Self explanatory - is midlaw defined by pay, size?
It has always seemed to me that the TLS stance on Midlaw is that it is mostly a myth.
Maybe in NYC.
A combination of pay/size/location.
The defining characteristic of biglaw is high stakes and high values invoked, which almost always means corporate - though some white collar, investment, and T&E work sneaks in for ultra high networth individuals. Various things like large size and ‘prestige’ all trickle down from the kernel of high stakes / high value legal work.
“mid law” is thus whatever exists a step down. Corporate law for smaller corporations with lower stakes, private law for lower networth individuals, etc. There’s no bright line as to where it exists.
Not much else this thread can do.
If so, and primary markets are devoid of Midlaw, perhaps Midlaw is heartland Biglaw? Or is that obnoxious pro-coast trolling?
Between 20-50 attorneys paying at minimum 70k starting.
I think that is what people think of when they mean midlaw- regional biglaw. Firms in secondary/tertiary markets aren’t as big and don’t have as high profile clients, but many pay “market” for that location.
It’s a totality of the circumstances thing: size, pay, practice area, city, etc all have a role.
Also, it’s not a binary distinction.
Is that like Vinson and Elkins in Texas?
How about a firm that pays 6figs in a 2ndary market (but not market) and has an SA program. Midlaw for sure?
It doesn’t matter. The term only has meaning in broad strokes. Most people would consider just about any entry level / SA arrangement with the promise of a 6-figure biglaw though.
yea i think so. plenty of mid law gigs even in secondary-ish markets like DC or LA that pay $100-$145.
examples:
Watt, Tieder, Hoffar & Fitzgerald, L.L.P, / 59 lawyers / $140K
Nossaman LLP / 139 lawyers / $130K
BEST BEST & KRIEGER LLP / 200 lawyers / $100K
Even if the firm is, itself, small?
It doesn’t matter.
In the alternative:
There is no answer.
I generally think “mid-law” is basically regional biglaw. Start at usually between 70-110k (depending on the market), firms either hire through SA’s or post-clerkship (mostly state clerkships, though they probably pull some D.Ct. people as well who prefer to stay in market). Size doesn’t really matter; some firms are bigger than others.
This does NOT include branch offices of V100’s.
It’s whatever you want it to be, seriously bro
If it pays close to six figures, but I haven’t ever heard of it, then it’s midlaw.
There defenitely firms with about 40-60 attourneys and pay 80-100K, several in Chicago and a lot in NYC/LA etc.
The thing is they still make you bill 1800+ hours. Many only hire 1-2 SA or don’t have programs.