Built for your career. And for you.
Salary data, career strategy, and resume guidance for lawyers at every stage. Plus support for the parts of the job nobody talks about. Both matter. Both are here.
Nearly a decade working with people — first in counselling, now in legal search.
A different lens on legal recruiting
Where are you on the trajectory?
Every lawyer's path is different. But there are common windows, moments where a conversation makes sense. Here is how I think about it.
Build the foundation.
Get reps. Be a sponge. Work complex files. Build your synopsis or deal sheet now, not later.
If you are already miserable at year 2, the problem may not be the firm.
Think strategically.
Partnership track or pivot? This is when the question becomes real.
You are doing good work but the path ahead does not excite you.
The decision window.
In-house becomes realistic and competitive. Companies want your private practice depth.
You keep reading in-house job postings but haven't told anyone.
Lateral or lead.
Senior associate, income partner, or in-house leadership. Bigger moves, higher stakes.
The partnership conversation has stalled or the offer was not what you expected.
Not sure where you fit? That is exactly the kind of conversation I have every day. No pitch. Just a straight read.
Let's talkWhat actually gets you noticed.
Haven't dusted off the resume in a while? Not sure how to walk into a room and own it? Here is what I tell every lawyer I work with.
Lead with impact, not duties
"Lead associate on a $750M hotel sale" lands harder than "involved in M&A transactions." Tell them what you did, not what the firm did.
Your deal sheet and/or litigation synopsis is not optional
A deal sheet or litigation synopsis is what separates shortlisted candidates from overlooked ones. Keep it current.
Interview prep matters
Know what to expect, what to ask, and how to present. I prep lawyers for interviews at every level, firm and in-house.
Not sure where your resume stands? Send it to me. I will tell you exactly what a hiring partner sees.
Send it overTransition in-house with confidence.
Leaving private practice for an in-house role is more than a change of scenery. It is a shift in mindset, metrics, and how legal fits into the business. I help you understand what hiring managers are actually looking for.
Let's connectPrivate practice to in-house
Understand the mindset shift. No longer interested in the partnership path? Let's talk about why in-house makes sense for you.
Senior counsel to GC / VP legal
Moving from execution to leadership requires a different conversation. We frame your strategic contributions as a business partner.
A lateral partner move is one of the most consequential decisions in a legal career.
Done well, it is a growth engine. Done poorly, it costs clients, culture, and credibility. Group moves carry additional complexity, portability, firm culture, and equity structures all at once.
is the reason most lateral moves fail, not compensation
is everything. The best moves happen before you feel forced to make one.
Warren Smith, Managing Partner at SLS, on what it actually takes to make a lateral move work.
Read the articleConsidering a lateral move? This benefits from being discussed early, before anything is in motion.
Let's talkBC Legal Market — Salary Tool
Private practice and in-house compensation data. All figures CAD, base salary unless noted.
| Year of call | Large firm | Mid-market | Boutique |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st year | Up to $120,000 | Up to $107,000 | $80,000+ |
| 2nd year | Up to $130,000 | Up to $117,000 | $90,000+ |
| 3rd year | Up to $147,000 | Up to $138,500 | $100,000+ |
| 4th year | Up to $170,000 | Up to $155,000 | $110,000+ |
| 5th year | Up to $185,000 | Up to $163,000 | $120,000+ |
| 6th year | Up to $205,000 | Up to $177,000 | $150,000+ |
| 7th year | $220,000+ | Up to $190,000 | $160,000+ |
| Role | Base | Bonus | Total (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal / Corp. Counsel | $130K – $170K | $20K – $30K | $170K – $200K |
| Senior Legal Counsel | $180K – $210K | $40K – $55K | $250K – $320K |
| Director / Asst. GC | $225K – $260K | $60K – $70K | $250K – $500K |
| General Counsel | $260K – $315K | $90K – $120K | $500K – $1M+ |
STI — Short-Term Incentive
Annual cash bonus tied to performance. GC and Director roles have formal target structures.
