Flash back six years: “New York to $190,000” was the mantra for law students hopeful that the go-go times for large law firms would translate into even higher starting salaries for new associates.

It didn’t happen. The recession took a heavy toll on firms and job opportunities for new grads at large firms dried up. In fact, starting salaries at large law firms have remained essentially flat since 2007, according to research by the National Association for Law Placement (NALP).