The legal profession, known for its prestige and intellectual rigor, has long been a competitive field, not only in terms of securing a position but also when it comes to compensation. Law students and young legal professionals often strive to land summer associate positions at prominent law firms to get a taste of the legal world, gain invaluable experience, and of course, earn a competitive salary. In this article, we will delve into a comparison of the summer associate salaries at two prominent law firms in the southeastern United States: RumbergerKirk and Adams and Reese LLP.
These firms, while perhaps lesser known on the national stage than some of the AmLaw 100 firms, are major players in their respective regions and offer promising career opportunities. Compensation is a critical factor for summer associates, particularly as they consider long-term opportunities within these firms or others. Beyond compensation, we will also explore other aspects that may influence a law student’s decision to work at either firm, such as work-life balance, firm culture, and growth opportunities.
RumbergerKirk: An Overview
RumbergerKirk, established in 1978, is a litigation-focused law firm with offices across Florida and Alabama. Known for its strength in litigation, the firm serves clients in a wide range of industries, including insurance, commercial litigation, and product liability. The firm is smaller in scale than some of the larger law firms across the country but offers highly specialized services that make it a key player in the southeast legal market.
RumbergerKirk has made a name for itself by providing young attorneys with extensive courtroom experience early in their careers. This opportunity to be on the frontlines of litigation is attractive to law students interested in a hands-on legal experience. The firm is also known for fostering a collegial and supportive environment, something that often stands out for summer associates looking to work in a setting where mentorship is valued.
RumbergerKirk Summer Associate Salary
While exact figures for RumbergerKirk’s summer associate salary may fluctuate based on factors such as market conditions and regional cost of living, on average, a summer associate at RumbergerKirk can expect to earn around $1,700 to $2,100 per week. This figure is competitive with other mid-sized law firms in the southeastern U.S. but falls short of the top-tier national firms that offer significantly higher salaries.
One key consideration for prospective summer associates is that RumbergerKirk tends to provide substantial real-world litigation experience. While the salary may not be on par with New York or Los Angeles-based firms, the hands-on training can be an invaluable asset for law students looking to jumpstart their legal careers.
Additionally, the cost of living in the markets where RumbergerKirk operates, such as Orlando, Tampa, and Miami, is generally lower than major metropolitan areas like New York or San Francisco, which means associates can enjoy a decent standard of living despite the comparatively lower salary.
Adams and Reese LLP: An Overview
Adams and Reese LLP is another regional heavyweight, with over 300 attorneys spread across offices in the southeastern United States and Washington, D.C. The firm, founded in New Orleans in 1951, has a strong reputation for its work in corporate law, real estate, and litigation. Like RumbergerKirk, Adams and Reese LLP has a solid regional presence, but its areas of expertise and office locations differ, providing a unique contrast for those considering a summer associate position at either firm.
Adams and Reese LLP is known for its commitment to diversity, pro bono work, and a strong emphasis on client service. The firm’s culture is often described as collaborative, with a focus on fostering a strong community both within the firm and in the broader regions it serves. Summer associates at Adams and Reese LLP are exposed to a broad array of practice areas, allowing them to get a taste of multiple legal disciplines during their tenure.
Adams and Reese LLP Summer Associate Salary
Adams and Reese LLP generally offers a weekly salary of around $2,100 to $2,500 for its summer associates, which places it slightly ahead of RumbergerKirk in terms of compensation. This figure is again competitive within the southeastern U.S., but like RumbergerKirk, it does not match the salaries offered by national firms in larger cities.
That said, Adams and Reese LLP may appeal to law students seeking a broader range of practice areas compared to RumbergerKirk, as well as those interested in more corporate-oriented work. The firm’s compensation is in line with its peer firms and provides a healthy balance between salary, cost of living, and the quality of experience provided to its associates.
Factors Beyond Salary: Work-Life Balance, Firm Culture, and Career Growth
While salary is undoubtedly a key consideration for law students, other factors such as work-life balance, firm culture, and career development opportunities can play a significant role in the decision-making process.
Work-Life Balance
Both RumbergerKirk and Adams and Reese LLP have regional reputations for maintaining a reasonable work-life balance, particularly compared to larger national or international law firms. At RumbergerKirk, the relatively smaller size of the firm and its focus on litigation often means associates can expect an intense, fast-paced environment, but with more flexibility and less of the “big law” grind that is common at larger firms.
Adams and Reese LLP, with its more diverse practice areas, also offers a balanced approach to work and life, though it may be more demanding for associates working in fast-paced sectors such as corporate law or real estate.
Firm Culture
RumbergerKirk’s reputation for providing hands-on litigation experience early in an associate’s career can be a significant draw for law students. The firm is known for its mentorship and professional development programs, which encourage a sense of collaboration and collegiality. Summer associates can expect to feel like part of the team from day one, receiving substantive assignments that contribute to ongoing cases.
At Adams and Reese LLP, the culture is described as more formal yet collaborative, with a strong emphasis on teamwork and client service. Associates are encouraged to participate in pro bono work, and the firm’s commitment to diversity initiatives is another highlight. For law students interested in a supportive environment with a commitment to professional and personal growth, Adams and Reese LLP offers a strong option.
Career Growth
When comparing the career growth potential at these firms, RumbergerKirk’s focus on litigation provides a distinct advantage for those interested in courtroom experience. Associates can quickly gain substantial litigation experience and, for those looking to specialize in trial work, the firm offers an excellent platform to hone their skills.
Adams and Reese LLP, on the other hand, provides a broader array of practice areas, which may appeal to law students unsure of their future specialty. The firm’s larger size and geographic reach also provide greater flexibility for lateral moves or the potential to transfer between offices or practice groups.
Conclusion
Choosing between a summer associate position at RumbergerKirk or Adams and Reese LLP ultimately comes down to personal priorities. If compensation is the primary concern, Adams and Reese LLP may hold a slight edge, offering a marginally higher salary. However, for those seeking extensive litigation experience and a more intimate firm environment, RumbergerKirk’s focus on courtroom work and mentorship might be the more attractive option.
Both firms offer strong career development opportunities and are well-respected in their regions. Factors like work-life balance, firm culture, and long-term career goals should all be weighed carefully alongside the salary figures when deciding where to apply for a summer associate position. Ultimately, each firm provides a unique set of benefits that cater to different career aspirations within the legal profession.
