San Francisco-based Shartsis, Friese & Ginsburg announced Wednesday that although it can’t match the big Bay Area firms in size, it will match them in salary. First-years putting in the expected 1,850 hours at the 44-attorney commercial law firm will now earn a base salary of $125,000, up from the $97,000 base set in October 1999.
Other associates, who are expected to bill 1,950 hours, will be paid base salaries along the lines of those the most competitive firms have recently adopted. A fourth-year associate will earn $165,000 while seventh-years take in $205,000. Calling the billing requirements “reasonable and flexible,” partner Arthur Shartsis says the firm will give all associates the option of billing 1,850 hours a year for a lower, undisclosed salary.
