The bill share is the most lucrative incentive amongst law firms in general (not restricted to JSA). Although this does depend on the team you are working with. In a high billing team, your annual retainer (including your bonus) as an SA could easily hit 45-50L . NGL. This was my experience working at JSA while being staffed on USD/GBP/EURO matters and long term high value INR transactions.
Unless you've worked at JSA or a firm that offers bill share as an incentive, the concept may seem a bit absurd. Also must tell you that you can forego the bill share incentive and increase your base pay. Its an option that you can negotiate.
I hope you are aware of the 8% bill share of jsa which is given to associates after 1 year of completion. If you are in a team that generates a lot of revenue. That is a great money.
The low fixed retainers are a misdirection; the bill share is where the real green lies. Work well and you could easily double/ triple your retainers each month.
JSA is the worst paymaster but the hours are same as other firms. They pay 1.75 at SA level, which is a joke given that they take 5PQE for SA instead of 4PQE. Is the firm taking people for a ride? So other firms pay better?
Unless you've worked at JSA or a firm that offers bill share as an incentive, the concept may seem a bit absurd. Also must tell you that you can forego the bill share incentive and increase your base pay. Its an option that you can negotiate.