Salaried partner job description

Nov 14, 2021

Written By Thomas Cserep

Salaried partners play a vital role in the operation of a law firm and are often the face of the company. From the journey to becoming one to the responsibilities you are entrusted with, here’s everything you need to know about this role.

Who are salaried partners?

Unlike usual employees, salaried partners are involved with the operation of the firm. As they have a seat at the decision making table, they’re able to influence the direction of the law firm. This means they are partly responsible for making sure that the firm succeeds and attracts clients.

In addition to earning a salary, they also take a cut from the profits of the company through performance-based bonuses.

How do you become a salaried partner?

In order to be considered for a salaried partner role, you need to have accumulated between six and eight years of experience as a fully-fledged solicitor. But simply working for a number of years as a lawyer is not enough; you must demonstrate your value to the firm and possess the credentials necessary to carry out the responsibilities of a salaried partner.

What do salaried partners do?

As a salaried partner, you play a key role in the management of the law firm. Whilst you may be the face of the company, you also carry out vital behind the scenes work that supports the firm’s operations.

Salaried partners take on a variety of responsibilities that establish the firm’s long term strategy and trajectory as a business. In addition to managing the firm’s client base, they also try to increase profits by analysing which services generate the most income. This helps salaried partners decide what area of the legal industry should the company aim to continue growing in and develop the firm’s future financial and operational strategies.

Since they oversee a number of associates, salaried partners are also tasked with managing any conflicts or issues amongst employees, all the while making sure that the workforce has a high morale and feels welcome at the firm.

Additionally, they oversee the work of solicitors, ensuring that clients’ needs are met and that they are satisfied with the services that the firm offers.

What skills must salaried partners have?

Salaried partners need all the traits of a successful solicitor, whilst also acquiring additional qualities that would help them thrive in their role.

Since they are involved in deciding what direction the firm takes, salaried partners must be good decision makers and have good analytical skills: they need to be able to see and develop the long-term strategy of the business.

Successful salaried partners also have good people skills; they are entrusted with the task of keeping the client base satisfied and act as a mediator if conflicts arise between employees. Whether to associate solicitors or to equity partners, they need to be able to communicate ideas clearly to aid the smooth running of the firm.

Besides this, they also have to take responsibility if anything goes wrong: salaried partners are accountable if the firm does not comply with regulations and operates outside of the boundaries of law.

How much do salaried partners earn?

Even though they receive a standard salary, the earnings of a salaried partner is contingent on the success and profits of the law firm, as a significant share of their wages comes from performance-based bonuses.

Depending on the law firm, salaried partners can earn as little as £50,000 or as much as £250,000 a year.

What can I do with a Law Degree?