Would that help in any way? I have also heard horror stories of blatant sexism in litigation/ client interactions/ briefings/ salary disparity. Not sure if I'm mentally strong to handle that yet.
I would really appreciate a (detailed, if possible) answer to my question - as I have no insight on which firms to approach. Thank you in advance!
Of course, there is no intention to demoralise anyone, but the figures being quoted to seniors income are not really representative of an average litigating lawyer. The competition is cut throat and the MNCs do not really come to you. They would instead spend a bomb on a senior since a general counsel is made ccountable to the top management.
Lastly, there is nothing right or wrong; in a cosmopolitan city, where a bare survival alone needs 25, just chose your options financially. This is because all those claiming to get independent matters do so only after the first two to three years. Not every gets lucky right away and mind you, your senior's matters/briefs will take precedence over your matter.
Note: be game to forget personal and family life for the time you work with a senior. Since there is no leave policy as such, sacrificing personal space and time should be very okay to you.
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