LTI — Long-Term Incentive
RSUs, PSUs, or options vesting over 3–5 years. This is where real wealth-building happens in-house.
Pension & Retirement
Crown and government roles typically offer DB pension. Private and public co. more commonly offer RRSP matching.
Total Comp Model
A GC at a public co. with $290K base + $120K STI + $150K LTI can realize $560K+ total. Base understates what top roles actually pay.
| Factor | Private practice | In-house |
|---|---|---|
| Base salary growth | Year-by-year, firm-driven | Role-based, slower progression |
| Bonus (STI) | Discretionary, often significant | Target bonuses 15–40%+ of base |
| Equity (LTI) | Equity partnership | RSUs, PSUs, options |
| Pension | Group RRSP typically | DBPP & DCPP available |
| Work arrangement | Billable targets / collections | More predictable, hybrid common |
The gap between private practice and in-house at the associate level has narrowed significantly in BC. For lawyers at the 3–6 year call level, the base salary difference is often smaller than expected. Factor in LTI, STI, and pension at a public company and total comp can significantly exceed what the base numbers suggest. The real conversation is about what you actually want from your career.
Current Opportunities
Most of the roles we work on never appear on public job boards. What you see here is just the surface. Reach out directly for a confidential conversation about what else is available.
You are not alone. And sometimes that is the hardest part to figure out.
Navigating mental health, addiction, ADHD, or neurodivergence is not something anyone should have to do alone. I know that firsthand. Nearly 60% of legal professionals experience burnout. This page is a starting point.
"I used to think asking for help was weak. Turns out it was the only brave thing I ever did."— Trevin Sewell
Lawyers Assistance Program & TELUS Health One — BC
Confidential counselling, referrals, and peer support for BC lawyers, articled students, and their families, at no cost.
Visit lawsociety.bc.ca →CBA Well-Being Programs
The Canadian Bar Association's well-being hub. Mental health courses, peer support, and resources built for legal professionals.
Visit cba.org →Lawyer Well-Being Hub — BC
A central access point for tools and support for BC lawyers, including LifeSpeak, a 24/7 anonymous digital wellness platform.
Visit lawsociety.bc.ca →OLAP — Ontario Lawyers Assistance Program
Confidential support and counselling for Ontario legal professionals dealing with addiction, burnout, or mental health issues. 24/7.
Visit olap.ca →lawyersassist.ca
24/7 crisis counselling, professional counselling, and peer support programs specifically for lawyers across Canada.
Visit lawyersassist.ca →Lawyers Indemnity Fund — Health and Wellness
The insurer's own take on burnout as a practice risk, plus links to BC Centre on Substance Use, CMHA, and the provincial crisis line.
Visit lif.ca →Wellness Together Canada
Free, confidential mental health and substance use support for anyone in Canada. Text, chat, or phone counselling, no referral needed.
Visit wellnesstogether.ca →Talk Suicide Canada
National suicide prevention service. Call or text 988, available 24/7, in English and French, anywhere in Canada.
Visit talksuicide.ca →Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction
National, evidence-based information and resources on substance use, addiction, and recovery for individuals and families.
Visit ccsa.ca →CADDAC
Centre for ADHD Awareness, Canada. Education, advocacy, and support for individuals with ADHD and their families.
Visit caddac.ca →ADHD Canada
Comprehensive information on ADHD treatment, diagnosis, and living with ADHD in Canada.
Visit adhdcanada.ca →Adult ADHD Centre
Get a life-changing diagnosis and treatment plan. Make sense of your past and your future.
Visit adultadhdcentre.com →Need help right now? The 24/7 crisis counselling line for lawyers is available any time. Confidential, no referral needed.
Call 1-877-498-6898"Let's have an honest conversation."
I work with lawyers planning their next move and with the firms and general counsels who need to find the right one.
