| It has always been the common perception that | | | | of London, due to the credit crunch. Other signs the |
| lawyers and solicitors have the best paid jobs in the | | | | credit crunch hasn't affected solicitor jobs is that there |
| land, but how are legal jobs performing salary wise in | | | | are plenty of legal jobs available in East Anglia and |
| this day and age. Certainly in 2005 it seemed to be the | | | | London, especially in the areas of corporate and |
| case with it being reported a select few of solicitors | | | | commercial property. |
| would be pocketing around the £1.3m mark for | | | | The abundance of corporate law jobs is partly due to |
| the year. | | | | difficulties recruiting for them at the moment and due |
| Just over 10 years on from 1997, it seems salaries are | | | | to this, they tend to be in the top end of salary bands. |
| still in a strong position. At the beginning of the 21st | | | | This isn't just an issue in the South East and is |
| Century, the downturn in the economy affected the | | | | reflected throughout the country, with firms having to |
| legal profession, making the market considerably | | | | pay a premium for these lawyers from rival firms. |
| quieter. However, in 2005, it was also shown that the | | | | Another noted trend, which has been happening more |
| top 100 firms in the country netted a collective profit of | | | | and more over the last 2 years is the gap between |
| almost £3bn, more than double what it was in | | | | the high fliers and other solicitors. This can be attributed |
| 1997, which no doubt will be reflected in the salaries for | | | | toward the top-tier firms fighting to acquire the best |
| legal jobs. | | | | lawyers, meaning firstly these firms will have the |
| Over the last couple of years there has been a | | | | highest paid solicitors and the smaller firms will have |
| sustained period of growth and profits, with the market | | | | some of the lowest. The second reason is because |
| seeming incredibly buoyant. Legal jobs and their | | | | these firms want the best lawyers, meaning they are |
| salaries obviously are very dependant on the areas of | | | | willing to pay over the odds for them, creating a bigger |
| the UK and the various economic climates there. | | | | gap between the best and the rest. |
| For instance, despite growth in the northwest in terms | | | | Legal jobs are currently on the up, moving from |
| of law, the area of Sheffield will typically offer Newly | | | | strength to strength in terms of opportunities and |
| Qualified (NQ) solicitors around 29,000, where as in the | | | | salaries, but with talks of a recession on the horizon, |
| Thames Valley, London, NQ's will be offered around | | | | circumstance can change. However, all in all, it is fair to |
| £37,000, although the top rate in the North West, | | | | say if you are a talented debater, have a passion for |
| for NQ's, has risen to £38,000. | | | | law, want a fast car and large house; a legal job might |
| You may think this perception is stating the obvious, | | | | be the profession for you. |
| but many average salaries have been cut in the area | | | | |