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Legal salaries are bimodal.

https://www.nalp.org/salarydistrib

Any idea why there's such a narrow peak at 160k? Is it a tax efficiency thing or are law firms colluding on salary? (or something else?)

It’s the starting salary at biglaw firms. The law profession is very guild-like in it’s hiring practices.

Most attorneys don't work at large firms and don't make nearly as much money as the popular imagination would hold it. There is a huge glut of law school graduates that is driving down wages outside of the white shoe firms, as well.

He clearly stated he needed W2 income. It probably doesn't matter if it pays less than 1099.

He also mentioned that his checking account is overdrawn, so I think he may need this income.