Good news from this Robert Half Legal survey looking ahead to 2007!
"Average starting salaries for legal professionals in the United States are projected to rise 4.7 percent in 2007, according to the just-released Robert Half Legal 2007 Salary Guide. Larger increases in base compensation are expected for attorneys with one to three years of experience at small to midsize law firms, first year associates and several legal support positions. Research from the annual Robert Half Legal Salary Guide indicates the hiring outlook is positive. Across the nation, corporate governance, litigation, intellectual property and real estate practice areas are generating casework and providing fresh sources of revenue.
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"’New business development and continued regulatory activities are driving demand for legal professionals with practice area expertise in specialties such as corporate governance, litigation or intellectual property,’ said Robert Half Legal executive director Charles A. Volkert, Esq. ‘As a result, legal hiring managers are reassessing their compensation packages to attract the best candidates.’
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"Paralegals can expect average starting salaries to rise 6.1 percent in 2007. The position of senior/supervising paralegal at a large law firm is expected to increase 7.6 percent, to the range of $55,750 to $78,250 annually.
"Average starting salaries for legal administrators and office managers in small law firms are expected to increase 6.3 percent, to the range of $46,000 to $60,000."