As we’ve learned from the annual ranking of the highest paid general counsel, going in-house can mean big money.

Last year, the highest paid lawyer in the U.S. was actually CBS General Counsel Louis Briskman. In 2011, Briskman’s cash compensation was $6.5 million, and his total take home pay was over $14.6 million, Above the Law reports. In fact, all of the top 10 highest paid GCs cleared the $3 million mark in total pay. If you’re dreaming of going in-house, these men and women will inspire you to think big.

But what about the experienced in-house attorneys who aren’t quite up to the seven-figure salary? What do they earn?

For 2013, the Robert Half Legal 2013 Salary Guide predicts that licensed lawyers with 10 to 12 years’ experience will make between $94,250 and $255,750 at law firms. Here are the breakdowns by firm size:

  • Large law firm (75+ attorneys): $168,250-$255,750
  • Midsize law firm (35-75 lawyers): $141,000-$236,500
  • Small/midsize law firm (10-35 lawyers): $118,500-$172,250
  • Small law firm (up to 10 lawyers): $94,250-$156,750

Midsize and small/midsize firm attorneys enjoyed the greatest salary increases for the year, seeing 4.1 percent and 3.9 percent changes, respectively.

In-house lawyers with the same amount of experience made between $134,500 and $235,500, a 3.9 percent change from 2012.

With top-earning in-house attorneys bringing in 92 percent of what their big law counterparts earn, going in-house still seems like a good bet.

Related Resources:

  • Corporate Counsel Center (FindLaw)
  • In-House Counsel Salaries: What Can You Expect in the First 3 Years? (FindLaw’s In House Blog)
  • Nordstrom Butts Heads With FTC Over Social Media Ad Disclosures (FindLaw’s In House Blog)

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