Attorney Salaries at Historic High

New data from the National Association for Law Placement (NALP) show that 2019 law grads earned a median salary of $72,500 and an average salary of $100,540—which is a historic high

In May of 2020 NALP began conducting a series of short “pulse” surveys to learn more about the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on U.S. legal employers, law schools, and JD students. These surveys were designed to quantify the rapidly evolving changes occurring in the industry. The results from the second round of surveys, conducted from June 18-30, 2020, are included within this report. In total, 356 offices completed the legal employers survey, of which 264 held summer programs in 2020, and 167 schools completed the law schools survey. Data from both surveys have been summarized in the following infographics and tables. The total number of schools or offices included in each table may vary because some offices or schools did not complete every question and some questions were only applicable to offices or schools that met certain criteria. POST-GRADUATE EMPLOYMENT OFFERS RESCINDED • Nearly half (49%) of schools reported that some of their Class of 2020 graduates had their postgraduate employment offers rescinded. • Schools in the Southeast region (58%) and those with more than 750 JD students (61%) were most likely to report graduates with rescinded offers. • Rescinded offers were reported most frequently in private practice, with 85% of schools* reporting graduates with rescinded offers in this sector. • 69% of schools that offer post-graduate fellowship funding reported that their funding for the Class of 2020 was flat in comparison to the Class of 2019 and only 13% reported increased funding. POST-GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP FUNDING • Nearly half (49%) of law schools have invested in new or increased technology for virtual counseling, interviews, and meetings, and 21% are still considering such additional investments. RESOURCE INVESTMENTS • Half (50%) of law school CSOs experienced budget cuts between March 15 – June 30, 2020 and 58% anticipate budget cuts for the upcoming year (July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021). • Schools in the West/Rocky Mountain region (64%) were most likely to report budgets cuts in spring 2020 and schools in the Midwest (64%) and Northeast (63%) regions were most likely to anticipate budget cuts in the upcoming year. CSO BUDGETS • 14% of law school CSOs have experienced staff furloughs or layoffs since March 15, 2020.