I should clarify, there is a pretty large split between big law and an typical career in law. Those that go into top (200) firms are starting as associates at ~190k [1] with partners making ~1mm [2] with a long tail end. However most others will follow a career trajectory starting around 60k [3], maybe less if they are public attorneys, moving towards ~150k [4] if they make partner in a smaller firm. Prospective lawyers are sold the big law dream but outside of that the career trajectory is a lot less enticing considering the upfront costs.

[1] https://www.nalp.org/0521research [2] https://www.abajournal.com/news/article/how-much-do-partners... [3] https://www.nalp.org/salarydistrib [4] https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/partner-attorney-salary-S...

Starting salaries are 200 to 300k at the best firms. Partners make much more.

Well-paid/experienced partners, yes.

Starting salary for partners is around 300k at a big four. That's true for FAANG starting salaries, too.

The only difference is it takes 15 years to make partner at a big four, whereas (especially with college-age side hustle experience) you can start with a few years of experience.

Oh, the other difference is you can spend a few hundred thousand to buy-in as a partner, as opposed to a 100k signing bonus at a faang.

The fact senior partners make millions doesn't change the fact about starting salaries. At that point you're comparing a 25yo to a 45yo.

Starting for partners is $300k at a big four but that does not include equity grants or profit sharing. It also rapidly climbs from $300k, especially if you can make it past the first 3 years. A senior partner with 10+ years as a partner can pull down $20M+ a year easily and would be a candidate for C-suite jobs basically anywhere if they decided to leave.

But making it into the partnership is more about playing politics than being good, so it’s definitely not for everyone.

How do these firms make so much money to pay these eye popping amounts?!

Are these the firms that do lawsuits against companies on behalf of a wronged client, client gets peanuts and “lawyer” fees eat up the sizable chunk of amount awarded in $xx,000,000+ cases?

20m is not normal. Look here, the top law firm makes 5m profit per partner https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_largest_law_firms_by...